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Sandia Pueblo Gov. Esquipula Chavez and Lt. Gov. EdwardPaisano cut a ribbon opening a giant white tent west of I-25 and north of Roy Road, under an arched sign with red lettering that read: Casino Sandia. The year was 1984 and Sandia Pueblo was pioneering Bingo gambling on their lands 17 years before native tribes would sign compacts with the federal government officially allowing games on indigenous lands.

Excited patrons entered the tent 鈥渇or the first time to hear letters and numbers announced and mark their bingo card,鈥 said Joanie Griffin, the emcee at Thursday鈥檚 ribbon cutting ceremony marking the reopening on the Bingo Hall. 鈥淲hat ensued was the foundation of new friends, fellowship, fun and the landmark for what is now Sandia Resort & Casino.鈥

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