In an effort to cash in on tribal gaming in New Mexico, the Pueblo of Nambé had big plans to open a unique gaming venue in Santa Fe, offering a Star Trek style experience. However, this was not to be, and the tribe would instead decide to open a smaller venue in 2016, with the boutique casino titled Nambé Falls Casino. At just 1,700 square feet, the casino opened in February 2016 and offered just 180 slot games. After the casino experienced a continual decline in business, the tribe decided to call it quits in September.
According to the Santa Fe New Mexican, the casino first saw revenues of $1.1 million within the first few months of opening but this soon dwindled down to just over $11,000 during the late summer months of July, August and into September. This significant downturn caused the casino to shut down on September 8th.
The gaming facility was located very close to other tribal casinos in New Mexico, so this might have also contributed to the low revenue problems. The Buffalo Thunder Resort is located less than a mile away to the south while the Cities of Gold Casino is just five miles away. Also within the vicinity is the Camel Rock Casino.