NIGC extends comment period on Class II proposal

Tuesday, December 5, 2006  

The National Indian Gaming Commission has extended the comment period on its proposed Class II definitions, classification standards and technical regulations.

Comments will be accepted until December 15. "We are continuing to receive productive and thoughtful comments on this critically important issue," said NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen. "We want to give everyone with an interest the opportunity to have their comments on the record."

The proposal has generated significant opposition from tribes, who say it will wreck their economies by making certain games illegal without state approval. Some independent vendors say it drive them out of the Class II market.

The definitions, classification standards, and technical regulations seek to clarify the difference between Class II games like bingo and Class III games like slot machines. The NIGC says technology has blurred the line between the two classes.