NIGC on media campaign for Class III regulation

Monday, December 4, 2006  

With just a few days left in the 109th Congress, the National Indian Gaming Commission is using the media to argue for more federal regulation of Class III gaming.

The NIGC never had the authority to regulate games such as slot machines, a federal appeals court recently ruled. That means it's up to Congress to change the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act to give the agency power over the Class III market.

The decision came out October 20, nearly two months ago. But in just the past week, NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen has appeared in the pages of USA Today, The Oklahoman and The New London Day of Connecticut to question the well-being of tribal casinos.

"Everybody, including tribal government and casinos, tend to operate a little better when they have someone on the outside looking over their shoulder," Hogen told The Day.

Hogen has told the media that 15 Class III audits have been suspended since the ruling. He said tribes in Oregon, California, Arizona, Minnesota and Oklahoma have shut their doors on the NIGC.

Get the Story:
Loss feared of control of Indian gaming (The Oklahoman 12/2)
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Indian Gaming Getting Less Oversight After Court Ruling (The New London Day 12/2)
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