The National Indian Gaming Commission has delayed the effective date of some "housekeeping" regulations until the end of the year.

The regulations were published in the Federal Register on July 27. They were due to go into effect on August 26 but will instead be delayed until December 31.

The changes seek to reduce the fee reporting burdens on tribes, remove obsolete provisions, clarify existing appellate procedures, update and clarify management contract procedures, clarify various definitions and simplify audit requirements. Most appear to be housekeeping in nature.

Other more significant changes center on the "Indian lands" definition of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The regulations allow the NIGC to examine whether a management contract refers to a site that may or may not be eligible for gaming.

Additionally, the regulations allow the NIGC to order the closure of a facility that is located on a site that may not be eligible for gaming.

Get the Story:
Press Release: NIGC Extends the Effective Date of Updated Regulations (NIGC 8/25)

Federal Register Notice:
Amendments to Various National Indian Gaming Commission Regulations (July 27, 2009)