PR-82 01-2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau
(202) 632-7003
NIGC Extends Public Comment Period for Proposed Class II Regulations
Washington DC, January 15, 2008 — The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announced an extension of the public comment period on proposed Classification Standards for Class II games, Definitions for “Electronic or Electromechanical Facsimile,” Technical Standards for Class II games and Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) for Class II games. The original 45-day comment period which had been scheduled to end on January 24, 2008, will now conclude on March 9, 2008. Details will be published in the Federal Register this week.
The proposed regulations seek to distinguish technologic aids that Indian Tribes may utilize to play bingo and similar Class II games without a Tribal-State compact from Class III slot machines and electronic facsimiles of games of chance that require a Tribal-State compact. The proposed MICS regulations seek to provide regulations to protect tribal assets while still allowing tribes to utilize technological advances in the gaming industry.
Many Tribes and members of the public have requested the opportunity to study information the NIGC is gathering for an economic impact study on the proposed rules to demonstrate what level of impact the proposed regulations may have on the Industry. This study is near completion and will be available on NIGC’s website www.nigc.gov.
Commission Chair Phil Hogen said, “Class II gaming has been the bedrock of Indian gaming and continues to play a vital role in the expanding industry. In order to preserve and respect the importance of Class II gaming, we are moving forward keeping all comments in mind and will act in a way to distinguish Class II gaming from Class III gaming.”
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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.
