In the decision, the gaming commission says there will be nosignificant environmental impact to the tribe's land due to thedevelopment. The casino will be built on 30 acres along US Hwy. 84,15 miles north of Santa Fe. With the hurdle cleared, work canbegin. The casino is slated to open in third quarter 2008. Andre M.Hilliou, CEO and director of Full House Resorts Inc., tellsGlobeSt.com that a specific groundbreaking date hasn't beendetermined, but it will take about one year to complete thedevelopment.

Although there is plenty of casino competition in the area,Hilliou says the market continues to be good for qualityentertainment establishments. "This is the second closest casino toSanta Fe, which has great demographics," says Hilliou, whosecompany also will manage the development after its completion.

William Thompson, a professor of public administration andspecialist in gambling regulation for the University of Nevada/LasVegas, says in a market like Santa Fe, a casino's locationdetermines its success. He adds that the New Mexico city is atourist destination, but its visitors typically don't go there forgambling as they would to Shreveport, LA or Las Vegas.