PR-96 08-2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau
(202) 632-7003
MICS Advisory Committee Meets in Washington DC
Washington, DC, August 1, 2008 — The group of experienced tribal gaming regulators and operators recently named to serve on the National Indian Gaming Commission’s (NIGC) standing Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) Advisory Committee today completed their first working session in Washington, DC.
Earlier Chairman Phil Hogen announced the individuals selected from a list of tribal gaming experts, nominated by their tribal leadership, to serve on the group that will confer with the NIGC Audit staff to suggest measures for the Commission to consider adopting to help insure that the internal control standards employed in the Indian gaming industry remain current and effective, and keep pace with changing technology and gaming practices and trends.
The newly-staffed MICS advisory committee met for three days, and reviewed proposed revisions and additions proposed by the NIGC Audit staff for NIGC’s regulations and submitted proposals for that staff and the NIGC to consider. Much of the group’s initial session focused on procedures gaming facilities utilize in the management of their cages, accounting systems and internal audit divisions.
Below is a list of committee members who will serve on the MICS Advisory Committee as Tribal Representatives:
Lorna Skenadore, Assistant Gaming Manager at Oneida Bingo Casino, Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin;
John Clemens, Internal Auditor, Santa Ana Star Casino, Pueblo of Santa Ana;
Andrea Matheny, Gaming Commission, Internal Auditor, Yakama Legends Casino, Confederated Tribes of Yakama Nation;
Tim McLaughlin, Executive Director, United Auburn Gaming commission;
George Hennigsen, Gaming Commission, Chair, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashantucket Pequot;
Joseph Carlini, Gaming Commission, Executive Director, Agua Caliente Casino, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians;
Richard Chissoe, Gaming Commission, Commissioner, Hominy Million Dollar Elm, Osage Nation;
Linda McGhee, Compliance Enforcement Manager, Poarch Band of Creek Indians;
Patrick Talcott, Compliance Director, SolCasino, Arizona Indian Gaming Association; and
Mark Fox, Gaming Commissioner, Executive Director, Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota.
The selection of the membership of the group was done in part to insure that all regions of tribal gaming were represented, and that the various profiles of the gaming facilities—large, small, Class II, Class III and both—were represented.
The process to review and revise the existing MICS will be extensive and on-going, and several such sessions, held over a period of months, will be required before recommendations are submitted to the Commission for its consideration.
Chairman Hogen stated “We are delighted with the talent and experience of the Committee membership, and with the enthusiasm and diligence with which they are undertaking this task. They’ve been insightful in their observations and comments, and certainly have not been bashful to point out their concerns when they feel NIGC proposals overreach, or infringe on sovereign tribal prerogatives. This will help us achieve a better, more appropriate set of standards.”
The Advisory Committee will likely re-convene in October, on-site at a host tribal gaming facility.
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The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.
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