PR-83 02-2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau
(202) 632-7003
NIGC to Publish Facility License Regulations
Washington DC February 1, 2008 — The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) will publish final facility license regulations in the Federal Register today. These regulations will go into on March 3, 2008.
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) which Congress enacted in 1988 requires that tribes must license their gaming facilities and that when they build and operate gaming facilities, they must make provisions for protection of the environment and health and public safety. Under the new regulations, before a new gaming facility opens, a tribe will be required to submit to the Chairman a notice that it is considering issuing a new facility license, along with certain Indian lands information. Further, the facility licenses must be renewed at least once every three (3) years at all new and existing facilities. With each facility license issuance or renewal, a tribe will certify that it has identified and enforces the environmental and public health and safety laws applicable to its gaming operation(s), and that it is ensuring that it adequately protects the environment and public health and safety. Concurrent with the facility license certification, a tribe will submit a list identifying the laws, resolutions, codes, policy standards or procedures adopted by the tribe regarding environmental and public health and safety in its gaming operation.
For further information on the proposed regulations, please visit our website at www.nigc.gov
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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.
