The industry Indian Gaming Regulatory Act

1 industry

1.1 regulations
1.2 national indian gaming association (niga)
1.3 indian gaming working group (igwg)

the industry

the recent indian gaming statistics, provided national indian gaming commission (nigc), indicate there approximately 360 indian gaming establishments in united states. these casinos operated approximately 220 federally recognized tribes, , offer class i, class ii , class iii gaming opportunities. revenues generated in these establishments can substantial.

tribal casinos located in eastern united states generated $3.8 billion in fy02. located in central united states recorded gross revenues of approximately $5.9 billion, while located in western united states generated close $4.8 billion. of revenues generated in indian gaming industry indian casinos located in, or near, large metropolitan areas. currently, 12% of indian gaming establishments generate 65% of indian gaming revenues. indian gaming operations located in populous areas of west coast (primarily california) represent fastest growing sector of indian gaming industry.

there 565 federally recognized tribes in united states. while not tribes seek establish tribal gaming establishments, more may so. additionally, many of non-federally recognized tribes seeking federal recognition gain access indian gaming opportunities , other benefits of federal relationship.

regulations

the act s purpose provide statutory basis operation of gaming tribes promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, , strong tribal governments. igra provides basis regulation of indian gaming adequate to: shield organized crime , corrupting influences; ensure tribe primary beneficiary of gaming revenues; , ensure indian gaming operations fair , honest operator , players.

indian gaming revenues grew $100 million in 1988 $16.7 billion in 2003. since 2009, on $26.5 billion has been generated yearly. on 220 tribes in 29 states conduct 350 indian gaming operations. although gaming has caused economic growth among many tribes, has become attractive target criminal groups hope profit illegal betting, embezzlement, etc. tribes responsible keep casinos honest , under control; however, rapid growth of indian gaming, federal agencies became involved in keeping indian casinos crime-free. igra established independent federal regulatory authority gaming on indian lands, federal standards gaming on indian lands, , national indian gaming commission (nigc).

nigc s headquarters located in washington, d.c. managed chairman, appointed president of united states, , has 5 regional divisions. nigc regional headquarters located in portland, oregon; sacramento, california; phoenix, arizona; st. paul, minnesota; , tulsa, oklahoma. nigc s mission regulate gaming activities on indian lands purpose of shielding indian tribes organized crime , other corrupting influences. seeks ensure indian tribes primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue , assure gaming conducted , honestly. in order achieve this, commission authorized conduct investigations; undertake enforcement actions, including issuance of violation, assessment of civil fines, and/or issuance of closure orders; conduct background investigations; conduct audits; , review , approve tribal gaming ordinances.

nigc auditors , investigators ensure indian gaming establishments complying minimum gaming standards outlined in igra. accomplish this, nigc auditors conduct yearly audits of gaming records maintained indian gaming establishments and, when appropriate, investigate regulatory matters. nigc has major responsibility in growing indian gaming industry. based on congressional mandate, dependent on fbi and/or other federal agencies investigate allegations of criminal activity in indian gaming establishments.

the national indian gaming association (niga)

the national indian gaming association (niga) nonprofit organization founded in 1985 made of 184 indian nations, additional nonvoting associate members. purpose of niga protect , preserve general welfare of tribes striving self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises in indian country, , maintain , protect indian sovereign governmental authority in indian country. niga seeks advance lives of indian people economically, socially, , politically. fulfill mission, niga works federal government , members of congress develop sound policies , practices , provide technical assistance , advocacy on gaming issues. niga s office building located in washington, d.c. niga headquarters building purchased tribal collective. first structure owned native americans in washington, d.c.

the indian gaming working group (igwg)

in february 2003, in effort identify , direct resources indian gaming matters, fbi , nigc created indian gaming work group (igwg). igwg s purpose identify resources needed address pressing criminal violations in area of indian gaming. group consists of representatives variety of fbi subprograms (i.e. economic crimes unit, money laundering unit, lcn/organized crime unit, asian organized crime unit, public corruption/government fraud unit, cryptographic racketeering analysis unit, , indian country special jurisdiction unit) , other federal agencies, include department of interior office of inspector general (doi-oig), nigc, internal revenue service tribal government section (irs-tgs), department of treasure financial crimes enforcement network (fincen), department of justice (doj), office of foreign assets control (ofac), department of treasury, , bureau of indian affairs office of law enforcement services (bia-oles). igwg meets monthly review indian gaming cases deemed have significant impact on indian gaming industry. result of these meetings, several investigations have been initiated. igwg through member agencies has provided financial resources, travel funds, liaison assistance, personnel resources, coordination assistance , consultation.

the igwg works follows:

to detect presence of illegal activity in indian gaming industry law enforcement offices jurisdiction in indian gaming violations should:

^ bulletin no. 04-2 . national indian gaming association (niga). retrieved 26 october 2011. 
^ . national indian gaming association (niga). retrieved 26 october 2011. 
^ government performance , results act strategic plan fiscal years 2009 – 2014 . national indian gaming commission. retrieved 7 december 2011. 
^ darian-smith, eve. new capitalists:law, politics, , identity surrounding casino gaming on native american land, belmont, ca: wadsworth/thomson learning, 2004