For Immediate Release

October 6,2003

NIGC Announces Plans to Amend Fee Regulations

Washington, D.C.-The National Indian Gaming Commission announced plans today to amend its regulations on fees so that the regulation is consistent with Congress's directives for the agency's funding. Earlier this year, Congress increased the maximum amount the Commission could collect from Indian gaming operations to $12 million. The proposed amendment changes the current regulation that sets the maximum at $8 million. The change will allow the Commission to collect fees from Indian gaming operations up to the maximum amount set by Congress without having to change the regulations every time Congress raises or lowers the maximum.

NIGC Chairman Phil Hogen said, "While there is currently ongoing discussion about the future level of NIGC's fee cap and funding, the amendment contemplated in the proposal is required and conforms NIGC's old regulation to the $12 million fee cap Congress established for fiscal year 2004." Hogen further commented that, "the interests of the Tribes, NIGC, Congress and the gaming public will be considered as we plan and budget for the future. Of course, having the authority to collect more fees does not mean that NIGC is required to collect the new statutory maximum."

The National Indian Gaming Commission was created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988 as an independent Federal regulatory authority for tribal gaming operations. The mission of the National Indian Gaming Commission regulate gaming activities on Indian lands for the purposes of shielding Indian tribes from organized crime and other corrupting influences; to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of their gaming operations; and to ensure that Indian gaming is conducted fairly and honestly.