NARA decision protects confidentiality of tribal casino records

Wednesday, April 17, 2013  

The National Archives and Records Administration has confirmed that tribal audits submitted to the National Indian Gaming Commission are not public records.

Tribes raised concerns about the audits they are required to submit under 25 CFR Part 571. NIGC worked with NARA to clarify that the records are to be considered temporary.

“We are pleased with NARA’s decision to categorize audited financial statements of Indian gaming operations as temporary records,” NIGC Chairwoman Tracie Stevens said in a press release. “This decision protects the proprietary financial and business records of tribes.”

As temporary records, NIGC will retain the tribal audits for a period of seven years and three months.