Indian Gaming > Indian Affairs Committee to consider gaming bill

March 22, 2004

Indian Affairs Committee to consider gaming bill

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday, March 24, on a bill to amend the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988.

S.1529, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2003, would authorize minimum internal control standards for tribal casinos, adopt a tribal consultation policy for the National Indian Gaming Commission and provide direction for federal approval of revenue-sharing compacts.

Indian gaming leaders oppose the imposition of the MICS on the $14.5 billion industry, saying regulation is up to tribes and states. They also want the bill to address the Seminole Tribe v. Florida Supreme Court decision, which allows states to refuse to negotiate gaming compacts with tribes by raising a sovereign immunity defense.

This week's hearing coincides with the impact week meeting of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association in Washington, D.C.