NIGC reports positive government-to-government consultations

PRIOR LAKE, Minnesota -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is pleased to report successful government-to-government consultations took place during the 16th Annual Great Plains/Midwest Indian Gaming Conference & Trade at Show Mystic Lake Casino May 20 -21, 2008. The calendar of events made for a great deal of interaction between the NIGC and trade show participants.

Tribal delegations scheduled time to discuss an array of issues, but focused on a few major issues facing the Indian gaming community such as recent facility license regulations, proposed Class II regulations, training and technical assistance and how improvements might best be made on the consultation process itself. During a task force meeting, Chairman Hogen updated the participants on other issues facing the NIGC.

"The NIGC feels that events like these are time well spent. We have an opportunity to reach out to many Tribal delegations who will be attending the same event," NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen stated. He continued, "This time around, the Commission allowed ample time for the Tribal delegations to provide their concerns by opening up the discussion for them to discuss anything on their minds."

With time constraints, the NIGC was able to schedule consultation for 12 Tribal delegations during the Great Plains/Midwest Indian Gaming Conference and Trade Show. The Commission will accommodate additional government-togovernment consultations with Tribes during upcoming events including the National Congress of American Indians mid-year meeting in Reno, Nevada, in June, the Northwest Indian Gaming Conference in mid-July, and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association's annual meeting and Trade Show in early August in Oklahoma City.