For Immediate Release
Contact: Shawn Pensoneau
(202) 632-7003
NIGC Announces Government-to-Government Consultation
Washington DC, June 6, 2006 - The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has finalized the government-to-government consultation schedule to meet with Tribes about recently published Class II game classification standards. On May 25, 2006, the NIGC published classification standards that provide Tribes and the gaming industry a clear set of standards to distinguish between technically aided Class II games d Class III electronic or electromechanical facsimiles.
Chairman Hogen stated "it is this Commission's experience that government to government consultations serve to strengthen understanding and cooperation. The Commission is looking forward to hearing from the tribes regarding these very important standards." Hogen continued "Because of the anticipated time constraints the Commission encourages all interested tribal governments to also sub t written comments. All written statements will become part of the permanent record."
The Commission will hold government-to-government consultation with Tribal officials and Tribal regulatory officials. In keeping with our stated policy with regard to government-to-government Tribal consultation, the Commission has reserved the following dates for consultation:
July 12-13 Washington, D.C. - Radisson Hotel (703) 920-8600
July 17-18 Bloomington, Minnesota - Sheraton Hotel (952) 835-7800
July 19-20 Denver, Colorado - Hilton Garden Inn (303) 371-9393
July 24-25 Tacoma, Washington - Sheraton Hotel (253) 572-3200
July 26-27 Ontario, California - Doubletree Hotel (909) 937-0900
August 8-9 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Renaissance Hotel (405) 228-8000
All consultations will be transcribed to become a permanent part of the record and Tribes may attend any of the reserved dates. To schedule a consultation reservation, please contact Natalie Hemlock, Special Assistant to the Commission at (202) 632-7003.
The Commission is encouraging state government officials or any interested parties in this issue to provide written comments on the proposed regulations. Pleas submit comments to NIGC Office of General Counsel, attention John Hay, 1441 L. Street Northwest, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005.
To view the NIGC government-to-government consultation policy, please visit NIGC's website at www.nigc.gov
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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