Former NIGC chairman singles out Oklahoma as lacking regulation

Monday, August 2, 2010  

Phil Hogen, the former chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, says regulation in Oklahoma isn't as strong as it could be.

Hogen, who tried to shut down tribes in the state for offering certain types of Class II electronic machines, told The Tulsa World that "Oklahoma got into compacts late." He said Oklahoma's primary goal is not regulation but "getting their revenue share."

Oklahoma is home to more gaming facilities than any other state .Tribes offer a mix of Class II and Class III gaming and Hogen says that's an issue.

"And when you mix the two, if you don't have oversight of it, it's kind of hard to sort it out," Hogen told the paper.

In October 2006, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that NIGC lacks authority to impose regulations on Class III gaming. The court said the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act leaves that role to tribes and states through the compacting process.

During the Bush administration, Hogen asked Congress to overturn the decision. But his successor, Tracie Stevens, said she wants to review the issue before making any decisions on how to proceed.

Get the Story:
Casino oversight scrutinized (The Tulsa World 8/2)

Committee Hearing:
OVERSIGHT HEARING on Indian Gaming (July 29, 2010)

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Senate Indian Affairs Committee sets July 29 hearing on gaming (7/23)