NIGC to hold a regulatory review consultation

WASHINGTON, D.C. (PRESS RELEASE) -- The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC/Commission) will hold a consultation on May 16, 2011 at Mystic Lake Casino and Resort in Prior Lake, Minnesota. These consultations are an opportunity for Tribal leaders to provide substantive input during the regulatory review process.

The Commission organized its review into five regulation groups. Each will proceed separately through three phases: 1) an initial phase when a preliminary draft regulation may be prepared; 2) thereafter the Commission may decide to move forward with publication of a proposed rule, if any, with an approximately sixty-day comment period; and 3) a final phase during which the Commission may decide to promulgate a final rule. Where necessary, a regulation may proceed through the regulatory review process independently from the other regulations in a particular group.

Consistent with its commitment to transparency, the Commission will continue to consult with tribal governments throughout the regulatory review process. All information related to this review process can be found on our website at www.nigc.gov then click on the Tribal Consultation on the left side of the website.

The consultation scheduled for May 16, 2011 in Prior Lake, Minnesota will cover Group One and Group Two regulations. Group One includes A Buy Indian Act regulation; Part 523 – Review and Approval of Existing Ordinances or Regulations; Part 514 – Fees; Part 559 – Facility License Notifications, Renewals, and Submissions; and Part 542 – Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class III Gaming. Group Two includes Part 573 – Enforcement; and Regulations concerning proceedings before the Commission, including: Parts 519 – Service, Part 524 – Appeals, Part 539 – Appeals, and Part 577 – Appeals Before the Commission.

The Commission invites all Tribal leaders and their designees to share their views with the Commission on the Group One regulations during the following scheduled consultation:

Date: Monday, May 16, 2011
Time: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: Mystic Lake Casino and Resort
2400 Mystic Lake Blvd.
Prior Lake, MN
Wabasha Room

For planning purposes and to accommodate all who want to attend the consultation, please RSVP to Rita Homa, Executive Secretary, at (202) 418-9807 or by e-mail at consultation.rsvp@nigc.gov.
For those Tribal leaders or designees unable to attend this consultation, we invite you to submit written comments by e-mail to reg.review@nigc.gov, or by US Mail to the National Indian Gaming Commission, Attn: Regulatory Review, 1441 L Street, NW, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005.