Protecting
Indian Country from Crime
THE INDIAN GAMING WORKING GROUP
Indian
gambling revenues have grown from $100 million in
1988 when the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was enacted,
to $15 billion in 2003, and now outpace the gambling
operations of Las Vegas and Atlantic City combined.
Approximately 360 Indian gambling related operations
are currently conducted by over 220 tribes throughout
28 states. While this phenomenal growth has been an
economic boon to many Native American tribes, it has
unfortunately increased the potential for organized
crime groups to become a corrupting influence and
to profit from illegal schemes such as embezzlement,
illegal betting, and other gaming scams.
The
tribes themselves provide the primary day-to-day due
diligence to keep the facilities honest and fair for
both players and operators. However, the threat posed
by organized crime calls for the involvement of federal
agencies to assist tribes in keeping Indian casinos
crime free.
The
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act gives the FBI federal
criminal jurisdiction over acts directly related to
Indian casino establishments, including those located
on reservations under state criminal jurisdiction.
As part of its efforts to combat crimes related to
Indian gambling, the FBI spearheaded the creation
of the Indian Gaming Working Group (IGWG), consisting
of the Department of Interior Office of the Inspector
General, National Indian Gaming Commission, Internal
Revenue Services-Tribal Government Section, Department
of Treasury Financial Crimes Enforcement Center, the
U.S. Department of Justice, and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs Office of Law Enforcement Services.
With
oversight from the FBI's Indian Country/Special Jurisdiction
Unit, the IGWG works to ensure the honesty and fairness
of Indian gambling activities for visitors, and fights
organized crime groups attempting to commit embezzlement
and other scams. Since its creation in February 2003,
the IGWG has significantly enhanced inter-agency cooperation,
and allowed its members to pool resources, and to
develop and execute effective strategies to investigate
and prosecute Indian gambling related crime.
The
public is encouraged to contact the nearest FBI office
if they are aware of any wrongdoing on Indian reservations.
All contacts remain confidential.
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