[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 4 (Friday, January 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 1092]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-00082]



[[Page 1092]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

National Indian Gaming Commission


Notice of Approved Class III Tribal Gaming Ordinance

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The purpose of this notice is to inform the public of the 
approval of Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Class III gaming ordinance by the 
Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission.

DATES: This notice is applicable January 6, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dena Wynn, Office of General Counsel 
at the National Indian Gaming Commission, 202-632-7003, or by facsimile 
at 202-632-7066 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) 25 
U.S.C. 2701 et seq., established the National Indian Gaming Commission 
(Commission). Section 2710 of IGRA authorizes the Chairman of the 
Commission to approve Class II and Class III tribal gaming ordinances. 
Section 2710 (d) (2) (B) of IGRA, as implemented by NIGC regulations, 
25 CFR 522.8, requires the Chairman to publish, in the Federal 
Register, approved Class III tribal gaming ordinances and the approvals 
thereof.
    IGRA requires all tribal gaming ordinances to contain the same 
requirements concerning tribes' sole proprietary interest and 
responsibility for the gaming activity, use of net revenues, annual 
audits, health and safety, background investigations and licensing of 
key employees and primary management officials. The Commission, 
therefore, believes that publication of each ordinance in the Federal 
Register would be redundant and result in unnecessary cost to the 
Commission.
    Thus, the Commission believes that publishing a notice of approved 
Class III tribal gaming ordinances in the Federal Register, is 
sufficient to meet the requirements of 25 U.S.C. 2710 (d) (2) (B). 
Every ordinance and approval thereof is posted on the Commission's 
website (www.nigc.gov) under General Counsel, Gaming Ordinances within 
five (5) business days of approval.
    On November 22, 2022, the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming 
Commission approved Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Class III Gaming 
Ordinance. A copy of the approval letter is posted with this notice and 
can be found with the approved ordinance on the NIGC's website 
(www.nigc.gov) under General Counsel, Gaming Ordinances. A copy of the 
approved Class III ordinance will also be made available upon request. 
Requests can be made in writing to the Office of General Counsel, 
National Indian Gaming Commission, Attn: Dena Wynn, 1849 C Street NW, 
MS #1621, Washington, DC 20240 or at [email protected].

National Indian Gaming Commission.

    Dated: December 20, 2022.
Michael Hoenig,
General Counsel.

November 22, 2022
VIA E-MAIL
Walter Echo-Hawk, President,
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Business Council 881 Little Dee Drive
Pawnee, Oklahoma 74058
Re: Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Revised Gaming Ordinance

Dear Mr. Echo-Hawk:

    This letter responds to your September 2, 2022 request for the 
National Indian Gaming Commission Chairman to review and approve the 
Revised Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Gaming Ordinance. The Pawnee 
Nation of Oklahoma Business Council approved the revisions to the 
Pawnee Nation Gaming Ordinance on August 23, 2022 pursuant to 
Statute #22-04 and made technical amendments on October 27, 2022 
pursuant to Statute #22-06. These revisions include the 
authorization of Class I gaming; modifications to the Nation's 
Gaming Commission including assignment of responsibilities between 
the Gaming Commission as a body and the Gaming Commission's staff; 
clarification of the process for enforcement actions; and the 
distinction between civil and criminal violations. Thank you for 
bringing these gaming ordinance amendments to our attention and for 
providing us with a copy. The ordinance is approved as it is 
consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC 
regulations. If you have any questions concerning this letter or the 
ordinance review process, please contact Staff Attorney Danielle Wu 
at [email protected].

Sincerely,
E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman

[FR Doc. 2023-00082 Filed 1-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7565-01-P