NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen stated “The Commission is extremely appreciative of the great interest which tribes and gaming equipment manufacturers have taken in the effort to craft regulations for the equipment used by tribes to play bingo and other Class II games. An unprecedented level of communication and cooperation was demonstrated in the intense effort a working group of gaming manufacturers and gaming tribes devoted to drafting and presenting proposed technical standards to NIGC’s Tribal Advisory Committee, which that Advisory Committee delivered to the Commission today. While the Commission has not yet had the opportunity to fully review the recommendations which were received, we think the fresh approach reflected in this package—which focuses on the game system, not just “player boxes”-- has the potential of addressing many of the Commission’s concerns relating to insuring the integrity of Class II gaming played with technological aids.” Hogen continued “The need to have standards that protect the integrity of Class II technologic aids is as great today as it has ever been, and
hopefully these sincere efforts of the Indian gaming industry will assist the Commission in completing this task in the near future.”
The comment period for Class II technical regulations will come to an end on January 31, 2007. At that time, the NIGC will review the comments and determine what will be the next step in the process.
Hopefully this means they will not hamstring Class II gaming, and devastate tribal revenues, tomorrow.
