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Fort Sill Apache Tribe defends New Mexico giveaway (12/08)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma says a giveaway at its disputed gaming facility complies with New Mexico law. The tribe awarded a vehicle at the Apache Homelands Casino last month. The state contends...

Ponca Tribe won't drop casino bid despite ruling (12/04)

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska says it will continue to pursue a casino in Iowa even after a federal judge said the tribe promised not to engage in gaming there. The tribe acquired a 5-acre...

Florida AG asks NIGC again to shut Seminole casinos (11/25)

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum sent another letter to the National Indian Gaming Commission, asking the federal agency to stop the Seminole Tribe from offering Class III games. McCollum says the tribe can't offer slot...

Opponents seek closure of Seneca Nation casino (11/18)

Opponents of the Seneca Nation continued their fight against the tribe's off-reservation casino in downtown Buffalo, New York. Citizens against Casino Gambling in Erie County wants a federal judge to shut down the Buffalo Creek...

Rep. Cole eager for Obama's nominees at NIGC (11/14)

Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma) supported John McCain in the 2008 election but the only Native American in Congress is eager for president-elect Barack Obama to appoint new members of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Cole...

Cherokee Nation brings Hard Rock to Oklahoma (11/14)

The Cherokee Nation is bringing the Hard Rock name to Oklahoma. The tribe signed a licensing deal to brand its new $155 million casino as the Hard Rock Casino Tulsa. The agreement needs approval...

Seneca Nation vows to complete casino (11/12)

The Seneca Nation will complete its off-reservation casino, re-elected president Barry E. Snyder Sr. said on Tuesday. The tribe operates a temporary facility in downtown Buffalo. Work was halted on a permanent Buffalo Creek Casino...

DOJ seeks dismissal of Ponca casino lawsuit (11/06)

The Department of Justice is seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit that seeks to stop the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska from building a casino. The states of Iowa and Nebraska sued the National Indian Gaming...

Seneca Nation defends off-reservation casino (10/23)

The Seneca Nation of New York vowed to keep its off-reservation casino open despite renewed attempts by casino opponents to shut it down. The Buffalo Creek Casino is operating in a temporary facility in...

Seneca casino opponents want NIGC held in contempt (10/22)

Opponents of the Seneca Nation want the National Indian Gaming Commission held in contempt of court for failing to shut down the tribe's off-reservation casino in Buffalo, New York. Citizens Against Casino Gambling sued...

NIGC co-hosts conference in South Dakota (10/20)

The National Indian Gaming Commission and the South Dakota Gaming Commission are co-hosting a gaming regulators and management conference later this week. The two-day conference takes place Thursday and Friday in Rapid City. NIGC Chairman...

Seneca Nation halts work at off-reservation casino (10/16)

The Seneca Nation has halted all work at its off-reservation casino in Buffalo, New York. The tribe spent $43 million towards a permanent Buffalo Creek Casino. The $333 million facility was set to open...

NIGC asked to shut down Seminole casinos (10/15)

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum is asking the National Indian Gaming Commission to stop the Seminole Tribe from offering Class III games. McCollum says the tribe can't offer slot machines and table games without a...

NIGC publishes Class II rules and withdrawals (10/10)

The National Indian Gaming Commission published two final rules for Class II gaming and withdrew two others in notices in today's Federal Register. The agency published a final rule for Minimum Internal Control Standards and...

Column: NIGC asks Seminole Tribe about Class III (10/09)

"The biggest casino of all — Wall Street — is crumbling and our 401(k)s have become 201(k)s, but the chips keep flying at the blackjack and baccarat tables at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel &...

Fort Sill Apache Tribe welcomes NIGC review of casino (10/06)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma hopes the National Indian Gaming Commission will allow a casino on ancestral land in New Mexico. The tribe wants to operate a Class II facility on 30 acres...

NIGC reconsiders Fort Sill Apache casino case (10/02)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is reconsidering an opinion that said the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma couldn't open a casino on ancestral land in New Mexico. A May 19 memorandum from the agency's...

Campbell blames NIGC for McCain's gaming bill (09/29)

Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colorado) doesn't want Indian voters to hold Sen. John McCain (R-Arizona) accountable for a controversial Indian gaming bill that tribes nationwide opposed. Campbell insists McCain introduced S.2078 at the request...

NIGA to hold mid-year meeting at Isleta Casino (09/26)

The National Indian Gaming Association is holding its mid-year session in New Mexico next week. The meeting takes place October 1-3 at the Isleta Casino and Resort. The facility is owned by Isleta Pueblo and...

Oklahoma tribes welcome death of Class II rules (09/26)

Oklahoma tribes are happy the National Indian Gaming Commission finally dumped its controversial Class II regulations. Oklahoma is the biggest Class II market. If the rules went into effect, tribes would have lost revenues and...

Judge dismisses challenge to Cowlitz casino (09/25)

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to stop the Cowlitz Tribe of Washington from building a casino. Judge Benjamin H. Settle ruled that the city of Vancouver lacked standing to sue the...

NIGC asked to shut down Seminole casinos (09/22)

Florida attorney general Bill McCollum wants the National Indian Gaming Commission to shut down the casinos operated by the Seminole Tribe. In a letter to the NIGC, McCollum said the tribe is offering Class III...

Daughter of NIGC chair works for casino developer (09/22)

The daughter of National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen is working for a developer that wants to build a casino for the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, The Oklahoman reports. Vanya Hogen was hired by...

NIGC releases five-year strategic plan (09/19)

The National Indian Gaming Commission released its first-ever strategic plan on Thursday. The plan took longer than expected to develop, NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen said in a letter to tribal leaders. He is asking for...

County support lawsuit against Ponca Tribe's casino (09/11)

The board of supervisors in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, voted to support a lawsuit aimed at stopping the Ponca Tribe from building a casino. The board last week voted against joining the state of Iowa's lawsuit...

City seeks to join lawsuits against Ponca casino (09/10)

The city of Council Bluffs, Iowa, is seeking to join two lawsuits aimed at stopping the Ponca Tribe from opening a casino. The city plans to join lawsuits filed by the state of Iowa...

Seneca Nation wants NIGC to appeal casino decision (09/09)

The Seneca Nation of New York wants the National Indian Gaming Commission to stay a notice of violation against its off-reservation casino. The tribe says the NIGC should stay the NOV in order to...

City passes resolution againt Ponca Tribe's casino (09/09)

The city council in Council Bluffs, Iowa, passed a resolution in opposition to the casino sought by the Ponca Tribe. Officials said the tribe's casino will hurt three commercial casinos in the city. "We have...

Ponca Tribe faces another opponent of casino (09/08)

The city council in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is expected to pass a resolution today that opposes the casino sought by the Ponca Tribe. The resolution backs the state's lawsuit against the National Indian Gaming...

NIGC seeks comments on 'after-acquired' lands (09/05)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is asking tribes to comment on a new policy that applies to lands acquired after the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. IGRA generally bars gaming on...

Seneca Nation appeals NIGC notice of violation (09/05)

The Seneca Nation of New York is appealing a notice of violation issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission. The tribe says the Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo will remain open while the appeal...

NIGC tells Seneca Nation to close contested casino (09/04)

The National Indian Gaming Commission issued a notice of violation to the Seneca Nation of New York, telling the tribe to close its off-reservation casino. The notice said the Buffalo Creek Casino in Buffalo...

NIGC still looking into safety at Soboba casino (09/02)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is still looking into safety issues at the casino owned by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians. The Riverside County Sheriff's Department and some citizens' groups want the Soboba...

Artvoice: The soap opera over Seneca Nation casino (08/28)

"Sometimes the lawsuit brought by a group of citizens and citizens’ organizations to block the Senecas’ downtown Buffalo casino seems like a soap opera: You think the plot is actually getting somewhere but then you...

Judge won't force closure of Seneca Nation casino (08/27)

The Seneca Nation says it will be “business as usual” at the tribe's off-reservation casino in Buffalo, New York. The tribe is disappointed that a federal judge considers the Buffalo Creek Casino to be...

Iowa sues NIGC to block Ponca Tribe's casino (08/25)

The state of Iowa made good on its threat to sue the National Indian Gaming Commission over the Ponca Tribe's proposed casino. The state says the NIGC previously said the tribe could not open a...

Alaska tribe withdraws appeal of Class II issue (08/21)

An Alaska tribe has withdrawn its appeal of a National Indian Gaming Commission decision that affects the Class II industry. The Metlakatla Indian Community asked the NIGC to review a decision by Chairman Phil Hogen...

NIGC seeks more comment on proposed regulation (08/20)

The National Indian Gaming Commission has extended the comment period on a regulation under development. The proposed regulation seeks to define the meaning of "sole proprietary interest” under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The law...

County delays decision on Ponca Tribe's casino (08/19)

Officials in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, will wait another week before taking a stance on the casino being sought by the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. The county plans to meet with the tribe before deciding...

Iowa county to weigh action on Ponca Tribe's casino (08/15)

Officials in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, will meet next week to discuss their position on the controversial Ponca Tribe casino. The tribe plans to build a casino in the county in a city called Carter...

Oklahoma tribes meet for gaming conference (08/12)

The Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association hosted its 14th annual conference this week. Attendees discussed the rapid growth of gaming in the state. Tribes operate more than 90 casinos, more than anywhere else in the...

NIGC denies 'conspiracy' on Class II regulations (08/11)

National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen is rejecting criticism that he is trying to make changes in the Class II industry without going through the regulatory process. In June, Hogen withdrew two controversial regulations...

NIGC visits Soboba casino amid violence fears (08/08)

The National Indian Gaming Commission inspected the casino owned by the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians in California on Thursday. The visit was described as routine though it comes amid fears of violence on the...

San Pasqual Band seeks to assure gaming investors (08/05)

The company that runs the casino owned by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians is seeking to reassure investors. The tribe is going through a leadership crisis but the San Pasqual Casino Development Group...

NIGC investigates Seneca-Cayuga checks (08/05)

A leadership dispute within the Seneca-Cayuga Tribe of of Oklahoma has drawn the attention of the National Indian Gaming Commission. Newly elected leaders said former chief Paul Spicer wrote severance checks to former employees of...

California county weighs gaming referendum (08/05)

Supervisors in Butte County, California, are considering a referendum that asks voters about future tribal casinos. The county is suing the National Indian Gaming Commission in hopes of blocking the Mechoopda Tribe from building a...

County sheriff asks NIGC to close Soboba casino (07/30)

Tensions between the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the Riverside County Sheriff's Department don't seem to have eased following the signing of a mediation agreement. Citing a lack of cooperation from the tribe, Sheriff...

Fort Sill Apache Tribe not worried about new rules (07/28)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma says new gaming rules won't apply to its casino site in southern New Mexico and the Bureau of Indian Affairs agrees. The rules apply to land acquired after...

DOJ defends gaming on Seneca Nation fee lands (07/24)

The Department of Justice says a new interpretation of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act allows tribes to engage in gaming on restricted fee lands. Government attorneys point to the new Section 20 regulations that...

Ponca Tribe has big plans for casino in Iowa (07/21)

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska plans to announce partnerships to build a major casino in Iowa. Chairman Larry Wright said the tribe's facility will rival commercial casinos in Iowa. "It's not going to be...

NIGC subpoenas Fort Sill Apache Tribe (07/17)

The National Indian Gaming Commission issued a subpoena to the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma over gaming-related activities on the tribe's trust land in New Mexico. A July 15 letter requests information about a...

Gaming foes seek closure of Seneca Nation casino (07/11)

Opponents of the off-reservation casino owned by the Seneca Nation of New York said they have heard nothing from the Bush administration about the status of the facility. Attorney Cornelius D. Murray said his clients...

Seneca Nation won't close casino despite ruling (07/09)

The Seneca Nation of New York has no plans to close an off-reservation casino even after a federal judge ruled it was illegal. The tribe opened the temporary Buffalo Creek Casino on nine acres...

San Carlos Apache Tribe faces NIGC fine over late audit (07/01)

The San Carlos Apache Tribe has been issued a notice of violation (NOV) by the National Indian Gaming Commission for failing to file an audit report in a timely manner. The tribe was issued...

Wisconsin tribes see boost in gaming revenues (06/26)

Tribes in Wisconsin saw an increase in gaming revenues in 2007, according to the latest figures from he National Indian Gaming Commission. Eleven tribes operate 25 casinos in the state. They are part of...

NIGC audits Cheyenne-Arapaho gaming revenues (06/25)

The National Indian Gaming Commission recently concluded an audit of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. The NIGC said $8.8 million in gaming revenues was diverted to a bank account controlled by the tribe's...

NIGC seeks information from Lac du Flambeau Band (06/24)

The National Indian Gaming Commission has asked the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for information about the tribe's casino. The NIGC wants to know how revenues from the Lake of the Torches...

Fort Sill Apache Tribe alleges NIGC intimidation (06/23)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribeof Oklahoma says the National Indian Gaming Commission is intimidating some of the largest tribal casino vendors. The tribe was getting ready to install Class II machines at a facility...

NIGC reports growth in tribal casino revenues (06/19)

Revenues at tribal casinos grew by five percent in 2007, the National Indian Gaming Commission reported on Wednesday. The casinos took in $26.0 billion last year, up from $24.9 billion in 2006. It was the...

NIGC warns Soboba Band about violence and casino (06/16)

The National Indian Gaming Commission has warned the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians that the tribe's casino could face closure due to violent incidents on the reservation. Three tribal members were killed in shootouts with...

Iowa to sue NIGC over Ponca Tribe's casino (06/09)

The state of Iowa will be filing a lawsuit against the National Indian Gaming Commission in hopes of stopping the Ponca Tribe from building a casino. Attorney general Tom Miller said the tribe promised not...

Jodi Rave: NIGC won't give up on Class II changes (06/09)

"A National Indian Gaming Commission regulatory proposal that could have cost tribes across the country more than a billion dollars a year is on hold, but not likely to go away. On Friday, NIGC...

NIGC withdraws controversial Class II regulations (06/06)

The National Indian Gaming Commission has withdrawn two controversial regulations that would have cost tribes more than $1 billion in revenues, Chairman Phil Hogen said on Thursday. Hogen spoke at the Oklahoma Sovereignty Symposium about...

BIA to publish final EIS for Cowlitz casino (05/29)

The Bureau of Indian Affairs is publishing the final environmental impact statement for the casino sought by the Cowlitz Tribe of Washington. The tribe wants 152 acres in Clark County places in trust. The land...

Sycuan Band draws attention with bingo machine (05/29)

State and federal regulators are looking at the electronic bingo machines being operated by the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation in California. The tribe offers about 300 of the machines at the Sycuan Resort...

New Mexico governor cheers NIGC opinion on casino (05/22)

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) claimed victory on Wednesday in a casino fight with the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma. In a press release, Richardson said an opinion from the National Indian Gaming...

U.S. Attorney cites threat to Indian gaming (05/21)

U.S. Attorney Sheldon Sperling of the Eastern District of Oklahoma says Indian gaming remains vulnerable to criminal elements. Sperling successfully prosecuted Ivy Kwok Ong for tax fraud and bribery. Ong was able to infiltrate the...

NIGC hosts consultation sessions in San Diego (04/22)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is meeting with tribes this week at the National Indian Gaming Association’s annual trade show and convention in San Diego, California. The government-to-government consultation sessions will focus on a wide...

Hogen vows to implement Class II regulations (04/18)

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing on the National Indian Gaming Commission. April 17, 2008. • Opening Statement • Testimony [8.4MB] | Q&A [10.2MB] • Webcast | Written Testimony National Indian Gaming...

Witness list for SCIA hearing on NIGC (04/16)

The Senate Indian Affairs Committee oversight hearing on the National Indian Gaming Commission takes place tomorrow at 10:30am. Don't forget to tune in Panel 1 THE HONORABLE PHILIP HOGEN Chairman, National Indian Gaming Commission THE...

City sues to block Cowlitz Tribe's casino (04/01)

The city of Vancouver, Washington, filed suit against the National Indian Gaming Commission in hopes of stopping the casino sought by the Cowlitz Tribe . The city says NIGC's approval of the tribe's gaming...

County to sue Interior over Mechoopda casino (03/28)

Supervisors in Butte County, California, voted last week to sue the Interior Department over the casino sought by the Mechoopda Tribe of California The tribe wants to build a casino on 645 acres in the...

Opinion: NIGC regulations will hurt Oklahoma (03/10)

"Last week, U.S. Reps. Dan Boren and Tom Cole held congressional oversight hearings in Miami, Okla., to investigate the economic impact of proposed federal rules to limit Class II Indian Gaming. The testimony was...

California lawmakers oppose Class II regulations (03/07)

A group of California lawmakers is asking the National Indian Gaming Commission to hold off on its Class II regulations. The 22 lawmakers say the NIGC has no role in regulating Class II games like...

Fort Sill Apache Tribe cites land settlement for casino (03/03)

The Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma has trust land in New Mexico but can it be used for gaming? That's the question everyone is trying to answer. Chairman Jeff Houser says a March 2007...

Battle rages over Fort Sill casino in New Mexico (02/29)

New Mexico state police continued to maintain a presence at the Fort Sill Apache Tribe's casino site on Thursday. Officers weren't blocking anyone from entering the tribe's 30-acre trust parcel. But Gov. Bill Richardson...

NIGC tells Fort Sill Apache Tribe not to open casino (02/28)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is warning the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma not to open a casino in New Mexico. The tribe wants to operate a Class II facility on trust land...

Oklahoma tribes worried about Class II rules (02/22)

Oklahoma tribes continued to discuss the impact of proposed National Indian Gaming Commission regulations. The rules would tighten the definition of Class II games like bingo. Some machines would end up being classified as...

Hogen expects to be back at work next week (02/21)

National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman Phil Hogen plans to return to work next week after suffering a mild stroke. Hogen, 63, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, was at his home in South Dakota...

Oklahoma tribes assail Class II regulations (02/21)

INDIANZ.COM LISTENING LOUNGE House Natural Resources Committee field hearing in Miami, Oklahoma. February 20, 2008 • Opening Statements Panel 1 - Testimony | Q&A Norm DesRosiers, Vice Chairman, National Indian Gaming CommissionPanel 2 -...

House hearing on Class II rules in Oklahoma (02/21)

The House Natural Resources Committee held a field hearing in Miami, Oklahoma, on Wednesday to discuss pending National Indian Gaming Commission regulations. Rep. Dan Boren (D-Oklahoma) chaired the hearing Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member...

House panel sets hearing on Class II regulations (02/14)

The House Natural Resources Committee is holding a field hearing in Oklahoma to discuss pending gaming regulations. The National Indian Gaming Commission is proposing rules to clarify the difference between Class II games like bingo...

House to hold hearing on Class II rules in Oklahoma (02/11)

The House Natural Resources Committee plans to field hearing in Oklahoma to discuss the National Indian Gaming Commission's proposed Class II regulations. The hearing is tentatively scheduled to take place in Miami. It was...

NIGC asks Fort Sill Apache Tribe about New Mexico site (02/11)

The National Indian Gaming Commission is asking the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma to justify its off-reservation gaming site in New Mexico. The NIGC wants to know whether the 30-acre site meets the...

Nebraska AG: Ponca Tribe 'lied' about casino plans (02/01)

The Ponca Tribe "lied" on its land-into-trust application, Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning said on Thursday. Bruning said the tribe promised to build a health care facility on a 5-acre site in Iowa. But...

Nebraska sues NIGC over Ponca casino in Iowa (01/31)

Nebraska attorney general Jon Bruning on Wednesday sued the National Indian Gaming Commission for allowing the Ponca Tribe to open a casino in Iowa. Bruning is upset that the tribe, whose headquarters are in Nebraska,...

Sen. Bingaman questions Fort Sill Apache casino (01/30)

Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico) is asking the Bush administration to explain why the Fort Sill Apache Tribe of Oklahoma is building a casino in southern New Mexico. Bingaman said the tribe agreed not...

Prairie Band wants to pay for county's attorney (01/23)

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas says it will pay for the attorney hired by DeKalb County, Illinois. The tribe wants to open a Class II facility in the county. The two sides are...

Ponca Tribe's gaming approval stirs debate in Iowa (01/18)

State officials and gaming executives in Iowa are worried that the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska could open a casino in the state. The tribe has trust land in Carter Lake, near the Nebraska border....

Ponca Tribe to discuss plans for Iowa casino (01/17)

The Ponca Tribe of Nebraska will hold a meeting on January 26 to discuss a casino in Iowa. The tribe won a ruling from the National Indian Gaming Commission over the status of trust land...

NIGC extends comment period on Class II initiatives (01/17)

Tribes have until March 9 to comment on the four controversial Class II initiatives proposed by the National Indian Gaming Commission. In notices published today in the Federal Register, the NIGC extended the comment period...

Illinois county goes over Prairie Band agreement (01/16)

Officials in Dekalb County, Illinois, went over a casino agreement with the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation of Kansas. The agreement calls for the tribe to share 2.5 percent of annual gaming revenues from a Class...

Five California tribes agree to abide by MICS (01/16)

Five California tribes have agreed to comply with the National Indian Gaming Commission's minimum internal control standards, or MICS. The MICS cover nearly every aspect of a Class III operation. But the D.C. Circuit Court...

NIGC to rule on Prairie Band land in Illinois (01/09)

The National Indian Gaming Commission will be deciding on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's plans for a gaming facility in Illinois. The tribe is currently based in Kansas. The tribe purchased land in Shabbona, Illinois,...

Cheyenne-Arapaho gaming revenues being audited (01/09)

The National Indian Gaming Commission, as well as a team of private auditors, are investigating the gaming revenues of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. The NIGC is trying to determine whether the tribe...

Washington tribes wary of Class II proposal (01/07)

Washington tribes say the National Indian Gaming Commission's proposed Class II regulations could hurt their casinos. "This jeopardizes thousands of jobs and economic opportunities," Ron Allen, the chairman of the Washington Indian Gaming Association, told...