Organizational Chart

 

Office of the Chief of Staff

The Chief of Staff implements the policies of the Commission and is responsible for the direction, supervision, and evaluation of the work of all Commission employees outside the Office of the General Counsel.

Office of the General Counsel

The Office of the General Counsel, under the leadership of the General Counsel, is the legal arm of the Commission. Chief among its many responsibilities, the office provides legal advice and counsel to the Commission. It represents the Chairman in all enforcement actions and, when needed, coordinates with the U.S. Justice Department to enforce the Chairman's enforcement actions. The office also plays an important role in handling appeals before the full Commission, and where an action of the Commission results in federal litigation, the office works closely with the Justice Department attorneys handling the case.

The office also manages the day-to-day legal affairs of the Commission, providing counsel and legal support to each division. The office plays an important role in reviewing tribal gaming ordinances and management contracts, and also provides advisory opinions on the appropriate classification of games played in Tribal gaming facilities. The office also oversees the Commission's compliance with the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

Audits Division

Recognizing that effective regulation of gaming is multifaceted and at times, requires the kind of expertise that only trained auditors can provide, the Commission created the Audits Division in June 1999. Since then, the primary focus of the Division has been monitoring compliance with the Commission's Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS). This important regulation establishes uniform internal control standards that have proven exceedingly effective in protecting the integrity of Indian gaming.

Another important responsibility of the Division is assisting the Commission's Office of Self-Regulation. When a Tribe petitions for a certificate of self-regulation, Division auditors conduct an extensive review of the records of the gaming operation and the Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authority. The results of these reviews provide valuable feedback to the Tribal government regarding regulatory compliance and enable determination as to whether a certificate should be issued.

Finally, the Division provides critical support to the Commission's Enforcement Division. The Division has facilitated the investigation of alleged financial irregularities, as well as noncompliance with per capita distribution plans. Given the cash-intensive nature of the gaming industry, trained auditors have proven an especially valuable asset in obtaining compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Contracts Division

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (Act) mandates that all management contracts and amendments to management contracts between a Tribe and a management contractor be reviewed by the Commission and approved by the Chairman before they can become effective. This responsibility, intended to shield Indian gaming from organized crime and other corrupting influences and to ensure that the Indian tribe is the primary beneficiary of the gaming revenues, falls upon the Contracts Division.

In ensuring that the contract meets the requirements established by the Act, the Division's staff works with all interested parties, including Tribal officials, management contractors, attorneys, accountants, and Tribal Gaming Regulatory Authorities. The Act also requires background investigations, satisfaction of related suitability criteria, and demonstrated compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Enforcement Division

The Enforcement Division serves as the Commission's main tool in monitoring Tribal compliance. Division employees regularly visit gaming facilities in their region, evaluating compliance with relevant laws and regulations, such as the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and Commission regulations.

Given the vastness of Indian gaming, education and outreach are among the Division's best tools in achieving compliance. As such, the Division offers monthly training programs covering a wide range of issues. These efforts are paying dividends as evidenced by the Division's compliance report, which shows significant improvement in the compliance record of gaming Tribes.

The Division also plays a critical role in processing background investigations at tribal gaming facilities. The Act requires Tribes to conduct background investigations on key employees and primary management officials, including submission of fingerprint cards to the Federal Bureau of Investigations. The Division processes literally thousands of investigative reports, fingerprint cards, and employee applications on an annual basis.

Office of Congressional And Public Affairs

The Office of Congressional and Public Affairs is responsible for the planning, coordination, and management of agency programs and activities relating to both legislative and public affairs. Among its principal duties, the Office monitors legislation affecting the Commission and advises on any necessary policy action. The Office coordinates submission of bills, resolutions, reports, testimony, and other statements on legislation to the Congress, and also prepares agency press releases, speeches, reports, and policy statements.

Administration Division

The Administration Division provides vital support and essential services to all organizational components of the Commission. All daily office support functions, including personnel management, procurement activities, and information technology support are provided by the Division. In addition to handling the Commission's fiscal and budgetary matters, the Division is also responsible for overseeing the fee collection process.