For Immediate Release
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau
(202) 632-7003
NIGC Releases Notice of Inquiry and Announces Regulatory Review Consultation Dates
Las Vegas, Nevada, November 17, 2010 — Today, the National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission) Chairwoman Tracie Stevens announced the release and publication of a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) that includes a government-to-government regional consultation schedule for the winter of 2011.
This announcement confirms the Commission’s commitment to Tribes that discussions occur prior to initiating the rulemaking process to address the need for changes before drafting proposed rules. “The Commission is eager to engage in meaningful dialogue with tribes as we begin to consider the relevance of the Commission’s current regulations for today’s industry and what can be done to improve the regulations in order that the industry is better protected,” said Chairwoman Stevens. “As the primary regulators for the Indian gaming industry, tribes and tribal regulators are uniquely positioned to provide the NIGC with relevant information and feedback. We look forward to the discussion.”
A Notice of Inquiry will be published in the Federal Register mid-November 2010 and is designed to inform the public that the NIGC is conducting a comprehensive review of all regulations promulgated to implement the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). The NOI requests input regarding which regulations need revision and what process should be utilized to revise them. The regulatory review process allows the Commission to take a fresh look at its rules in order to determine whether changes are necessary to more effectively implement IGRA.
Consistent with Executive Order 13,175 entitled “Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments” and to gather the most information possible regarding the regulation review, the Commission will hold eight consultations during January and February of 2011.
The Commission has approved a consultation schedule at the following locations, beginning in January and finishing in February of 2011:
January 11, 2011 U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego, California
January 12, 2011 Cache Creek Resort in Sacramento, California
January 14, 2011 Little Creek Resort in Shelton, Washington
January 18, 2011 Riverwind Casino in Norman, Oklahoma
January 20, 2011 Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa in Albuquerque, New Mexico
January 24, 2011 Department of the Interior South Auditorium in Washington, DC
February 1, 2011 Best Western Ramkota Hotel in Rapid City, South Dakota
February 3, 2011 Hollywood Hard Rock Hotel and Resort in Hollywood, Florida
All information on the regulatory review, including the Federal Register notice can be found by visiting our website at www.nigc.gov.
If you have questions or need additional information prior to the meetings, please contact Rita Homa, at (202) 632-7003.
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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.
Download the PDF here.
