Tribal gaming leaders and attorneys say amendments to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and proposed Class II gaming rules could hurt the $20 billion industry.

Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) is sponsoring S.2078 to beef up regulation of tribal casinos. But gaming leaders and even Phil Hogen, the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, say some provisions, particular the one requiring federal approval of gaming and gaming-related contracts, go too far.

The bill has been approved by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee but has not been set for consideration on the Senate floor. Some revisions were made that would limit the types of contracts that would be reviewed and require NIGC to consult with tribes prior to developing rules for contract review.

Separately, the NIGC has proposed new rules to help determine the difference between Class II games like bingo and Class III games like slot machines. Tribes worry that they will be lose revenues if forced to restrict the types of Class II games they can operate without a Class III compact.

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