Gambling expert says NIGC is 'Indians regulating Indians'

Monday, April 25, 2011  

A slot machine expert says the National Indian Gaming Commission has a big reason to ignore illegal gaming in Indian Country.

"NIGC’s executives are all members of Indian tribes," Bob Sertell of Casino Horizons Corp told The Mobile Press-Register. "This is Indians regulating Indians."

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act requires at least two members of the NIGC to be members of federally recognized tribes. At the moment, however, only two of the three commissioners are Indian.

In addition to not wanting to "alienate their Indian relatives and friends," Sertell told the paper that the NIGC overlooks illegal gaming because its budget is tied to tribal revenues. However, the rate is very small -- IGRA limits the amount to 0.080 percent of gross gaming revenues during a particular fiscal year.

Sertell also claims the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have the power to shut down electronic Class II games offered by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. An FBI agent "chuckled" at the suggestion, the paper reported, and a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney said the office doesn't have an "investigative arm" for such cases.

Get the Story:
FBI could raid Alabama's Indian casinos, says gambling expert (The Mobile Press-Register 4/25)
Gaming: BIG business (The Atmore Advance 4/25)

Related Stories:
NIGC confirms legality of Poarch Creek Class II bingo machines (3/22)
Alabama governor supports crackdown on Poarch Creek bingo (2/16)
Alabama attorney general targets Poarch Creek bingo games (2/15)