[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 10798]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-5656]


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NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION

25 CFR Chapter III


Minimum Internal Control Standards for Gaming Operations for 
Indian Lands

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission.

ACTION: Advance notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document announces the initiation of the rulemaking 
process and requests information relevant to implementing regulations 
governing minimum internal control standards for gaming operations 
operated on Indian lands. The Commission has determined that minimum 
internal control standards are needed to ensure the integrity of gaming 
on Indian lands and to safeguard this source of tribal revenues.

DATES: Comments in response to this advance notice must be submitted by 
April 5, 1998. The Commission will be holding a hearing on this matter 
on April 1, 1998, in Portland, Oregon.

ADDRESSES: Commentors may submit their comment by mail, facsimile, or 
delivery to: Minimum Internal Control Rule Comments, National Indian 
Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L Street N.W., Washington, DC 
20005. Fax number: 202-632-7066 (not a toll-free number). Public 
comments may be delivered or inspected from 9 a.m. until noon and from 
2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
    The public hearing will be held at the Doubletree Hotel at Lloyd 
Center, Portland, Oregon.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mia Dinh at 202-632-7003, or by 
facsimile at 202-632-7066 (not toll-free numbers.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Introduction

    The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA, or the Act), 25 U.S.C. 2701 
et seq., was signed into law on October 17, 1988. The Act established 
the National Indian Gaming Commission (the Commission). The IGRA was 
enacted for several purposes, primary among them was to provide a 
statutory basis for the operation of gaming by Indian tribes as a means 
of promoting economic development self-sufficiency and strong tribal 
governments, as well as to provide for the regulation of gaming by 
Indian tribes adequate to shield them from organized crime. The 
Commission has determined that minimum internal control standards are 
needed to ensure the intergrity of gaming on Indian lands and to 
safeguard this source of tribal revenues.
    The IGRA expressly authorizes the Commission to ``promulgate such 
regulations and guidelines as it deems appropriate to implement the 
provision of this [Act].'' 25 U.S.C. 2706(b)(10).

2. Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    After consideration of this issue, the NIGC has determined that the 
appropriate course of action is to publish an Advance Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking to collect further information.
    Before the NIGC proceeds in this area, it intends to have the 
benefit of a full airing of the issues through the public comment 
process.

3. Request for Comments

    Public comment is requested to assist the NIGC in the drafting of 
minimum internal control regulations. Comment is requested on the 
following issues:
    (a) Should standards be tiered based on the physical size of the 
operation, the amount of the gross revenues derived from gaming, or 
some other criteria? Please explain.
    (b) If yes, what tiers should be adopted. Please explain.
    (c) What standards should apply to all operations and what 
standards should apply to only one or two tiers and not the others?
    (d) What are the major internal control issues/problems that Indian 
gaming operations face?
    (e) How long should the Commission allow the tribes to implement 
internal controls that would comply with the regulations?
    The Commission solicits any additional suggestions and/or 
interpretations regarding the issues raised in this Advance Notice of 
Proposed Rulemaking.

4. Public Participation

    Interested parties are invited to submit comments on any or all of 
these and other pertinent issues related to minimum internal control 
regulations by April 5, 1998, in triplicate to Minimum Internal Control 
Rule Comments, National Indian Gaming Commission, Suite 9100, 1441 L 
Street N.W., Washington, DC 20005. Fax number: 202-632-7066 (not a 
toll-free number). All written comments submitted in response to this 
notice will be available for inspection and copying in the NIGC office 
from 9 a.m. until noon and from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
All timely written submissions will be considered in determining the 
nature of any proposal.

Authority and Signature

    This Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was prepared under the 
direction of Larry Rosenthal, Chief of Staff, National Indian Gaming 
Commission, 1441 L St. N.W., Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005.

    Signed at Washington, D.C. this 27th day of February, 1998.
Larry Rosenthal,
Chief of Staff, National Indian Gaming Commission.
[FR Doc. 98-5656 Filed 3-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7565-01-M