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Chief Compliance Officer
Tom Cunningham
Tom Cunningham (Seminole Nation) is the Chief Compliance Officer at the National Indian Gaming Commission, an independent federal regulatory agency established within the Department of the Interior. In this position, Cunningham monitors compliance of tribal gaming operations on Indian lands in accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC regulations for the Division of Compliance, which encompasses eight Regional Offices and the Audit Program. Cunningham, in partnership with the NIGC Chief Information Officer, oversees the NIGC’s Cybersecurity Working Group. In addition, Cunningham provides support in implementing the Commission’s priorities.
Prior to becoming Chief Compliance Officer in November of 2020, Cunningham served as the Director since June of 2020 and Assistant Director of Compliance since April of 2017. Prior to that, he served as the Region Director of NIGC’s Oklahoma City office since 2009 and as Field Investigator for the NIGC’s Tulsa, Okla. Office beginning in 2007. In these roles, Cunningham ensured tribal compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, by providing training and technical assistance. Before joining the NIGC, Cunningham spent thirteen years in law enforcement including assignment to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and working joint investigations with the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the US Attorney’s Office. Cunningham also served as Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Gaming Commission Chairman in 2003.
Cunningham is the recipient of the 2006 Director’s Award for Distinguished Service from the White House’s Office of the National Drug Control Policy and the 2017 NIGC Chairman’s Award.
Cunningham received a Bachelor of Science degree from East Central University, Ada, Okla. in 2003 and completed course work in the Master’s of Jurisprudence from the University of Tulsa, Okla.
Updated 12/09/2021
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act created the National Indian Gaming Commission to support tribal self-sufficiency and the integrity of Indian gaming. NIGC oversees the efficient regulation of more than 500 gaming establishments operated by 250 tribes across 29 states.