NIGC Meets Class II Advisory Committee

Washington DC, January 25, 2007 — Today the Game Classification Standards Advisory Committee met to hear comments regarding Class II technical standards.  Over the last 50 days, tribal leaders, game manufacturers and tribal gaming regulators met with tribal representatives of the Advisory Committee, and have worked diligently to develop recommendations for Class II technical regulations.  The meeting was held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia so that the Advisory Committee could report on the progress this group has made.

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.

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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