NIGC Extends Public Comment Period for Proposed Class II Technical Regulations

Washington DC, December 14, 2006 — The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announces an extension of the public comment period for proposed Class II technical regulations. Official notice will be published in the Federal Register next week. The comment period will be extended to run through January 31, 2007.

The proposed rule would add a new part to the Commission’s regulations establishing technical standards for Class II games – bingo, lotto, other games similar to bingo, pull tabs, or “instant bingo” – that are played primarily through “electronic, computer, or other technologic aids.” The proposed rule would also establish a process for assuring the integrity of such games and aids before their placement in a Class II tribal gaming operation. No such standards currently exist. The Commission has proposed this action in order to assist tribal gaming regulatory authorities and operators in ensuring the integrity and security of Class II games and gaming revenue.

“The comments received at the Tribal Advisory Committee meeting last week in Washington, DC and follow up comments we have received have given us good reason to extend the comment period for the technical regulations” said NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen. Hogen continued “We believe that our goals of assuring integrity in the industry and protecting tribal assets in a secure technological environment can be met through this set of regulations.”

The comment period for proposed Class II classification standards and Class II definitions will end tomorrow December 15, 2006.

The NIGC is an independent regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988.

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