Safeguarding the Integrity of Indian Gaming

It has been over 27 years since the enactment of the Indian Gaming Recovery Act. The industry has grown quickly. While once a $3 billion a year industry in 1995, Indian gaming now hovers around $28 billion a year. Money made from Indian gaming can have a significant impact on tribal communities. Revenues from Indian gaming often pay for schools, for roads, for health care and other governmental services that benefit tribal members. To safeguard the integrity of that industry, in 2013 the Government Accountability Office reviewed Indian gaming regulation. The final report stated that the Commission is not effectively promoting voluntary compliance with Federal guidelines related to gaming regulatory standards. Congress established a three-member Commission under the Indian Gaming Act. There is currently only one member of the Commission. Without the full membership, it is questionable how effectively the Commission may fulfil its statutory duties, such as adopting regulations, collecting civil fines, establishing rate fees and addressing temporary orders closing a gaming facility.