[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)] [Notices] [Pages 53658-53659] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 97-27274] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION Notice of Public Hearing and Call for Public Comment ACTION: Notice of public hearing and call for comment. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announces a public hearing on the effect of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and NIGC regulations on Internet gambling conducted by Indian Tribes. DATE: The public hearing will be held on Friday, November 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C. An open forum for public participation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. ADDRESS: The public hearing will be held at the Department of Interior, Main Auditorium, 1849 C Street, Washington, DC. WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: Interested parties are invited to submit comments and materials to the NIGC. Such submissions should be sent to Tina Bloomquist, NIGC, 1441 L Street, NW, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005. The comment period closes December 5, 1997. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina Bloomquist, NIGC (see ADDRESS section) at (202) 632-7003. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Public Hearing The NIGC will hear presentations from invited panelists representing Federal, State, Tribal and Corporate interests. There will be an open forum session of approximately two hours for the public to address the NIGC on issues relevant to the topic. Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at the hearing should submit a request, in writing, to Tina Bloomquist at the NIGC address listed above, no later than October 30, 1997. Open forum participants should provide their name, organization (if any), address and phone number. Oral presentations will be limited to five minutes per speaker. Witnesses and panelists should prepare their remarks in writing and submit those remarks to the NIGC prior to the hearing. Written remarks should be limited to 5 pages, single spaced. Witnesses and panelists should bring 10 copies of their written remarks to the hearing. Such remarks will become part of the public comment materials avaialble for inspection. II. Written Submissions Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission to Tina Bloomquist at (202) 632-7066. Comments may be filed before, during or after the hearing, but no later than December 5, 1997. Written comments should include the following information: 1. Name and affiliation of the individual responding; 2. If applicable, information on the submitter's organization, including the type of organization (e.g., business, trade group, university, or non-profit organization) and the respondent's position. III. Background The NIGC was created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq. The NIGC is responsible for the regulation of most forms of gaming on Indian lands. Several Indian tribes currently offer gambling opportunities over the Internet, and others have expressed interest in doing so. A significant [[Page 53659]] amount of controversy exists over the legality of the use of the Internet by Indian Tribes as a means of offering gaming. Of particular note is the requirement of the IGRA that gaming by Indian Tribes be conducted ``on Indian lands.'' 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2710(b)(1), Sec. 2710(d)(1) and 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2703(4). Particpants in the hearing, and those submitting written comments are asked to consider the following questions: 1. How does the requirement under IGRA that tribal gaming be conducted ``on Indian lands'' affect the ability of the tribes to engage legally in Internet gambling? 2. What is the effect of other federal gambling statutes on tribal Internet gambling? 3. What is the scope of available Internet gambling offered by Indian tribes today? 4. What, if any, legislative or regulatory changes are required to clarify the effect of the IGRA on tribal Internet gambling? 5. What are the challenges implicit in regulating Internet gaming on Indian lands? Philip N. Hogen, Commissioner, National Indian Gaming Commission. [FR Doc. 97-27274 Filed 10-14-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7567-01-M