Indian Gaming > Senate committee to vote on IGRA bill March 29

March 10, 2006

Senate committee to vote on IGRA bill March 29

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee will vote on the S.2078, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act Amendments of 2005 at a business meeting on March 29.

The measure would give the National Indian Gaming Commission greater powers to review gaming and gaming-related contracts and regulate Class III gaming. It makes it harder for tribes to acquire lands in trust for gaming purposes.

Tribes have questioned the need to amend IGRA after 17 years. They say there are ways to address some of the perceived and actual problems of Indian gaming through regulation.

The NIGC has supported the section on Class III gaming but is seeking changes in the contract review provisions. NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen said the agency shouldn't have to review every single contract tribes make with vendors and outside investors.

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McCain sets date to vote on Indian gaming revisions (Stephens Washington Bureau 3/10)