NIGC probes Osage Nation casino management

Thursday, August 25, 2005  

The National Indian Gaming Commission is investigating the Osage Nation to determine whether the tribe's casinos are being managed without an approved management contract, The Oklahoman reports.

In an August 11 letter, the NIGC asked the tribe for a wide range of documents relating to the operation of four casinos. Osage Nation Principal Chief Jim Gray said the tribe "turned into a pretty good chunk of paperwork."

Gray said the tribe has a consulting agreement, not a management contract, with K&D Gaming. Consulting agreements are not subject to federal review but NIGC has authority over management contracts under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.

The NIGC previously investigated the Quapaw Tribe and fined the tribe $50,000 for operating a casino for three years without an approved management contract. At the time, Quapaw leaders characterized the probe as routine.

The NIGC also looked into the Chickasaw Nation and determined that its agreement with Multimedia Games was a management contract, not a consulting agreement.

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Osage casinos investigated (The Oklahoman 8/25)
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