FY 2022

Resilient and Ready

ANNUAL REPORT

NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION

Regulatory Compliance Gaming Integrity

NIGC.GOV
From the Commission

E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Indian gaming serves as the 

most effective tool in modern 

federal policy maximize most 

tribal governments’ abilities to 

retain greater governmental 

self-sufficiency. The nearly 250 

tribal governments who license 

over 500 gaming operations 

on Indian land in 29 states 

represent a nearly $40 billion 

industry with national and 

regional economic significance. 

As the industry emerges from 

the pandemic and faces a 

changing regulatory landscape, 

the following pages summarize 

and reflect on key operational 

metrics across NIGC’s divisions 

and offices during portions of 

the 2021 and 2022 calendar 

years. The Agency’s operational 

activity during FY 2022 

(October 1, 2021 – September 

30, 2022) contained in this 

E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Chairman

report represents the results 

of a regulatory and industry 

response to these occurrences. 

While the pandemic and 

changing regulatory landscape 

often served as a stress test 

for regulatory institutions, they 

have shaped NIGC’s attention to 

forward planning. 

Published during a significant 

time in the global gaming 

industry’s history, this year’s 

report also sets the stage for 

an annual reporting cycle which 

reviews the strengths and 

future opportunities of NIGC’s 

approach to protecting tribes’ 

assets derived from gaming. 

Inside, readers will find the 

Agency’s past investments and a 

forecast of industry trends that 

inform, and continue to inform, 

its policy analysis, operational 

planning, regulatory practices 

and industry assessments, 

through NIGC’s four strategic 

goals.

As NIGC starts the 2023 calendar 

year, the demands from industry 

uncertainty and expansion 

have enhanced NIGC’s capacity 

as it returns stronger, and 

with a greater capacity to 

meet its statutory charge. We 

look forward to reporting our 

progress in early 2024.

Jeannie Hovland

Jeannie Hovland

Vice Chair

FY 2022

2 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
$39 Billion

Industry 250

500

Over

Gaming 

Operations on 

Indian Land

Nearly

Tribal

Governments

NIGC.GOV 3
Commission Letter 2

Mission and Vision 5

About NIGC 6

Industry Integrity 12

Preparedness 18

Outreach 24

Agency Accountability 30

Annex 34

 NIGC Division of Compliance FY 2022 Performance 35

 NIGC Regional Map 37

 NIGC Division of Finance FY 2022 Performance 38

 NIGC Division of Public Affairs FY 2022 Performance 39

Table of Contents

FY 2022

4 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Our Mission is to 

1. Promote tribal economic development,

 self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments

2. Maintain the integrity of the Indian gaming industry

3. Ensure that tribes are the primary beneficiaries

 of their gaming activities

To fulfill its mission and achieve compliance,

NIGC works within the framework created

by IGRA by providing sound guidance,

removing unnecessary roadblocks, and

sensibly regulating gaming activities

conducted by sovereign Indian tribes

on Indian lands, without stymieing

the economic development and

entrepreneurial spirit

of tribes. The

Commission’s

Vision is to utilize

all of its regulatory tools,

including training, technical

assistance, public education,

and enforcement to empower and

partner with tribal governments to ensure regulatory compliance and gaming

integrity that respects the capabilities 

and responsibilities of each sovereign tribe.

Mission

Vision
About the NIGC

Resilient and Ready

6 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
The National Indian Gaming Commission 

was created in 1988 with the passage of the 

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), enacted 

to support and promote tribal economic 

development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal 

governments through the operation of gaming 

on Indian lands. The Act provides a statutory 

basis for the federal regulation of Indian 

gaming. IGRA establishes the Commission to 

regulate and support tribal gaming as a means 

of generating revenue for tribal communities.

See 25 U.S.C. § 2702 and 25 U.S.C. § 2704. 

NIGC Commission

The Commission consists of three full-time 

members, including a Chair and two Associate 

Commissioners. The Chair is appointed by the 

President and confirmed by the Senate. The two 

Associate Commissioners are appointed by the 

Secretary of the Interior. The Commission selects a 

Vice Chair by a majority vote. At least two members 

of the Commission shall be enrolled members of 

any Indian Tribe, and only two may be of the same 

political party. 

Our Responsibility 

The National Indian Gaming Commission is committed to fulfilling its statutory responsibilities by: 

• Regulating and monitoring certain aspects of Indian gaming

• Coordinating its regulatory responsibilities with tribal, state and federal regulatory agencies

• Providing training and technical assistance to tribal regulatory agencies and operations

• Reviewing and either approving or disapproving gaming ordinances and management contracts

• Reviewing the backgrounds of individuals and entities to ensure the suitability of those seeking 

to manage or invest in Indian gaming

• Overseeing and reviewing the conduct and regulation of Indian gaming operations

• Initiating enforcement action for violations against the IGRA and its regulations; and referring 

criminal matters to appropriate tribal, federal, and state entities

Meet our Agency

As the NIGC fulfills these responsibilities, the Agency closely reviews any indications of corrupting 

influences that may jeopardize the integrity of tribal gaming. 

In FY 2022, NIGC provided Federal oversight to tribally owned, operated, or licensed gaming 

establishments operating in twenty-nine states.

Tribally Owned,

Operated, or

Licensed

Gaming

Establishments

29States

Operating

in

527

7

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Meet Our Team: Office of the Chief of Staff 

Christina Thomas

O/Chief of Staff/HR/Admin

"As Deputy Chief of Staff, I assist in policy formation and 

strategic consultation on major issues regarding gaming 

regulations on Indian lands. I also provide integrated policy 

analysis, strategic and operational planning, and program 

coordination.

I have managed and supervised for well over 20 years and 

the one thing I have always found intriguing is an individual's 

reactions to change.

I always carry the philosophy that the one thing we can always 

guarantee is change. How we react to change determines 

how well we successfully progress forward."

Christinia Thomas | Deputy 

Chief of Staff

As both NIGC and gaming tribes emerge from the pandemic together, FY 2022 has shown the resiliency 

of the Agency to pivot from predominantly in-person outreach, site visits, and training sessions 

pre-pandemic, though almost exclusively virtual operations, to a hybrid model where both virtual and 

in-person engagements provide maximum flexibility for tribes to engage with the Agency to meet their 

operational posture.

Inside this report, readers will find this resilient approach reflected in NIGC's major accomplishments 

over the past fiscal year. This report does not capture everything the Agency does on a daily basis, but 

provides highlights of significant activities in support of the NIGC FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that help 

tribes remain ready for the challenges of FY 2023 and beyond.

The NIGC’s strategic plan is an important tool to support the Agency’s success in carrying out its statutory 

responsibilities and it serves as a tool for transparency as the Agency sets forth priorities and initiatives. 

The Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2022-2026 emphasizes four areas for the Agency’s work - support 

for industry integrity; efforts around Agency accountability; the regulatory community’s commitment to 

preparedness; and innovation in the Agency’s outreach and collaboration. This report guides readers 

through each strategic goal. Additional information and detailed metrics from key performance areas 

referenced in each chapter are in the Annex.

This report was informed by trends observed over 

the past fiscal years with FY 2022 demonstrating 

the Indian gaming industry has innovated and 

grown. An influx of new technologies and gaming 

formats in recent years presents opportunities 

for potential growth and points to a resilient and 

ready gaming industry.

About this Report |Resilient and Ready

8 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Goal

1

Goal

3

Goal

2

Goal

4

Industry Integrity

Preparedness

Outreach

Agency Accountability

From left, NIGC Chairman E. 

Sequoyah Simermeyer, Sherman 

Indian School’s Principal, Larry 

Comacho, and from the Bureau 

of Indian Education, Ms. Juanita 

Mendoza. The Bureau of Indian 

Education hosted a leadership 

training for its school principals in 

Riverside, California. After meeting 

with southern California tribal 

regulators discuss fraud and financial 

crime trends, Simermeyer had the 

opportunity to visit and discuss 

strategies for effective training and 

skills development.

Protecting the valuable tool of Indian gaming, that in many communities creates 

jobs, is the lifeblood of tribal programs, and creates opportunities for tribes to 

explore and strengthen relationships with neighboring jurisdictions by ensuring 

the industry’s integrity.

SPOTLIGHT ON

National Indian Gaming Commission's Strategic Plan

The NIGC Strategic Plan FY 2022–2026 includes four strategic goals: 

Promoting tribes’ capacity to plan for risks to tribal gaming assets, including 

man-made disaster threats, pandemics, natural disaster threats, the need to 

modernize and enhance regulatory and gaming operation workforces, or public 

health and safety emergencies.

Cultivating opportunities for outreach to ensure well-informed Indian gaming 

policy development through collaborative and diverse relationships, accessible 

resources, and government-to-government consultation. 

Meeting the tribes’ and public’s expectations for administrative processes that 

uphold good governance practices and support efficient and effective decision 

making to protect tribal assets. 

9

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
The NIGC’s organizational structure is composed of two main branches, the Office of General Counsel 

which handles legal affairs, and the Office of the Chief of Staff, which manages day-to-day activities and 

includes the Division of Compliance, Division of Finance, Division of Public Affairs, and the Division of 

Technology. 

NIGC Organizational Structure

Vice Chair Associate

Commissioner

Office of

General Counsel

Office of

Chief of Staff

Office of

Self Regulation

Diversity, EEO &

Inclusion Office

Division

of

Compliance

Human

Resources

Division

of

Technology

Internal

Audit

CJIS

Audit

Unit

IT IT

Audit

Privacy &

Records Mgmt

FOIA

Training

Program

Public

Affairs

Legislative &

Intergovernmental

Affairs

Fingerprint

Services

IT

Support

Background

Investigations Accounting

Region

Offices

Audit

Program

Safety & 

Occupational

Health

Management

Contracts Procurement

Management

& Program

Analyst

Division

of

Finance

Executive

Administration

Division

of

Public

Affairs

CyberSecurity

Financial

Services

Chairman

Current as of 09/30/2022

10 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Michael Hoenig

General Counsel

Justin Platt

Chief of Public Affairs

Dustin Thomas

Chief of Staff

Yvonne Lee

Chief Financial Officer

Thomas Cunningham

Chief Compliance Officer

Jun Kim

Chief Information Officer

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) serves as NIGC’s legal staff. It represents the Chair 

and the Commission in all Agency matters, including providing the Commission and its 

staff with legal advice on the Agency’s activities, coordinating litigation with the Department 

of Justice and other agencies, reviewing tribal ordinances and management contracts, and 

providing counsel on other matters that arise as the NIGC fulfills its regulatory mission. 

OGC also provides legal opinions to tribal gaming industry stakeholders on a variety of 

issues, including Indian lands, game classification and whether a particular agreement 

implicates management. The office handles all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.

Agency Leaders

The Division of Compliance monitors compliance of tribal gaming operations in 

accordance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by working closely with more than 5,000 

tribal regulators. The Division includes eight regional offices comprised of compliance and 

audit staff. The Division monitors through tracking, training, audit, site visits, observation, 

and reporting in conjunction with established relationships with tribal regulatory agencies. 

The Division of Finance handles the Commission’s fiscal and budgetary matters and 

supports the Agency’s day-to-day accounting and financial activities. The division performs 

the tasks as part of NIGC’s statutory and regulatory duties and is also responsible for 

the accounting and financial functions such as calculating fee rates, and collecting fees 

for Class II and Class III gaming, fingerprint, and background investigation payments; 

conducting management contract review and background investigation for third-party 

contractors; and preparing annual Gross Gaming Revenue information for public release. 

The Division of Technology oversees the Agency’s information technology, records 

management, background and licensing, fingerprint processing, and training and 

assessments including Regulating Technology Course and IT Vulnerability Assessments. 

The Division of Public Affairs provides tribes, tribal regulators, Congress, the public 

and other stakeholders with clear and accurate information about the National Indian 

Gaming Commission’s programs and activities. The division is responsible for planning, 

coordinating and managing the Agency’s media relations, community engagement, 

legislative affairs, and training programs.

The Office of the Chief of Staff (OCOS) manages day-to-day operations, which include 

the Divisions of Compliance, Finance, Public Affairs, Technology, and Administrative 

support functions. The OCOS supports the Commission by coordinating all staff activities 

to work within the framework created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) for 

the regulation of gaming activities conducted by sovereign Indian tribes on Indian lands. 

OCOS also is responsible for NIGC’s daily administrative operations, including all aspects 

of human resource management, budgeting and procurement, physical infrastructure 

management and the health and safety of Agency employees.

11

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Industry Integrity

Protecting Indian Gaming

Protecting the valuable tool of Indian gaming promotes job creation, supports the 

lifeblood for tribal programs, and empowers tribes to explore and strengthen 

relationships with neighbor jurisdictions.

As the industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, critical guidance on sports wagering, 

new technology, and statutory expectations for financial and gaming operation 

partnership arrangements have been a focus for the Agency.

Anticipating opportunities to avoid non-compliance in priority enforcement areas and 

establishing new tools for early engagement with tribal regulatory bodies remains an 

important focus.

Ongoing opportunities exist to provide attention to more efficient oversight and audit 

strategies that will focus Agency resources around the greatest locations and areas of 

risk for non-compliance. - E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman

12 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
A core part of NIGC’s mission is to promote 

industry integrity. The Agency accomplishes 

this goal through its compliance, IT, and 

financial regulatory policies and enforcement 

actions that protect the valuable tool Indian 

gaming represents for many communities. 

In FY 2022, NIGC delivered services, systems and 

oversight across the industry. 

These efforts provided tribes the opportunity 

to build and sustain resilient and ready gaming 

operations. In many communities, this creates 

jobs, sustains tribal programs, and creates 

opportunities for tribes to explore and strengthen 

relationships with neighboring jurisdictions. 

Central to our Mission Letters of Concern (LOC)

Letters of Concern address serious compliance 

issues that can potentially result in violations of 

the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and 

through technical assistance and training allow 

the tribe to remediate issues before escalation 

through voluntary compliance. 

NIGC’s Compliance Division is responsible for 

ensuring gaming operations comply with IGRA, 

NIGC regulations, and tribal gaming ordinances, 

providing training and technical assistance, 

performing investigations, audits, and special 

assignments, and recommending enforcement 

actions as necessary to the Chairman. 

On a daily basis, the Agency’s eight Region 

Offices (see map) conduct site visits, implement 

background and licensing requirements, and 

ensure tribes comply with IGRA and the Agency’s 

regulations.

In addition to assisting the Region Offices with 

investigations and special assignments, the 

division’s Audit Program audits, assesses, reviews 

and compiles annual audited financial statements 

and agreed upon procedure (AUP) reports from all 

gaming operations.

To help tribal regulators ensure they are both 

resilient and ready, the NIGC Compliance Division 

provided formal regulatory compliance training at 

66 events (in-person and virtual).

In FY 2022, the Division reached 9,599 attendees 

for a total of 81 hours of training. Separately, 

Region Office staff provided technical assistance 

to tribes in-person and by email and phone nearly 

4,000 times. 

22

Increase from FY 2021

16 6

FY 2022 Division of Compliance issued 22 

LOCs. From these, 16 were a result of Financial 

Statement and AUP Reviews. Six were a result of 

Compliance site visits. +314%

NIGC's Regional Map

Providing opportunities to 

build and sustain Resilient 

and Ready gaming 

operations.

Detailed Regional Map available in the Annex.

SPOTLIGHT ON

Regulatory Compliance

13

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Check out what's new on the NIGC website!

NIGC further strengthened its commitment to 

preserving industry integrity by launching the 

“Report a Violation” process on NIGC.GOV for 

anyone to report a potential violation to IGRA. 

The feature also includes an informational 

tab to explain NIGC’s process, jurisdictional 

considerations and expectations related to 

reporting violations.

New Tool: Report a Violation

The Division of Compliance issued 22 Letters of Concern (LOC) in FY 2022 to address serious compliance 

issues through voluntary compliance and technical assistance. 

The Agency also closed (resolved) 12 outstanding LOC's. Three from FY 2020 and nine from FY 2021. To 

ensure further industry integrity and a ready tribal gaming industry, NIGC’s Audit Program worked on 

and/or completed 30 reviews and evaluations for FY 2022, representing nearly 7,000 hours invested. 

The Division conducted nine investigations and 16 preliminary investigations in FY 2022.

NIGC Compliance Program

From the investigations conducted, five matters were referred to the Chairman for consideration of 

enforcement, resulting in two enforcement actions: 

• Notice of Violation (NOV) issued to the Yankton Sioux Tribe of South Dakota for failure to submit 

AUP reports for 2019 and 2020. This NOV resulted in a Civil Fine Assessment (CFA). 

• NOV to the Alturas Indian Rancheria for failure to timely submit audited financial statements, 

failure to timely submit AUP reports, and failure to pay fees due to the NIGC. 

Located in the Annex is a complete list of the Agency's compliance activites for FY 2022. 

30

Reviews

12

Resolved

9

16

Letters of 

Concern

~ 7000

Hours

Preliminary 

Investigations

Investigations

Audit Program

14 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
In FY 2022, NIGC’s Division of Technology increasingly focused on promoting cybersecurity awareness 

and training to the tribal community and internally throughout the Agency.

The Agency fulfilled key responsibilities by issuing periodic announcements, hosting training events, and 

conducting IT assessments and audits.

lnformation Technology Support

New to NIGC’s support of Industry Integrity, in FY 2022 the Agency fully established the CJIS Audit Unit 

(CAU). 

The CAU oversees implementation of NIGC’s external and internal compliance strategies to achieve and 

demonstrate compliance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Federal Bureau 

of Investigation and NIGC concerning Non-criminal Justice Fingerprint Submissions. 

Communication/Training FY 2022 Total

NIGC Tech Alerts & Warnings 5

Internal IT Bulletins 4

Training Events (In-Person / Virtual) 10

Technical Assistance to Tribes 37

Assessments/Audits FY 2022 Totals

IT Vulnerability Assessments* 28

Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) IT 

Audits

6

Internal Controls Assessments (ICA) 2

Communication/Training FY 2022 Total

NIGC CJIS Policy Updates 4

Technical Assistance to Tribes 124

CJIS Training Events 4

CJIS Compliance Letters to Tribes 6

Local Agency Security Officer (LASO) 

Notifications

4

*16 tribal and 12 internal assessments

15

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
SPOTLIGHT ON

Indian Gaming Revenue | FY 2021 - $39B

FY 2021 Gross Gaming Revenues (GGR) totaled a record $39B, an increase of 40% over FY 2020 and a 

13% increase compared to FY 2019. Showing a strong upward trend overall, all eight NIGC administrative 

regions experienced an FY 2021 increase compared to FY 2020.

Individual increases among the eight NIGC regions ranged from 56% to 28%.

Meet Our Team: Compliance

"Not everyone can say they have a job that has purpose and meaning, so 

I am very fortunate to work for NIGC. It is very rewarding working with the 

tribes every day. I provide technical assistance with licensing and help them 

to stay in compliance with regulations. I am always learning something new, 

which keeps things challenging and fulfilling. I am very thankful to be a part 

of NIGC's team."

Tonya Nayman | Administrative 

Specialist

$39B

GGR

FY 2021

+ 40%

from

FY 2020

+ 13%

from

FY 2019

16 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
The Agency received twenty-five 

applications for background 

investigations (22 individuals 

and three entities).

An essential part of NIGC’s mission to help tribes remain resilient and ready is the coordination of 

management contract submissions and a review process, which includes receiving, distributing, 

reviewing/processing, and finalizing submissions. 

NIGC’s Division of Finance works closely with the 

Agency’s Office of the General Counsel to make 

recommendations to the Chairman regarding 

the approval or disapproval of management 

contracts and modifications submitted by tribes 

and management. 

During FY 2022, the Chairman approved two 

management contracts. Ten were in varying stages 

of review.

In FY 2022, tribes submitted 

five new contract/amendment 

submissions.

Management Contracts

25

Applications

NIGC’s background investigations team investigates individuals and entities with a financial interest in, 

or management responsibility for, management contracts entered into between tribal governments and 

prospective management companies. The team summarizes investigation findings and makes suitability 

recommendations of management contractors to the Chairman for decision. In FY 2022, this team 

continued to conduct financial background investigations on persons and entities associated with the 

management contractors.

Background Investigations

Additionally, the team 

completed fifteen investigations 

(11 individual and four entities).

Eighteen applications were 

withdrawn during the 

investigation process.

15

Investigations

18

Withdrawn

Meet Our Team: Compliance

"I feel fulfilled working for NIGC by helping tribes and gaming operations. 

My favorite accomplishments are site-specific training opportunities where I 

get to interact with tribal regulators and casino personnel in a small setting. 

I have also enjoyed projects where I have been able to assist other NIGC 

departments, such as OGC with sports book contract reviews and regional 

offices with inquiries and other tribal requests."

Chris Bragado | Audit

17

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Preparedness

Promoting Resilience and Safety 

Promoting tribes’ capacity to plan for risks to tribal gaming assets from critical 

events has included new Agency resources to protect against natural disaster 

threats. 

It also includes the Agency’s first-ever year-long and national campaign around how 

to achieve a more modern and enhanced regulatory workforce, and Agency support 

for public health and safety emergency planning for other potential threats to a tribe’s 

gaming operation or capacity to regulate.

Future opportunities include building on the tribal gaming community’s readiness for 

cyber threats, and innovative Agency tools to assess safety and occupational health 

management support for a tribe’s responsibility to uphold its environmental, health 

and public safety standards. - E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman

18 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
In FY 2022 NIGC helped arm tribes with the tools to 

build emergency preparedness plans and prepare 

for risks to tribal gaming assets - including natural 

and man-made disasters, cyber-security threats, 

pandemics, and environmental public health 

and safety emergencies. Preparedness training, 

technical assistance, resources, and events also 

focuses on encouraging gaming operations to 

modernize and enhance regulatory and gaming 

operation workforces to ensure future continuity 

of operations. 

Since 2020, the Commission’s work to develop 

resources and policies across broader 

preparedness challenges, like pandemic health 

and safety issues and critical event responses, 

necessitated creating a new NIGC position of 

Safety and Occupational Health Manager to help 

the Agency expand its environmental, public 

health and safety initiatives.

NIGC’s Environmental Public Health and Safety 

(EPHS) functions and services to tribes include: 

• In-person and virtual EPHS training 

• Technical assistance, on-site safety and security 

threat assessments, facility inspections 

• Evaluation of gaming operations EPHS plans

• EPHS reporting 

• EPHS recommendations and best practices 

• Facility license training 

Significant external engagements in FY 2022 

include conducting seven site visits/EPHS reviews, 

19 training presentations, 30 technical assistance 

engagements, and publishing a robust model 

emergency preparedness plan template tribal 

gaming operations can use to fill in gaps in their 

existing plans, or as a starting point for those that 

need a more detailed version. Internally, the EPHS 

team reviewed, edited, and further developed the 

Agency's COVID-19 Post Re-entry Safety Plan, and 

conducted training sessions to inform, plan, and 

educate staff on its implementation. 

Environmental Public Health 

and Safety

Equipping Tribes Tribal Assistance 

Environmental Public Health and Safety (EPHS) 

staff provided technical assistance engagements, 

conducted EPHS presentations, and completed 

EPHS site visits of gaming operations during

FY 2022. 

30

External/Internal 

Stakeholders

19

7

2360

ER Preparedness and 

Response Plan Model

Preparing and assisting tribes

for emergencies. 

Helping to mitigate risks.

Technical Assistance

Engagements

EPHS

Presentations

reaching

EPHS

Site Visits

Emergencies and disasters can strike anywhere 

and at any time, bringing workplace injuries and 

illnesses with them. In FY 2022, Environmental 

Public Health and Safety division developed 

the National Indian Gaming Commission model 

emergency preparedness plan template.

Tribal casinos may be required to deal with 

an emergency when it is least expected. The 

plan template assists tribes developing their 

emergency plans.

The plan template aids in proper planning before 

an emergency is necessary to respond effectively.

19

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
In 2022 NIGC conducted an EPHS assessment at the request of the Quapaw Nation Gaming Agency 

(QNGA) Executive Director. The EPHS Team and Tulsa Regional Office staff visited both the larger 

Downstream Casino and Quapaw Casino, a smaller facility with a few hundred machines. The NIGC Team 

visited with managers from each operational area who were friendly, inviting, and transparent about 

the safety challenges they faced given the facility age. The management team was diligent, took notes, 

and asked questions about safety protocols in all areas of the gaming facility and how best to remain in 

compliance. The visit concluded with a commitment to providing the safest gaming facility possible for 

staff and patrons and demonstrated the effectiveness of close collaboration and partnership between 

tribes and NIGC on EPHS issues.

Quapaw Casino; Miami, Oklahoma

SPOTLIGHT ON

Environment Public Health and Safety - Quapaw Nation 

From the moment I sat down with 

the QNGA and Quapaw Casino 

management team, I saw and felt their 

passion, dedication, pride, and genuine 

desire to collaborate with NIGC and its 

resources.”

- Eddie Ilko, NIGC Safety and Occupational Health Manager

20 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
3 for 35 underscores the importance of assessing and planning for 

the next generation of regulators by encouraging all Indian gaming 

regulatory bodies to identify risks and anticipate opportunities for 

Indian gaming’s continued successful regulation in the future.

The campaign’s name references the 35th anniversary of the Cabazon 

decision, when the Supreme Court affirmed tribal governments’ 

distinct authority over gaming on Indian land. 

The campaign’s three components focus on Strategic Recruitment, 

Knowledge Retention, and Skills Planning. 

Regulatory Preparedness

Supporting Tribal 

Regulators with 

extended resources, 

training opportunities,

and development.

Preparing for the loss of key 

subject-matter experts in a 

regulatory team.

Efforts to create a 

more efficient team 

ready to address 

new threats through 

a robust training 

program.

To promote preparedness in the regulatory community’s workforce, 

NIGC launched the 3 for 35 Project.

52 

Training 

Events

23,971

Internal and/or 

External

Attendees

Supporting NIGC's 3 for 35

21

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
In April 2022, NIGC launched the 3 For 35 project: “Regulating for the 

Future,” at the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Trade show and Convention. 

The campaign promoted regulatory community preparedness across three 

essential components: Strategic Recruitment, Knowledge Retention, and 

Skills Planning. In less than six months, the campaign exceeded 65K verified 

views across all NIGC Social platforms.

SPOTLIGHT ON

Preparedness: Social Media Campaign - NIGC 3 for 35

NIGC’s Division of Technology implemented cybersecurity strategies and policies for the Agency and 

maintained information security responsibilities to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability 

of Agency information and assets.

In FY 2022, gaming tribes reported three cyber-attacks to NIGC (down from eight in FY 2021) affecting 

tribal gaming operations, tribal gaming regulatory agencies, or other tribal systems. NIGC’s Technology 

and Compliance divisions continue to track, respond, and provide technical assistance to impacted 

tribes. The Agency also continues to document compliance with NIGC minimum internal control 

standards (MICS) and other guidelines related to information technology and cybersecurity.

Looking internally, in FY 2022, one of the more significant achievements has been NIGC’s successful 

implementation of conditional-based multi-factor authentication for access to critical Agency resources 

and increased mobile-based policy enforcement. NIGC implemented centralized event logging and 

auditing for all Agency systems to provide increased visibility and reporting of events to meet federal 

security mandates and presidential executive orders. 

Additionally, the Agency also enhanced the overall security vulnerability and patch management process 

through the deployment of a centralized inventory asset and patch management solution to maintain 

and deploy security patches to both on-site and remote staff. 

To ensure tribes are better prepared for potential cyber threats, 

NIGC’s Division of Technology deployed Kiteworks – a secure file 

transfer service which provides a secure means for file transfer 

and collaboration services between the Agency and tribal gaming 

community. 

The Kiteworks solution has enabled the Agency to comply 

with applicable federal security requirements to ensure the 

confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information shared 

between tribes and the Agency. 

Cyber Preparedness

22 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
From left: Eddie Hall, IT 

Auditor , Tim Cotton, IT Audit 

Manager , Chairman E. 

Sequoyah Simermeyer at an 

IT Vulnerability Assessment, 

September 2022.

Meet Our Team: Compliance 

"I enjoy enhancing my relationships with other tribes locally and 

throughout Indian country, while also gaining knowledge from 

them. I take pride in assisting tribes by working with them to ensure 

they are meeting their regulatory compliance and helping protect 

the integrity of gaming. 

I routinely conduct site visits at Indian gaming operations and with 

tribal gaming regulatory authorities within the assigned region to 

ensure compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. 

I provide training and assistance to tribal governments, tribal 

regulatory authorities, gaming operation personnel, and contract 

managers to ensure compliance with the IGRA and NIGC regulations 

and routinely work with other NIGC divisions to meet tribal requests."

Miranda Blakely | Compliance 

Officer

"Although I’ve only been with the Agency for less than a year, 

everyone treats me like an old friend. I've served in the Army for 

more than 20 years, 15 of them in cybersecurity, and am currently 

serving part-time with the DC National Guard as a cybersecurity 

warrant officer. 

I enjoy doing IT and do not consider it to be a job. DC-HQ is my 

home station, so I get to meet the Chairman, Vice Chair, and 

Deputy Chief of Staff. How cool is that?

My transition from the military to the NIGC IT Division created a lot 

of opportunities for my job, my family, and myself.

As my boss would say, 'providing IT assistance implies

boots on the ground.' With that, I hope to get to

know the rest of the NIGC family while I visit each region."

Christopher Richmond | Information 

Technology

Meet Our Team: IT 

23

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Outreach

Connecting with Stakeholders

Committing to well-informed Indian gaming policy development through 

diverse relationships, accessible resources, and government-to-government 

consultation yielded the widest-ranging engagement around different regulatory 

and policy topics in over a decade.

The outreach spurred collaboration to produce secure, compliant and modern 

background and licensing commitments, and transformed the Agency’s technical 

assistance and training program to engage the gaming regulatory community and 

tribal lawmakers in an unprecedented way.

Opportunities exist to continue modernizing outreach while maintaining the 

expectation for diplomacy in government-to-government consultation as well 

as increasing the Agency’s awareness about trends and innovations which 

provides the ability to inform the Agency’s future policy discussions and outreach.

 - E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman

24 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
In FY 2022, NIGC actively cultivated opportunities 

for virtual and in-person outreach to help ensure 

a trained, resilient and ready tribal regulatory 

workforce. Through partnerships with tribal and 

federal offices, social media engagement and 

formal consultation, the Agency demonstrated its 

commitment to well-informed Indian gaming policy, 

and helped set the conditions for future success 

across the industry.

Promoting Services

Video Training Library

In FY 2022, the Training Program continued to 

increase NIGC’s video training library consisting of 

96 recordings, up from 58, to ensure stakeholders 

had many opportunities to attend training. The 

video library continues to grow through recording 

virtual training courses accessible on the NIGC 

YouTube Channel.

Training Connection

Below, illustrates the total percentage of gaming 

tribes across all regions connected with NIGC 

training. 

Training Program Overview

NIGC provides Training 

Solutions that work.

TRAINING

CONNECTION 

to all tribes

in the regions

97%

This percentage further demonstrates both 

in-person and virtual formats continue to be in 

demand. 

Throughout FY 2022, the Training Program helped 

meet NIGC’s strategic goals of industry integrity, 

preparedness and outreach by conducting 52 

events (including virtual and in-person events) 

to reach a total training audience of nearly 24K 

attendees).

Meet Our Team: Department 

of Public Affairs Training 

Lisa

Naughton

Training &

Employee

Development

Specialist

"As the Training and Employee Development 

Specialist, I have had the opportunity to work on 

some great projects for the Agency. I have worked 

to spearhead NIGC’s on-boarding process and in 

doing so have been able to nail down a number 

of internal training opportunities enhancing the 

on-boarding process going forward and improving 

areas of internal compliance within the Agency.

It has been a great pleasure to work with NIGC’s 

internal staff and getting to know the divisions 

on a different level. Within my position, I have the 

privilege of working with DOI Talent as the Agency’s 

platform administrator, and worked diligently to 

enhance the login process, overall user experience, 

and training potential of the platform. I look forward 

to what my position can continue to add to NIGC’s 

already impressive work environment."

25

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Public Affairs

Support through new and re-established communication

The NIGC rolled out new communications initiatives, re-established others, and continued to support 

multiple special emphasis causes in FY 2022.

160

Posts

65K

Views

The Public Affairs team continued to support many special emphasis causes, including 

two live Zoom events featuring subject matter experts discussing Human Trafficking 

awareness and prevention, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP).

RESTART: 

Chairman's

Notice Documents

In FY 2022, NIGC restarted the Chairman's 

Notice documents to acknowledge topics and 

meetings of interest to stakeholders.

Notice documents provide opportunities 

to read key components of the Chairman’s 

messages, allowing stakeholders to be a part 

of and acquire information about outreach 

events. 

The Chairman launched the 3 for 35 Campaign early April holding multiple speaking engagements. 

FY 2021Reach

FY 2022Reach

27%Increase

17KFollowers from

Facebook and 

YouTube

NIGC Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer presents at 

TribalNet Online conference and Trade show.

FY 2022 was also a year of significant growth in NIGC’s social media reach.

26 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Since 2017, NIGC has collaborated with other federal agencies, including the DHS Blue Campaign, 

non-profit organizations and tribes to provide training, awareness, and resources to combat human 

trafficking. 

In FY 2022, NIGC hosted a two-part virtual dialogue with Director Jason O’Neal, Bureau of Indian Affairs 

(BIA) Office of Justice Services, and Unit Chief Marcelino A. Toers Bijns, BIA Missing and Murdered Unit. 

NIGC also presented during the 2022 Tribal Justice, Safety and Wellness Summit hosted by the Departs 

of Justice (DOJ) and Interior (DOI) in June.

In response to the 2022 White House National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking, the NIGC is 

continuing our work with the Department of Homeland Security, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the 

Department of Treasury. 

SPOTLIGHT ON

Human Trafficking Awareness and Prevention

Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

During Q4 FY 2022, NIGC stood up the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Program under the 

Division of Public Affairs. The program is led by the Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Specialist. 

The program coordinates NIGC’s congressional, legislative, and intergovernmental efforts with 

Congress, State, and Tribal governments and assists with tribal leadership engagement, consultations, 

and outreach. 

From left, Vice Chair Jeannie 

Hovland and Executive Director 

of the Pokagon Band Gaming 

Commission, David Vialpando. 

Vialpando introduced Hovland before 

her Human Trafficking Awareness 

Training she presented for

the Pokagon Band of Pottawatomi.

27

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
The Commission initiated a three-part consultation series in FY 21 covering 16 topics, conducting 

Series A and B with tribes in FY 2021. NIGC continued its consultation efforts in FY 2022 with Series C, 

focusing on implications for technology and NIGC processes to protect tribal assets, including NIGC 

background investigations and the substantial violations list. 

Of note, after consulting with tribes the Agency published its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, and is set to 

publish an updated consultation policy in early Q1 FY 2023. 

As a result of this consultation cycle, the Agency also published three Final Rules in FY 2022, covering 

facility licensing, gaming ordinances and fee requirements for “free play.” An additional five Final Rules 

are set to be published in Q1 FY 2023 on reducing the number of background investigations; audit 

standards and requirements; Key Employee (KE) and Primary Management Official (PMO) definitions; 

and self-regulation of Class II gaming. 

Tribal Consultations

SPOTLIGHT ON

Consultation - Final Rules

In FY 2022, NIGC has published the following Final Rules in the Federal Register based on input from 

tribes as part of NIGC’s formal consultation process: 

Categories FY 2022 Total

25 C.F.R. § 559.2(b) – Facility License Notifications and 

Submissions 

Final Rule published 7/25/22 

25 C.F.R. Part 552 – Submission of Gaming Ordinance or 

Resolution 

Final Rule published 09/21/22 

25 C.F.R. § 514.4(c) – Fees requirements regarding “Free Play” Final Rule published 09/06/22 

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Submissions 5

Privacy Incidents Reported 4

OGC team members 

gather for a quick photo.

First row from left: Dena 

Wynn, Danielle Wu, Mandy 

Cisneros, Esther Dittler, 

Mike Hoenig, Sharon 

Avery, Jen Lawson, Lourdes 

Acevedo, Tearranie McCain,

Rachel Hill

Back row from left: Josh 

Proper, Logan Takao 

Cooper, Austin Badger, 

Armando Acosta, Shakira 

Ferguson, Rea Cisneros, and 

Tim Osumi..

28 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Office of General Counsel

Left, Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer and his family on 

Rock Your Mocs 2022. As a positive opportunity during Native 

American Heritage Month, participants unite and celebrate 

tribal individuality by wearing moccasins to honor their 

ancestors and indigenous peoples worldwide.

The Office of General Counsel serves as the legal staff to the National Indian Gaming Commission 

and provides support to all Agency divisions as needed. During FY 2022, the Office of General Counsel 

advised the Chairman on four management contracts and 25 tribal ordinance submissions. The Office 

of General Counsel also advised the Commission on litigation and assisted the Department of Justice 

in its briefs in Ysleta del Sur Pueblo v. Texas, a case before the United States Supreme Court that 

implicated NIGC regulatory jurisdiction. The Supreme Court held oral arguments on February 22, 2022, 

and issued a favorable decision on June 15, 2022.

Additionally, the Office of General Counsel offered legal opinions on a variety of matters to ensure they 

do not implicate management or sole proprietary interest concerns and to bring stability to the tribal 

gaming industry. Specifically, the Office of General Counsel issued the following legal opinions: three 

game classifications, three Indian Lands opinions, and 57 financing or other agreements.

Matter Type Number Reviewed

Declination letters 57

Gaming ordinances 25

Indian Lands opinions 3

Management contracts 4

Game classification opinions 4

The Office of General Counsel also assisted the 

Commission with its continued Consultation process. 

Below are the four (4) final rules published by the 

Agency in FY 2022 (10/1/21–09/30/22):

1. Facility License Notifications, 87 Fed. Reg. 43489 

(July 25, 2022).

2. Annual Fee Calculation, 87 Fed. Reg. 54366 (Sept. 

6, 2022).

3. Audit Standards, 87 Fed. Reg. 57595 (Sept. 21, 

2022).

4. Submission of Gaming Ordinance or Resolution, 

87 Fed. Reg. 57590 (Sept. 21, 2022).

29

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Agency Accountability

Maintaining Efficiency and Trust

F

ollowing practices and processes to uphold the public’s expectations for good 

governance and support efficient and effective decision-making helps protect 

tribal assets.

The Agency implemented its first-ever complete cadre of chief officer positions with 

the tools to guide policy and practices across all Agency divisions and offices.

The Agency will continue to modernize and address deferred technology infrastructure 

to promote electronic information sharing on pace with other agencies and tribal 

governments. 

The Agency will complete its final stages for implementing cloud-based record systems 

and other internal efforts to harden critical information protection and to maximize 

its tools for a national Agency workforce. - E. Sequoyah Simermeyer, Chairman

30 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
For NIGC, accountability means meeting the tribes’ 

and the public’s expectation for administrative 

processes that uphold good governance practices 

and support efficient and effective decision-making 

to protect tribal assets. 

As both a resilient and ready Agency, NIGC continues 

to manage effectively and efficiently its financial 

resources.

Improving effectiveness and efficiency of financial 

and project management are essential to delivering 

mission-critical activities and services on time and 

within budget, and a core focus of the Agency. 

Efficient and Effective 

Decisions

23

#

Areas of 

Improvement

The 2022 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 

(FEVS) was administered to full-time Federal 

employees who have been with the Agency for at 

least one year.

SPOTLIGHT ON

NIGC FY 2022 Federal 

Employee Viewpoint 

Survey (FEVS)

Overall, the FEVS showed there were areas of 

improvement over the 2021 FEVS, indicating the 

Agency is continuing to trend towards employee 

satisfaction.

The Agency was number one in agencies with at 

least 100 employees who saw improvements in 

satisfaction compared with 2021.

Of note, NIGC saw the biggest improvement in 

employee morale across the Federal government 

in FY 2022, increasing five points from 77 in 2021 

to 83 this year.

+5

Point Increase

FY 2022

1

in Agencies

with at least

100 employees

(Government Executive, Dec. 1, 2022)

Meet Our Team: Information 

Technology

"I really enjoy working within the newly formed CJIS 

Audit Unit (CAU) and being able to provide technical 

assistance and training to tribes across all regions.

It has been a great year meeting TGRAs and being 

a resource to them as they work to achieve and 

maintain compliance."

Amber

McDonald | CAU

NIGC also maintains public trust and 

accountability through a diligent 

records privacy program and its

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

program. 

31

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
1600

Fee Payments

1380

Fingerprint 

Payments

FY 2022 Budget

Breakdown

Fingerprint payment checks received and processed during FY 2022

(1,341 checks plus 39 Pay.gov payments). 

Fee payments received and processed during FY 2022

(864 checks plus 736 Pay.gov payments). 

The Commission projected its Gaming Activity Fees receipt for FY 2022 at $21 million based on FY 2020’s 

Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR).

NIGC’s Accounting Services team partnered with offices in the Departments of Interior and Treasury to 

provide daily accounting support to the Agency, including financial reconciliation and audits, tribal fee 

payments and invoicing, travel reimbursement, and internal/external financial reporting.

In FY 2022, NIGC’s Accounting Services team continued to manage the electronic fee payment system 

through Pay.gov to help the Agency improve its collaborative relationship with tribes and to promote 

efficiency of online payments. Note: Financial has both "Accounting Services" and "Financial Services" teams 

which are responsible for different tasks.

Financial Management

Travel 2%

Rent & Security 7%

Communications 2%

IAA/Vendor Contracts 9% EE Professional Development 1%

All Others 1%

Payroll/Burden 78%

Meet Our Team: Finance

"I have worked in the NIGC Finance division for more than 10 

years. I have enjoyed the great opportunity to meet wonderful 

people and deliver excellent services to Indian tribes."

Wei Zhong | Supervisory 

Accountant

32 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Because the pandemic increased demand for online payment, NIGC’s Division 

of Finance began planning in FY 2022 to move to an online fingerprint payment 

option for tribes using Pay.gov. The team worked diligently with the Department 

of the Treasury throughout FY 2022, implementing the system in April 2022. 

Thirty-nine fingerprint payments were received and processed through Pay.gov 

since implementation. 

SPOTLIGHT ON

Pay.gov - Fingerprint Fees

In setting the annual fee to pay for NIGC operations, the Commission considers a number of factors 

including NIGC self-sufficiency, the importance of providing value while meeting its statutory, responsibility 

and the importance of the resilient economic opportunity Indian gaming represents.

These considerations became particularly important during the pandemic, when NIGC received no 

supplemental funding for its regulatory operations.

The Agency calculated the FY 2022 fee rate based on FY 2020 GGR, the Agency’s FY 2022 budget, and 

the existing carry-over balance as of the end of FY 2021. The Commission set the fee rate at 0.08% for

FY 2022. 

Fee Rate

Records Management

In FY 2022, NIGC strengthened its privacy program by designating the Agency’s Senior Agency Official 

for Privacy (SAOP). Notable accomplishments for FY 2022 include the completion of the Agency’s Privacy 

Impact Assessment (PIA), substantial updates to System of Records Notices (SORN), and the development 

of the Agency’s Personally Identifiable Information (PII) Breach Response Plan. 

Categories FY 2022 Totals

Privacy Impact Assessment 1

System of Record Notice (SORN) Updates 4

FOIA Requests Completed 56

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) Submissions 5

Privacy Incidents Reported 4

33

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
ANNEX

34 2023 NIGC.GOV NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
Overall Summary report from FY 2021 and 2022 indicating quantity of change.

Overall Summary FY 2022 FY 2021 Difference

Site Visits 556 417 + 85

Internal Audit Checklists 82 54 + 28

Licensing Reviews 240 258 - 18

CJIS Audits 96 130 - 34

Total Licensing Submissions 266,646 236,673 + 29,973

Open Investigations 9 6 +3

Preliminary Investigations 16 12 - 4

Closed Investigations 10 7 3

Enforcement Actions 1 0 1

Criminal Referrals 1 2 - 1

Letters of Concern Issued 22 7 15

Letters of Concerned Closed 12 7 5

New Settlement Agreements 0 1 - 1

Settlement Agreements Monitored 8 7 1

Technical Assistance Events 3,987 2,387 1,600

Technical Assistance Hours 1,778 1,171 607

AUP Received and Reviewed 444 405 39

AFS Received and Reviewed 514 524 - 10

Audit Waivers Processed 1 3 - 2

Internal Control Standard (ICS) Completed 6 1 5

Internal Control Assessment (ICA) Follow Ups 7 12 - 5

Internal Audit Review (IAR) 0 2 - 2

Investigative Audit (IVA) 7 8 - 1

GAAP Audit Review (GAR) 0 1 - 1

Internal Audit Review (IAR) Follow up 0 1 - 1

GAAP Audit Review (GAR) Follow up 1 1 0

NIGC Division of Compliance

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

35

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Letters of Concern (LOC) 

During FY 2022, the Division of Compliance worked to issue 22 Letters of Concern, 11 were closed out 

by year-end. The table below outlines the number of LOC issued by type. 

NIGC Division of Compliance

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

LOC Violation # Issued

543.23(c) Internal Audits 1

556.6(b)(2); 558.3(b) Missing and Late Notice 

of Results (NOR)/ Issuance of License (IOL) 2

559 Late Facility License Notice 2

571.13 Failure to submit 2021 Audited 

Financial Statements 2

571.13 Late 2020 AFS/AUP 9

571.13 Late 2020 Reviewed Financial 

Statements 1

571.13 Late 2021 AFS/AUP 4

Exclusive Location and Gaming Device 

Agreement 1

36 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
NIGC Regional Map

37

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
NIGC Financial Statistics 

• FY 2022 approved budget = $26.5M with 128 full-time employees and 3 fellows/interns 

• FY 2022 actual expenses = $21.4M (including $1.4M de-ob credits from prior years/before GM/GX 

transfer) with 116 actual head count 

• FY 2023 approved budget = $28.8M with 134 full-time employees and 4 fellows/interns 

• FY 2022 fee rate = 0.08% with total fee receipt = $21M 

• FY 2022 fingerprint processing fee = $35 per card 

• FY 2023 fee rate = 0.08%, same as FY 2022 

• FY 2023 fingerprint processing fee = $45 per card 

• FY 2021 GGR = $39B 

• 510 gaming operations submitted their FY 2021 Audited Financial Statement 

• 1,600 fee payments were received and processed during FY 2022 (864 checks plus 736 Pay.gov 

payments) 

• 1,380 fingerprint payment checks were received and processed during FY 2022 (1,341 checks plus 

39 Pay.gov payments) 

• Received 5 new management contract/amendment submissions 

• 2 management contract was approved by the Chair during FY 2022 

• Received 25 background investigation applications (22 individuals plus 3 entities) in FY 2022 

• Completed 15 background investigations (11 individual and 4 entities) 

• Overall Financial Background Investigators’ utilization rate was 52% in FY 2022 

NIGC Division of Finance

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

38 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
NIGC Division of Public Affairs

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

Training Program 

Highlights for the fiscal year include completing 52 training events, as detailed in the table below. Overall, 

the FY 2022 training plan resulted in 23,971 internal/external stakeholders having attended some form 

of training through the year.

Event Type Number of

Events

Number 

of Training 

Courses

Total

Attendance

National Training Topic of the Month (NTTM) 10 10 4677

Site Specific Training (SST) 16 25 155

Prof Org 17 49 3535

Internal Audit Boot Camp 1 6 2578

Conference 4 33 8870

Special Emphasis 2 2 599

Security Awareness Training (SAT)* 1 1 903

Local Agency Security Officer (LASO)* 1 1 246

Videos** N/A 96 2408

Totals 52 223 23,971

*Security awareness trainings (SAT/LASO) completed through a third-party platform

**Recorded trainings that reside on a secured YouTube platform

Region Tribe Count Tribe Attendance

Oklahoma City 21 20

Phoenix 32 30

Portland 39 37

Rapid City 20 19

Sacramento 67 65

St. Paul 38 38

Tulsa 19 19

Washington, D.C. 17 17

Region Tribe Count and Event Attendance

39

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
Public Affairs Program Communications

Email Correspondence Data

• Reviewed over 110K emails from the public NIGC mailboxes to determine relevancy and 

authenticity

• Responded to over 200 emails and forwarded over 115 emails for Agency action and response

• FY 2022 Email distributions reached over 1.7M contacts

Media Inquiries

• Received and answered 25 media queries from national, regional, industry and Indian country 

media, including queries from the Wall Street Journal, Fresno Bee, and the Charlotte Observer.

Website (NIGC.gov)

• +700 Updates completed

• +300 Page modifications

Press Releases

• Eight press releases reaching more than 1.5K verified users, with +400K impressions (via PR 

Newswire)

NIGC Division of Public Affairs

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

40 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
NIGC Division of Public Affairs

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

Internal Communications

Internal Intranet Growth 

The Public Affairs program manages and administrates the Agency’s internal intranet platform. During 

FY 2022, the team built out seven pages and uploaded more than 220 documents to ensure employees 

have access to relevant information in one easily accessible location.

Social Media 

Social Media Growth

To augment NIGC’s strategic goals, the Public Affairs Program leverages social media to get Agency 

messaging in front of the targeted audiences. This year NIGC increased its social media followers 27% to 

a total verified audience 16,907 subscribers.

For NIGC’s primary social channels, the top three performing posts in FY 2022 from Facebook, LinkedIn, 

and Twitter reached 31,774 users:

• Facebook

o Yankton NOV - 8,880 views and 884 likes

o Compliance Officer Positions opening - 6,228 views and 257 likes

o CAU employee promotion - 5,014 views and 490 likes

• LinkedIn

o CAU employee promotion - 3,368 views

o Public Affairs employee promotion - 3,103 views

o Compliance office re-hire / promotion - 2,298 views

• Twitter

o 3 for 35 Question- How old is your regulatory body? - 1329 views

o NIGC Issues New Guidance – 992 views

o Thank you to Sherman Indian School Director – 562 views

41

FY 2022

NIGC.GOV
NIGC Division of Public Affairs

Fiscal Year 2022 Performance

Social Media – Video

• YouTube

NIGC videos continue to reach more viewers and provide a wider variety of content. FY 2022 was the 

third full year of video production, and viewership increased 10%, with a 50% increase in NIGC channel 

subscribers over FY 2021.

Top 5 NIGC Videos

• FY 2021 GGR Announcement - 541 views

• NIGC Special Emphasis on Human Trafficking Event "From a Survivor's Father's Perspective"

- 467 views

• NIGC Critical Events Response & Preparedness- Active Shooter / Targeted Violence Case Study

- 267 views

• NIGC FY 2022 Budget Briefing Video - 202 views

• NTTM: How to Read Financial Statements - 167 views

YouTube FY 2020 FY 2021 FY 2022

Total Views 2303 4653 5153 (+10%)

Total Watch Time (Hours) N/A 858 1078 (+10%)

Subscribers 39 103 151 (+50%)

42 NIGC.GOV

NIGC: Resilient and Ready
NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION

Regulatory Compliance Gaming Integrity