December 18.2013 

Darrin Old Coyote, Chairman 

Crow Nation Executive Branch 

Bacheeitche Avenue 

P.O. Box 159 

Crow Agency, Montana 59022 

Re: Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 

Dear Chairman Old Coyote: 

This letter responds to your request on behalf of the Crow Nation for the National Indian 

Gaming Commission Chair to review and approve the Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013, 

as authenticated by a joint letter from you and Speaker of the House, Carlson Goes Ahead, dated 

December 9.2013. 

The 2013 Ordinance wholly amends and restates the prior ordinance, approved in 1994 

and amended in 2009. Of particular significance, the 2013 Ordinance restructures the gaming 

commission, brings the ordinance into compliance with NIGC regulations that have been 

updated in recent years, and allows the Tribe to charge licensing fees. 

Thank you for bringing the amended ordinance to our attention and for providing us with 

a copy. The amended ordinance is approved as it is consistent with the requirements of the 

Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the NIGC's regulations. If you have any questions, please 

feel free to contact Staff Attorney Jennifer Ward at (202) 632-7003. 

Chairman 

NATIONAL nEaoQunnrEns 1441 L St NW, Suite 9100, Washinglon. DC 20005 Tel: 202.632.7003 Fax 202.632.7066 www.al~c.Gov 

REGIONAL orrlcEs Portland, OR: Sacramento, CA: Phoenix, AZ: St. Paul, MN:Tulsa OK 
CROW NATION EXECUTIVE BRANCH 

Bacheeitche Avenue 

P.0. Box 159 Parrin Old Covote 

Crow Agency [Baaxuwuaashe), Montana 59022 CHAIRMAN 

Phone: (406) 638-37321638.3786 

Fax: (4061 638-3773 Dana Wilson 

VICE-CHAIRMAN 

Alvin Not Afraid Ir. 

SECRETARY 

Shawn Back Bone 

VICE-SECRETARY 

Office of the Chairman 

TO: NlGC Chairperson 

FROM: Darrin Old Coyote, Chairman 

DATE: October gth, 201 3 

I am writing on behalf of the Crow Nation (Tribe) regarding recent amendments to the Crow Tribal Gaming 

Ordinance. On October 8,2013, the Tribe approved the revised Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013. 

By this letter, I am submitting the Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 to you for review and approval 

pursuant to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) at 25 U.S.C. § 2710, and the regulations promulgated by 

the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) to implement IGRA at 25 C.F.R. Part 522.' This submission 

is being made in both electronic and hard-copy formats on the same date. 

The Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 effectively replaces the Tribe's existing gaming ordinance, which 

was originally approved by the NIGC in 1994. The NIGC approved amendments to the Tribe's gaming 

ordinance on November 18,2009. 

The Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 includes the following significant provisions: 

* Updated provisions regarding the construction and maintenance of gaining facilities to ensure the 

adequate protection of the environment and the public safety and welfare. Crow Tribal Gaming 

Ordinance of 2013 at 8 7. 

* Updated licensing requirements to conform to new NIGC regulations. Id. at 5 13. 

Notices required by the United States Privacy Act of 1974, and the NIGC regulations at 25 C.F.R. Part 

556. Id. 

Notices required by the NIGC regulations at 25 C.F.R. Part 556 regarding penalties for making false 

statements. Id. : ! t: :..~ 

i,--. ,i; , /.: L 8 .:;, , ,,,<;:, 

I 

The Tribe submitted a previous version of the Craw Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 on July 2,2013. That submission was 

withdrawn on August 22,2013. 
CROW NATION EXECUTIVE BRANCH 

Bacheeitche Avenue 

P.O. Box 159 Darrin Old CQCrow Agency (Baaxuwuaashe), Montana 59022 CHAIRMAN 

Phone: (4061 638-37321638-3786 

Fax: (406) 638-3773 Dana Wilson 

VICE-CHAIRMAN 

Alvin Not Afraid Ir. 

SECRETARY 

Shawn Back Bone 

VICE-SECRETARY 

Office of the Chairman 

* A requirement for annual audits of all contracts for supplies, services, or concessions with an amount in 

excess of $25,000 annually. Id. at 5 17(b). 

I have included the following documents to assist you in your review: 

A copy of the Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013. 

A copy of the 2001 Constitution and Bylaws of the Crow Tribe of Indians. 

A copy of the Class I11 gaming compact between the Crow Tribe of Indians and the State of Montana (as 

amended). 

Together with this letter, these documents satisfy the requirements for submission pursuant to 25 C.F.R. Part 

522. 

Should you or your staff have any questions or concerns regarding this submission, you may contact our 

attorney Bryan Newland at (517) 862-5570 or bnewland@fletcherlawpllc.com. Thank you for your continued 

service as Chairperson of the NIGC, and for your consideration of our request. 

- Darrin Old Coyote, Chairman 

Attachments 

Cc: Eric Shepard, 

General Counsel of the National Indian Gaining Commission 
Crow Tribal Gamine Ordinance of 2013 

Section 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Ordinance may be referred to as the "Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013" or any short 

title derived from therein. 

Section 2. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 

The Crow Tribe seeks to establish absolute accountability and lawfi~lness in all Class I1 and 

Class 111 gaming operations conducted on Crow Indian land and to ensure the professionalism 

and economic productivity of all such gaming. The Crow Tribe also seeks to protect the 

integrity of all Class I gaming activities on Crow Indian land. 

Section 3. PURPOSES. 

The purposes of the Crow Tribal Gaining Ordinance are to provide lawful standards and 

regulations governing the cond~~ct of gaming activities on Crow Indian land; to promote Crow 

tribal economic development and self-sufficiency; to enhance employment opportunities for 

Crow tribal members; to generate revenue for use in improving the health, education and general 

welfare of Crow tribal members; to ensure fairness in the operation of gaming on Crow Indian 

land; and to increase accountability for any gaming operations on Crow Indian land to the Crow 

tribal government and the Crow Tribal General Council. 

Section 4. DEFINITIONS. 

"Banking Card Game" means any card game in which the bank is a participant in the game, takes 

on all players, collects from all losers, pays all winners and in which the house can win. 

"Bingo" means a game of chance (whether or not electronic, computer, or other technological 

aids are used in connection therewith) which is played for prizes, including monetary prizes, with 

cards bearing numbers or other designations and in which the holder of the card covers such 

numbers or designations when objects, similarly numbered or designated, are drawn or 

electronically determined and in which the game is won by the first person covering a previously 

designated arrangement of numbers or designations on such cards. 

"Class I Gaming" means social games played solely for prizes of minimal value or traditional 

forms of Crow Indian gaming engaged in by individuals as a part of, or in connection with, Crow 

Tribal ceremonies, events, or celebrations. 

"Class I1 Gaming" means all fonns of gaming which are defmed as "Class I1 Gaming" in the 

Indian Gaining Regulatory Act and shall include, bingo or lotto (whether or not electronic, 

computer or other technologic aids are used); pull-tabs and punch boards, tip jars, if played in the 

same location as bingo or lotto,; and, non-banking card games that are explicitly authorized by 

state law, or not explicitly prohibited by state law and are played legally anywhere in the state. 

1ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
"Class I11 Gaming" means all forms of gaming that are not Class I Gaming or Class I1 Gaming, 

as defined in the Indian Gaining Regulatory Act. 

"CompactW means the currently existing Class I11 gaming compact, and any amendments thereto, 

between the Crow Tribe and the State of Montana setting forth an agreement for operations of 

Class I11 gaming on Crow Indian land within the State of Montana in accordance with the Indian 

Gaming Regulatory Act. 

"Crow Indian land" means all lands and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the Crow Tribe, 

incl~~ding but not limited to all lands within the exterior boundaries of the Crow Reservation, and 

any other lands held in trust by the United States on behalf of the Crow Tribe or individual 

Indians, which are eligible for gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. 

"Crow Reservation" means all lands designated by treaty or Congressional act as the Crow 

Reservation. 

"Crow Tribal Court" or "Tribal Court" means the trial court of general tribal jurisdiction 

contained in the Crow Tribal Judicial Branch and established by the Crow Law and Order Code. 

"Crow Tribal Executive Branch" or "Executive Branch Officials" means the Chairman, ViceChairinan, Secretary, and Vice-Secretary of the Executive Branch of the Crow Tribe. 

"Crow tribal government" means the Executive and Legislative Branches of the Crow Tribal 

government, acting under the delegation of authority from the Crow Tribal General Council 

pursuant to the 2001 Crow Tribal Constitution. 

"Crow Tribe" ineans the Crow Tribe of Indians, also known as the Apsaaloolce Nation, as 

recognized by the United States in treaty and statute and having inherent sovereign authority and 

all associated rights, privileges, and immunities as a self-governing tribal nation. 

"Crow tribal member" has the same meaning as defined in the 2001 Crow Tribal Constitution. 

"Entity" means any organization, including any division, department or other unit therein and 

includes, but shall not be limited to, a public or private corporation, partnership, limited liability 

company, joint venture, voluntary or unincorporated association, organization, proprietorship, 

trust, estate, commission, bureau, department of governmental agency except that "entity" shall 

not include the Crow tribal government. 

"Equipment" means any article, device, or other item, employed in gaming activity including but 

not limited to bingo cards, lottery tickets, any electronically operated blower machine, computer, 

electronic selection machine, gambling machines, gaming tables, associated paraphernalia, chips 

tokens, dice and any other items employed in gaming activity. 

"Gambling machine" means a mechanical, electrical, electronic or other gambling device or 

machine that, upon insertion of a coin, dollar bill, token, or other similar object, or redemption of 

a credit or upon payment of any valuable consideration, is available to play or operate, play or 

2ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
operation of which, whether by reason of skill or chance or both inay deliver or entitle the player 

to receive a prize whether the payoff is made automatically froin the machine or in any other 

manner. The term does not include pinball machines. 

"Gaming Commission," "Crow Tribal Gaming Commission," or "Tribal Gaming Commission" 

means the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission created by this Ordinance. 

"Gaming enterprise" or "gaining operator" means an entity engaged in Class I1 or Class 111 

gaming on Crow Indian land. 

"Gross receipts" ineans the total annual, q~~arterly, or monthly gaming revenue from gaming 

activities on Crow Indian land received by an authorized gaming operator. 

"Gaming revenue" means all money and other funds received by a gaming operator from any 

gaming enterprise which is subject to regulation under this Ordinance. 

"Indian gaming regulatory law" means the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988, as 

amended, all lawful administrative regulations promulgated under its authority, and all 

authoritative federal court decisions interpreting its meaning and application. 

"Key employee" means any person who performs as their primary duty one or more of the 

following functions: bingo caller, counting room supervisor, chief of security, custodian of 

gaming supplies or cash, floor manager, pit boss, dealer, croupier, approver of credit, custodian 

of gambling devices, including persons with access to cash and accounting records within such 

devices; or, if not otherwise included, any other person whose total monthly compensation as 

received or projected represents a value in excess of fifty-thousand dollars ($50,000); or, if not 

otherwise included, the four most highly compensated persons in the gaming operation; this 

definition shall apply to any contractors, consultants, or other vendors. 

"Legislature" means the Crow Tribal Legislative Branch of Government. 

"License" means a Crow tribal gaming license issued by the Gaming Commission. 

"Lottery" means any systematic process for the disposal or distribution of property, by chance, 

among persons who have paid or provided any valuable consideration for the chance of obtaining 

such property, or a portion of it, or for any share or any interest in such property upon any 

agreement, understanding or expectation that it is to be distributed or disposed of by lot or 

chance, whether called a lottery, raffle or gift enterprise, or by whatever name the same may be 

lnown. 

"National Indian Gaming Coinmission" or "NIGC" means the National Indian Gaming 

Commission created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. 

"Net Revenues" means gross gaming revenues of the Tribe's gaming operation, less amounts 

paid out as, or paid for, prizes; and, total gaming-related operating expenses, including all those 

3ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
expenses of the gaming operation coininonly known as operating expenses and non-operating 

expenses consistent with professional acco~~nting pronouncements, excluding management fees. 

"Non-bailking card gaines" means any card game in which two or more players play against each 

other and the players do not wager against the bank. All other non-banking card games are 

considered Class 111 gaines. 

"Ordinance" means this Act, the Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance. 

"Person" means any individual, receiver, administrator, executor, assignee, trnstee in bankruptcy, 

trust, estate, firm, partnership, joint venture, club, company, church or church organization, joint 

stock company, business trust, corporation, association, society, or any group of individuals 

acting as a unit, whether mutual cooperative, fraternal or nonprofit doing business on the Crow 

Reservation. The Crow tribal government is not within the definition of person. 

"Pinball Machine" means a video, mechanical, electrical or electronic machine which upon 

insertion of a coin, token, dollar bill, or upon redemption of a credit, is available for play which, 

by reason of skill, chance or a combination of both, may entitle a player to an automatic, 

immediate free replay or replays, which cannot be redeemed for anything of value. 

"Player" means any person participating in a gaming activity, who is participating with the 

reasonable expectation of, or for the chance of, receiving a prize of some value. 

"Primary management official" means: 

(1) The person having management responsibility for a management contract; 

(2) Any person who has authority; 

(A) to hire and fre employees of a gaming operation; or 

(B) to establish working policy for the gaming operation. 

(3) The chief financial officer or other person who has financial management responsibility. 

"Prize" means any U.S. currency, cash, or other property or thing of value awarded to a player or 

players, or received by a player or players as a result of their participation in a gaming activity. 

"Tribal General Council" means the Crow Tribal General Council as recognized under the 2001 

Crow Tribal Constitution. 

"Tribal gaming facility" or "gaming facility" means any location where Class I1 or Class I11 

gaming is conducted. 

"Tribally-regulated gaming operation" means any Class I1 or Class I11 gaming operation 

conducted on eligible Crow Indian land. 

4ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
Section 5. GAMING AUTHORIZED AND APPLICABLE LAW. 

(a) Class I gaming authorization, 

Class I gaming may be conducted by any Crow tribal member andlor other Indians participating 

in conjunction with an established Crow tribal game. Class I gaming shall not otherwise be 

regulated by this Ordinance. 

(b) Class I1 gaming authorization. 

Class I1 gaming shall be regulated by the Gaming Commission and is considered duly authorized 

and lawful only when operated consistent with all applicable provisions of this Ordinance, the 

Compact, and Indian gaming regulatory law. 

(c) Class I11 gaming authorization. 

Class 111 gaming shall be regulated by the Gaming Commission and is considered duly 

authorized and lawful only when operated consistent with all applicable provisions of this 

Ordinance, the Compact, and Indian gaming regulatory law. 

(d) Sole Proprietary Interest 

The Crow Tribe, either through the Tribe, any of its subdivisions, or a tribally-owned business, 

shall have the sole proprietary interest in, and responsibility for, the conduct of any tribal class I1 

or class I11 gaming activities. This section shall not preclude the Crow Tribe from entering into a 

lawful management contract pursuant to 25 U.S.C. 5 271 1. 

Section 6. REVENUES FROM CLASS I1 AND CLASS 111 GAMING. 

(a) Reporting to Crow tribal government. 

All gaming revenues received by a licensed gaming operator shall be recorded and reported to 

the following - individuals or entities on a cluarterlv basis on or about the first day of January, 

April, July, and October of each year: 

(1) the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, and Vice-Secretary of the Crow Tribal 

Executive Branch; 

(2) the Crow Tribal Comptroller; 

(3) the Chairman and Secretary of the Gaming Committee of the Crow Tribal 

Legislature; 

(4) the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission; and 

5ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(5) the Crow Tribal General Council, in a manner determined by the Tribal Secretary. 

(b) All such reports described in this section shall include a notarized and dated signature from 

authorized representative of the gaming operation attesting to the accuracy of the report. 

(c) Expenditures authorized. 

Net revenues from gaming operations are authorized for the following uses: 

(1) To fund Crow tribal government operations or programs; 

(2) To provide for the safety and general welfare of the Crow Reservation community 

and its members; 

(3) To promote economic development within the Crow Reservation through business 

loans and grants to Crow Tribal members; 

(4) Fund local government operations for the established Districts of the Crow 

Reservation, provided that any such hnding be distributed on an equal basis 

notwithstanding geographic size or population of the respective districts; and 

(5) Donate to charitable organizations with a valid non-profit charter under federal or 

Crow tribal law. 

Provided that, all such expenditures described above are only considered authorized when 

made in accordance with a duly-enacted tribal budget, approved by the Legislature and 

Secretary of the Interior. 

Section 7. GAMING FACILITIES. 

(a) Each gaming facility shall be constructed, maintained, and operated in compliance with 

applicable tribal laws, and in a manner that adequately protects the environment and the public 

health and safety. 

(b) In accordance with Crow tribal law, the International Building Code shall be the applicable 

binding standard for gaming facilities constructed on Crow Indian lands. 

(c) In the absence of an applicable comprehensive tribal or federal fire safety code, the 

International Fire Code shall be the applicable binding standard for operation of any new 

construction in which Class I1 and Class I11 gaming takes place on Crow lands. 

(d) In the event that orovisions of either the International Building Code or the International Fire >, ., Code are asserted to be inapplicable to gaming facility construction or gaming facility operation 

on Crow Indian lands, the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission shall be notified. The Gaming - 

Commission shall meet within three (3) days of receiving such notice to determine the 

applicability of the International Building Code and International Fire Code to gaming facility 

6ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
construction and operation on Crow Indian lands. In the event that the standards adopted herein 

are determined not to apply, an alternate standard and/or required course of action must be 

provided to ensure the protection of public health and safety. 

(e) Each gaming facility shall be subject to inspection by the Gaming Commission Chairman 

and/or his authorized agents to ensure compliance with all applicable tribal and federal laws. 

Section 8. MINORS, EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED. 

(a) Age requirement for players. 

No person under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to play any Class I1 or Class I11 gaine. 

(b) Gaming Facility einployees prohibited froin playing while on duty. 

No person who is employed at a Class 11 or Class I11 gaming facility shall be allowed to play any 

game conducted therein while on duty. 

The Crow Tribal Gaming Commission shall promulgate administrative regulations regarding offduty conduct of employees in such a gaming facility. 

Section 9. PRIZES: ASSIGNMENT AND FORFEITURE. 

(a) Prizes not assignable, exception. 

The right of any person to a prize shall not be assignable, except that payment of any prize may 

be made to the estate of a deceased prize-winner or to a person pursuant to an order of the Crow 

Tribal Court. 

(b) Unclaimed prizes, forfeiture for unlawfi~l winnings. 

(1) Any unclaimed prize of a Class I1 or Class I11 gaming activity shall be retained by the 

gaining operator in the gaming facility for thirty (30) days after the prize is available to 

be claimed. Any person who fails to claim a prize during such time shall forfeit all rights 

to the prize, and the amount of the prize shall be awarded to the Gaming Commission. 

(2) Any Class I1 or Class I11 gaming prize won by a person under the age of eighteen (18) 

or otherwise in an unlawful manner shall be forfeited as a violation of this Ordinance. 

Any such prize shall be awarded to the Gaming Commission. Provided that, if the 

unlawful prize is won by a minor, the approximate consideration paid by the minor shall 

be refunded to the minor. 

Section 10. CROW TRIBAL GAMING COMMISSION. 

(a) Establishment, composition, appointment and qualifications. 

7lCrow TI-ibal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(1) There is hereby established a Crow Tribal Gaining Commission, which shall replace 

the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission established previously under Crow tribal law. The 

Gaining Commission shall be comprised of a Gaming Commission Chairman and six (6) 

Commissioners, one of whom shall be designated as the Commission Vice-Chairman and 

shall exercise the authority of the Chairman in his absence. There shall be one 

Commissioner from each of the six legislative districts, who shall each be nominated by 

the Tribal Chairman with the advice and consent of the Legislature. Such advice and 

consent shall include a concurrence froin a majority of the legislators from each district 

before a nominee is sclbinitted to the Legislature for final approval through a majority 

vote. 

(2) Upon the effective date of this Ordinance or upon the event any Commission seat 

becomes vacant, the Tribal Chairman shall have thirty (30) days to submit a nomination. 

Upon submission of a nomination, the Legislature shall make a decision within 15 days. 

In the event the nominee is denied, the Chairman shall submit another name within 

fifteen (15) days of the decision. Failure of the Chairman to make a nomination shall 

vest the authority in the Legislature to make an appointment by majority vote. Failure of 

the Legislature to make an appointment within thirty (30) days shall vest the authority in 

the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission, who shall make a selection by a majority vote of a 

quorum of the Commission. 

(3) The Gaming Commission Chairman shall be nominated by the Tribal Chairman and 

confirmed by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature. Upon the effective date of this 

Ordinance or upon the event the position of Commission Chairman becomes vacant, the 

appointment process shall be the same as that for Gaming Commissioners. 

(4) No nominee to the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission shall exercise any authority 

under this Ordinance until duly confirmed under this Ordinance. 

(A)In the event that a quorum of the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission has not 

been duly confirmed, the Chairman of the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission 

shall ensure compliance with this Ordinance. 

(B) In the event that a quorum of the Crow Tribal Gaming Commission has not 

been duly confirmed, and no Chairman has been employed by the Gaming 

Commission, the Tribal Chairman may appoint an interim Chairman to ensure 

compliance with this Ordinance. The appointment of an interim Chairman 

shall not exceed 120 days. No individual may be appointed as the interim 

Chairman for two successive terms. The interim Chairman may be 

compensated for services rendered. 

(5) All Crow Tribal Gaining Coinmissioners and the Commission Chairman shall be 

members of the Crow Tribal General Council and must be registered to vote in the 

districts they represent at the time of their confirmation. 

8ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(6) The Chairman of the Commission and each Coinmissioner shall demonstrate 

lcnowledge and familiarity with the following: 

(A) the Indian gaming industry, generally; 

(B) this Ordinance and Indian gaming regulatory law; 

(C) administrative law and administrative procedure; 

(D) the structure of Crow Tribal government and the 2001 Crow Tribal 

Constitution. 

(7) Membership in the Gaming Commission shall not constitute a position of full-time 

employment with the Crow Tribe. 

(b) Terms. 

Appointments shall be for a period of four (4) years, except that of the initial members from the 

Lodge Grass, Black Lodge, and Arrow Creelc Districts shall be for two years, which will result in 

staggered appointment and provide continuity within the Commission. The Chairman of the 

Commission and all Commissioners may be re-appointed for successive terms under the same 

process as the initial appointment. 

(c) Conflict of interest, prohibited. 

(1) The Chairman of the Gaming Commission and all Commissioners shall not at any 

time while serving on the Commission have any private interest in any gaining activity, 

including but not limited to employment or consultation, and shall not be involved in any 

activity which may have direct interests in conflict with gaming operations on Crow 

Indian land. 

(2) The Chairman of the Gaming Commission and all Commissioners are absolutely 

prohibited from engaging in gaming on Crow Indian Land as players. 

(3) No Commissioner may hold elected office with the Crow Tribe while serving on the 

Gaming Commission. 

(d) Removal. 

(1) The Chairman of the Gaming Commission and all Commissioners may be removed 

for good cause, or by a majority of the Crow Tribal Legislature upon referral by a 

majority vote of a quorum of the remaining Commission, or in accordance with the 

process set forth in Article VIII, Section 3 of the 2001 Crow Constitution. Good cause 

shall exist when any condition occurs or is discovered which would exclude a person 

from appointment or demonstrate a willingness to disobey the requirements of this 

91Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
Ordinance, including but not limited to conflicts of interest, or applicable Indian gaming 

regulatory law. 

(2) Good cause removal shall take place upon a majority vote of a quorum of the 

remaining Commission and shall be reviewable in Crow Tribal Court. Such judicial 

review shall consider all facts with a clear error standard and shall uphold the Gaming 

Commission decision unless found to be arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of authority, or 

otherwise unlawful. Provided that, all good cause removals shall be conducted in 

accordance with the process established in subsection (g) of this section. 

(e) Duties and rule-making authority. 

(1) The Gaming Commission is delegated with the authority and duty to administer and 

enforce all applicable provisions of this Ordinance. The Commission shall by majority 

vote of a quorum have the following authorities: 

(A) to promulgate rules and regulations which are necessary and proper for the 

just implementation of this Ordinance, provided that no administrative n~le or 

iegulat& shall be valid and enforceable until ratified by a joint action resolution 

of the Executive Branch and Legislature; 

(B) to establish rules of play for each Class I1 and Class I11 game permitted, which 

shall be posted in an area available for open public viewing in all gaming 

facilities; 

(C) to exercise exclusive authority to license all Class IS and Class III gaming 

activities and persons employed in gaming activities conducted within on Crow 

Indian land; 

(D) to conduct background investigations of lcey employee and primary 

management official applicants; 

(E) to carry on a continuous study and investigation of Class IS and Class III 

gaming on Crow Indian land for the purpose of: 

(I) finding any defects in, or abuses of, the standards and regulations 

promulgated in accordance to this Ordinance; 

(11) form1.1lating recommendations for changes in the standards and 

regulations in this Ordinance and any and all applicable rules and 

regulations promulgated in accordance thereof; 

(111) preventing abuses and evasions of the standards and regulations 

prescribed by this Ordinance and applicable rules and regulations 

promulgated in accordance thereof; 

IOJCrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
Provided that, on or before the 31st of December of each year, the 

Commission shall submit an annual written report to the Executive Branch 

and Legislature containing all information gathered which is relevant to 

items I, 11, and I11 above. 

(F) to immediately report to the Executive Branch and the Legislature on any 

matters related to gaming which are deemed by the Commission to constitute an 

emergency requiring immediate legislative action; 

(G) to employ through commissions of authority such officers as are necessary 

and proper to provide assistance in carrying out the specific and general powers 

and duties of the Gaming Commission; 

(H) to employ independent legal counsel, who shall be admitted to the Crow 

Tribal Bar and who shall not advise the Commission Chairman in the event there 

is an action talcen by the Chairman under subsection (f) of this section. The 

Commission Chairman may seek outside counsel in such circumstances. 

Provided that, it shall be considered a conflict of interest for any attorney 

employed by the Crow tribal government to provide legal counsel to the Gaming 

Commission or Commission Chairman. 

(2) The Commission Chairman shall have the authority to call the Commission into 

session by giving each Commissioner notice at least seven (7) days before the first day of 

a scheduled session. 

(3) A rule-making quonun of the Commission shall be at least five Commissioners. 

(4) The Commission Chairman shall not have a vote when the Commission votes to 

enact, amend, or rescind a rule or regulation unless to break a tie. 

(f) Enforcement and adjudication. 

(1) In order to enforce the provisions of this Ordinance and any applicable administrative 

regulations promulgated in furtherance therein, the Gaming Commission Chairman shall 

have the following authorities: 

(A) to issue a written civil charge to any suspected violator, which shall contain a 

brief explanation of the type of activity giving rise to the violation and the alleged 

date of such activities, the provision of this Ordinance or the administrative 

regulation violated, the civil penalty sought by the Commission Chairman, and 

notice that the suspected violator has a right to contest the suspected violation 

before the Commission within fifteen (15) days of the delivery of the civil 

complaint. 

Provided that, upon the filing of a contest by a person or entity alleged to be in 

violation of this Ordinance or an administrative regulation, the Commission shall 

11ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
notify the person of an administrative hearing on the matter which shall be 

scheduled within 30 days of the filing of the contest; 

Provided further, that failure of a suspected violator to respond to the notice 

described in Part (A) above will result in a default finding of the charge being 

substantiated as true. 

(B) to issue a written denial to a license applicant or by written order to suspend 

the validity of a current license with any such written denial or order containing 

the following: 

(I) a clear explanation of the reason why the Commission has talcen such 

action; 

(11) the provision of this Ordinance or the administrative regulation which 

the applicant or licensee has violated or showed a deficiency regarding; 

(111) the effective date of the action; 

(IV) the civil penalties sought, if any; 

(V) notice that the suspected violator has a right to appeal the license 

denial before the Commission within fifteen (15) days of the delivery of .. the notice to the licensee or applicant. 

Provided that, upon the filing of an appeal by a licensee or license 

applicant, the Commission Chairman shall notify the person of an 

administrative review hearing which shall be scheduled within thirty (30) 

days of the filing of an appeal. 

(g) Review hearings. 

(1) On appeal from any charge, license denial, license suspension or revocation, or other 

administrative action affecting a gaming operator or gaming employee, the affected 

person or persons shall have a right to appeal such action to the Commission in 

accordance with this subsection. 

(2) The following shall be required for any lawful review hearing under this section: 

(A) all review hearings shall be conducted by a quorum of the Commission, 

which shall consist of at least five (5) Commissioners; 

(B) all review hearings shall be on the record and open to the pclblic; 

(C) all review hearings shall be conducted on the Crow Reservation; 

l2lCrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(D) the person or persons subject to a review hearing shall have the right to 

submit a written explanation or argument on their behalf, shall have a right to 

counsel, who must be admitted to the Crow Tribal Bar, and shall have a 

reasonable amount of time to present their case during their hearing before the 

Commission; 

(E) public notice shall be given to the General Council and Crow tribal 

government at least fourteen (14) days before any review hearing is conducted. 

Such notice shall contain the cases or subjects to be discussed, the location and 

time scheduled, and any other information relevant to ensuring public knowledge 

of the proceedings; 

(F) all review hearing decisions by the Cominission must be by a majority vote of 

a quorum of the Commission. The Commission Chairman shall not be entitled to 

vote in a review hearing. In the event of a tie vote, the Commission action shall 

be considered stayed pending further review, which shall require further 

deliberation and a final vote within three (3) days. In the event the vote remains 

tied, the action is dismissed with prejudice; 

(G) upon the entry of a majority vote and decision by the Commission in a review 

hearing, a written opinion shall be made by a Commissioner as determined by a 

majority of the Commission. Such opinion shall be considered a final agency 

action and must include a finding of facts and a determination of law. The 

opinion shall be immediately delivered to the person subject to the Commission 

action and shall be considered a public document and shall be permanently 

maintained as a public record by Cominission and the Tribal Secretary, along with 

any subsequent court records; 

(H) all final agency actions under this section are reviewable in the Crow Tribal 

Court under a de novo review of any questions of law and a clear error standard of 

review of all findings of fact. 

Provided that, any appeal for judicial review must be filed in the Crow Tribal 

Court and Gaining Commission within fifteen (15) days of the time notice was 

provided to the petitioner of the Commission's action. 

(3) In the event the Commission Chairman or Commission do not meet any of the 

procedural requirements contained in this section, the party subject to the Commission 

Chairman or Commission's action may file for injunctive relief in Crow Tribal Court and 

may seek a dismissal of the action. 

(h) Compensation. 

The Gaming Commission Chairman, Commissioners, and employees shall be reasonably 

compensated, as determined by the Executive Branch Officials. The compensation shall be paid 

from the Crow tribal general find and from net revenue f?om gaming activities. 

13ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
Section 11. TRIBAL GAMING LICENSES. 

(a) Types of licenses to be issued. 

(1) The Crow Tribal Gaming Commission shall issue the following licenses for Class I1 

and Class I11 gaining: 

(A) Gaming Operations. Each gaming facility on Crow Indian Lands shall obtain 

a license. Each gaming facility, in anticipation of conducting Class I1 or Class 

111 gaming on Crow Indian Lands shall apply for a license authorizing such 

gaming; 

(B) Gaming Employees. Any person who has been hired for employment in any 

licensed gaming operation as a priinary management official, a key employee, 

or other gaming employee as deemed necessary by the Gaining Coimission 

to be licensed, shall apply for a license authorizing such employment; 

(C) Any Entity that provides any goods or services (except professional, legal and 

accounting services to a gaming facility), the value of which exceeds $75,000 

annually, or any Entity that provides any amount of gaming equipment in 

connection with the operation of Class I1 or Class I11 gaming in the gaming 

facility, shall apply for and obtain a license prior to providing such services; 

(D) Any person seeking to establish a gaming operation, become a gaming 

employee, or provide gaming services on Crow Indian land shall apply for, 

and receive, all required licenses prior to engaging in such activity; and, 

(E) Any other license or combination of licenses established by the Gaming 

Commission under administrative regulation 

(2) Licenses shall indicate the type and class of license on the face of the license. A 

combined Class I1 and Class I11 license may be issued if appropriate. 

(b) License fees. 

(1) Any person applying for a gaming license pursuant to this Ordinance shall submit his 

or her application and all required fonns and information, as set forth by the Gaming 

Commission regulations. 

(2) The Crow Tribal Gaming Commission shall promulgate rules to establish fees for 

application, background investigations and licenses. 

(c) License fee waiver. 

The Tribal Gaming Commission may waive fees tinder the following circumstances: 

14ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(1) where a licensee or license applicant is unable to pay fees due to a demonstrated 

financial exigency; or 

(2) where the license applicant is a non-profit entity chartered under federal or tribal law 

and the intended purpose of the gaming is for a charitable fund-raiser. 

(d) License renewal. 

A licensee shall, at least thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of their license submit an 

application for renewal and any required forms and information together with a renewal fee 

equivalent to 75% of the applicable license fee. 

Section 12. TRIBAL GAMING LICENSE VALIDITY: EFFECTIVE PERIOD AND 

LOCATION. 

(a) Period. 

Gaming licenses shall be valid and effective for a period of one (1) calendar year from the date 

of issuance, unless the license is suspended or revoked for cause after notice and hearing 

pursuant to this Ordinance. The effective date and period of the license shall be stated on the 

face of the license. 

(b) Location. 

(1) A gaming license shall be valid for one (1) facility or location only, and the location 

shall be identified on the face of the license. 

(2) If a person or entity desires to be employed with more than one gaming operation, a 

separate gaming license must be obtained for each separate gaming operation. 

(c) Facility licenses. 

Each gaming facility must be separately licensed and such licenses shall be displayed 

prominently in an area of public viewing in the gaining facility. 

Section 13. TRIBAL GAMING LICENSES: QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENT. 

(a) Generally. 

(1) An application to receive a license or to be found suitable to receive a license shall 

not be granted unless the Gaming Commission is satisfied, after review of a background 

investigation that such applicant is: 

(A) a person of good character, honesty and integrity; 

151Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(B) a person whose prior activities, criminal record, if any, reputation, habits and 

associations do not pose a threat to the public interest or to the effective regulation 

of gaming, or create or enhance the dangers of unsuitable, unfair or illegal 

practices and methods and activities in the conducting of gaming or the carrying 

on of the business and financial arrangements incidental thereto; and 

(C) in all other respects is qualified to be licensed or found snitable consistent 

with the declared policy of the Crow Tribe under this Ordinance. 

(2) An application to receive a license or to be found suitable constitutes a request for a 

detennination of the applicant's general character, integrity and ability to participate or 

engage in, or be associated with gaming on Crow Indian land. Any written or oral 

statement made in the course of an official proceeding of the Gaming Commission or the 

National Indian Gaming Commission by any member thereof, or any witness testifying 

under oath which is relevant to the purpose of the proceeding is absolutely privileged, 

and does not impose liability or defamation constituting a ground for recovery in any 

civil action. 

(b) Privacy Notice 

(1) An application form for a key employee or a primary management official must 

contain the following statement: 

In compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, the following 

information is provided: Solicitation of the information on this 

form is authorized by 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq. The purpose of the 

requested information is to determine the eligibility of individuals 

to be granted a gaming license. The information will be used by 

the Tribal gaming regulatory authorities and by the National Indian 

Gaming Commission (NIGC) members and staff who have need 

for the information in the performance of their official duties. The 

information may be disclosed by the Tribe or the NIGC to 

appropriate Federal, Tribal, State, local, or foreign law 

enforcement and regulatory agencies when relevant to civil, 

criminal or regulatory investigations or prosecutions or when 

pursuant to a requirement by a tribe or the NIGC in connection 

with the issuance, denial, or revocation of a gaming license, or 

investigations of activities while associated with a tribe or a 

gaming operation. Failure to consent to the disclosures indicated in 

this notice will result in a tribe's being unable to license you for a 

primary management official or lcey employee position. The 

disclosure of your Social Security Number (SSN) is vol~ntary. 

However, failure to supply a SSN may result in errors in 

processing your application. 

(2) A tribe shall notify in writing existing key employees and primary management 

officials that they shall either: 

16ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(A) Complete a new application form that contains a Privacy Act notice; or 

(B) Sign a statement that contains the Privacy Act notice and consent to the 

routine uses described in that notice. 

(C) All license application forms used one-hundred eighty (180) days after the 

enactment of this ordinance shall comply with this section. 

(c) Notice regarding false statements. 

(1) An application fonn for a key einployee or a priinary management official in~~st 

contain the following statement: 

A false statement on any part of your license application may be 

grounds for denying a license or the suspension or revocation of a 

license. Also, you may be punished by fine or imprisonment (U.S. 

Code, Title 18, section 1001). 

(2) The tribal gaming commission must notify in writing existing ltey employees and 

primary management officials that they shall either: 

(A) Complete a new application fonn that contains a notice regarding false 

statements; or 

(B) Sign a statement that contains the notice regarding false statements. 

(3) All license application forms used 180 days after enactment of this ganing ordinance 

shall comply with this section. 

(d)Baclzground investigations. 

The Gaming Commission shall perform a background investigation for each primary 

management official and for each lcey employee of a gaming operation. 

(1) The Gaming Commission m~~st request fkom each primary management official and 

from each key einployee all of the following information: 

(A) Full name, other names used (oral or written), social security n~mber(s), birth 

date, place of birth, citizenship, gender, all languages (spoken or written); 

(B) Currently and for the previous five years: Business and employment positions 

held, ownership interests in those businesses, business and residence addresses, 

and driver's license numbers; 

(C) The names and current addresses of at least three personal references, 

including one personal reference who was acquainted with the applicant during 

each period of residence listed under paragraph (a)(2) of this section; 

(D) Current business and residence telephone numbers; 

17ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(E) A description of any existing and previous business relationships with Indian 

tribes, including ownership interests in those businesses; 

(F) A description of any existing and previous business relationships with the 

gaming industry generally, including ownership interests in those businesses; 

(G) The name and address of any licensing or regulatory agency with which the 

person has filed an application for a license or permit related to gaming, whether 

or not such license or permit was granted; 

(H) For each felony for which there is an ongoing prosecution or a conviction, the 

charge, the name and address of the court involved, and the datc and disposition if 

any; 

(I) For each misdemeanor conviction or ongoing inisdemeanor prosecution 

(excluding minor traffic violations) within 10 years of the date of the application, 

the name and address of the court involved and the date and disposition; 

(J) For each criminal charge (excluding minor traffic charges) whether or not 

there is a conviction, if such criminal charge is within 10 years of the date of the 

application and is not otheswise listed pursuant to paragraph (a)@) or (a)(9) of 

this section, the criminal charge, the name and address of the court involved and 

the date and disposition; 

(K) The name and address of any licensing or regulatory agency with which the 

person has filed an application for an occupational license or permit, whether or 

not such license or permit was granted; 

(L) A photograph; 

(M) Fingerprints taken by a Crow tribal, federal, or state law enforcement agency 

in accordance with guidelines established by federal protocol and which shall be 

sent directly to the National Indian Gaming Commission by the law enforcement 

agency taking the fingerprints; and, 

(N) Any other information the Gaming Commission deems relevant. 

(2) If, in the course of a background investigation, the Tribal Gaming Cominission 

discovers that the applicant has a notice of results on file with the National Indian 

Gaming Commission froin a prior investigation and the Gaming Commission has access 

to the earlier investigative materials (either through the National Indian Gaming 

Commission or the previous tribal investigative body), the Tribal Gaming Commission 

may rely on those materials and update the investigation and investigative report under 

25 C.F.R. 5 556.6(b)(1). 

(3) In conducting a background investigation, the Gaming Commission, and its agents, 

shall keep confidential the identity of each person interviewed in the course of the 

investigation. 

18ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(4) The Gaining Commission is authorized to appoint one or more investigators to fulfill 

the requirements of this section. 

(e) Tribal eligibility determination, 

The Gaming Coininission shall conduct an investigation sufficient to make an eligibility 

determination. 

(1) To make a finding concerning the eligibility of a key employee or primary 

management official for granting of a gaming license, the Gaming Commission shall 

review a person's: 

(A) Prior activities; 

(B) Criminal record, if any; and 

(C) Reputation, habits and associations. 

(2) No person shall be employed by a gaming enterprise operated on Crow Indian Land 

who: 

(A) has been convicted of or who has pled guilty or nolo contendere to any felony, 

gambling offense, or other offense involving moral turpitude except that 

misdemeanors committed before such person's 18th birthday shall not act to bar his 

or her employment; or 

(B) is under the age of 18; and, 

(C) fwther, no person shall be employed as a primary management official or key 

employee who is under the age of 21. 

(3) If the Gaming Commission, in applying the standards adopted in this ordinance, 

determines that licensing of the person poses a threat to the public interest or to the 

effective regulation of gaming, or creates or enhances the dangers of unsuitable, unfair, or 

illegal practices and methods and activities in the conduct of gaming, the Gaming 

Commission sh~ll not license that person in a key employee or primary management 

official position. 

U) Report to the National Indian Gaming Commission. 

(1) The Gaming Commission shall maintain a complete application file of each primary 

management official and key employee containing the information listed under 9 13(d). 

(2) Before issuing a license to a primary management official or to a key employee, the 

Gaining Commission shall: 

(A) Create and maintain an investigative report on each backgound investigation. 

An investigative report shall include all of the following: 

19ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(i) Steps taken in conducting a baclcground investigation; 

(ii) Results obtained; 

(iii) Conclusions reached; and 

(iv) The basis for those conclusions. 

(B) Where the Gaming Commission has appointed an investigator pursuant to 5 

13(d), above, the independent investigator must prepare the written report 

required under this section. Where no independent investigator has been 

appointed, the report required under this section shall be prepared by the Gaming 

Commission Chairman. 

(C) Submit a notice of results of the applicant's background investigation to the 

National Indian Gaming Commission no later than sixty (60) days after the 

applicant begins work. The notice of results shall contain: 

(i) Applicant's name, date of birth, and social security number; 

(ii) Date on which applicant began or will begin work as key employee or 

primary management official; 

(iii) A summary of the information presented in the investigative report, 

which shall at a minimum include a listing of: 

(A) Licenses that have previously been denied; 

(B) Gaming licenses that have been revoked, even if subsequently 

reinstated; 

(C) Every known criminal charge brought against the applicant 

within the last 10 years of the date of application; and 

(D) Every felony of which the applicant has been convicted or any 

ongoing prosecution. 

(iv) A copy of the eligibility determination made under § 13(e), 

(g) Notice. 

All notices under this section shall be provided to the National Indian Gaming Coinmission 

through the appropriate Regional office. 

(h) Review of notice of resnlts for a key employee or primary management official. 

(1) Upon receipt of a complete notice of results for a key employee or primary 

management official as required by § 13(Q of this ordinance, the Chairperson of the 

National Indian Gaming Commission has 30 days to request additional information from 

2OICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
a tribe concerning the applicant or licensee and to object. 

(2) If the National Indian Gaming Cominission has no objection to the issuance of a 

license, it will notify the Tribe within thirty (30) days of receiving notice of results 

submitted to it pursuant to §13(e). 

(3) If, within the 30-day period described in 5 13@), the National Indian Gaming 

Commission vrovides the Tribe with a statement itemizing - obiections to the issuance of a " 

license to a key employee or to a primary management official applicant for whoin the 

Tribe has provided a notice of results, the Tribal Gaming Comnission shall reconsider 

the application, taking into account the objections itemized by the National Indian 

Gaming Commission. The Tribal Gaming Cominission shall make the final decision 

whether to issue a license to such applicant. 

(4) If the Tribal Gaming Cominission has issued the license before receiving the National 

Indian Gaining Commission's statement of objections, notice and hearing shall be 

provided to the licensee as provided by 5 13Cj). 

(i) Notification to the NIGC of license decisions and retention obligations. 

(1) After the Tribal Gaming Commission has provided a notice of results of the 

background check to the National Indian Gaming Commission, the Tribal Gaming 

Commission may license a primary management official or key employee. 

(2) Within 30 days after the issuance of the license, the Tribal Gaming Commission must 

notify the National Indian Gaming Commission of its issuance. 

(3) A gaming operation shall not employ a key employee or primary management official 

who does not have a license after ninety (90) days. 

(4) If the Tribal Gaming Commission does not license an applicant- 

(A) The Tribal Gaming Commission shall notify the National Indian Gaming 

Commission; and, 

(B) Shall forward copies of its eligibility determination and notice of results, 

under paragraph (f) of this Section, to the National Indian Gaming Commission 

for inclusion in the Indian Gaming Individuals Record System. 

(5) A tribe shall retain the following for inspection by the Chair or his or her designee for 

no less than three years from the date of ternlination of employment: 

(A) Applications for licensing; 

(B) Investigative reports; and 

(C) Eligibility determinations. 

21ICrow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
Cj) Notice of information impacting eligibility and licensee's right to a hearing. 

(1) If, after the issuance of a gaming license, the National Indian Gaming Commission 

receives reliable information indicating that a key employee or a primary management 

official is not eligible for employment under 5 13(e) of this chapter, the National Indian 

Gaming Commission is required to notify the Tribe of the information pursuant to 25 

C.F.R. 5 558.4. 

(2) Upon receipt of such notification from the National Indian Gaming Commission 

under paragraph (1) of this section, the Tribal Gaming Commission shall immediately 

suspend the license and shall provide the licensee with written notice of suspension and 

proposed revocation. 

(3) The Tribal Gaming Commission shall notify the licensee of a time and a place for a 

hearing on the proposed revocation of a license. Such hearings shall be conducted in 

accordance with the procedures established in 5 10(g) of this Ordinance. 

(4) A right to a hearing under this subsection shall vest only upon receipt of a license 

granted under this Ordinance, following the approval of this Ordinance by the National 

Indian Gaming Commission. 

(5) After a revocation hearing, the Tribal Gaming Commission shall decide to revoke or 

to reinstate a gaming license. The Tribal Gaming Commission shall notify the National 

Indian Gaming Commission of its decision within 45 days of receiving notification from 

the National Indian Gaming Commission pursuant to paragraph (a) of this section. 

Q Submission of notices. 

(1) All notices under this part shall be provided to the National Indian Gaming 

Commission through the appropriate Regional office. 

(1) Other requirements of employment 

(1) No person shall be employed as a primary management official or key employee in a 

Class I1 or Class 111 gaming activity who: 

(A) has not first applied for and obtained a gaming license, p~usuant to this 

Ordinance; 

(B) is ineligible for fidelity bonding or similar insurance covering employee 

dishonesty. 

(2) Every person employed at a gaming facility operated on Crow Indian land shall wear 

an identification badge which conspicuously states the place of employment, the full 

name of the person and their position of employment. 

Section 14. LICENSE SUSPENSION AND REVOCATION. 

221Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(a) Suspension and revocation. 

The Gaming Commission Chairman shall immediately suspend and, after notice and 

hearing is provided, the Gaming Commission may revoke the license of any owner, 

primary management official, or key employee of a Class I1 or Class I11 gaming operation 

if the Commission determines that the owner, primary management official, or key 

employee is in violation of this Ordinance or applicable Indian gaming regulatory law. 

(b) Suspension and revocation notices. 

All license suspension and revocation notices shall be provided to the licensee in 

accordance with the procedure established in Section 10 of this Ordinance and any 

regulations promulgated by the Gaming Commission. A copy of any revocation notice 

shall be sent to the National Indian Gaming Commission. 

(c) Application for relicensing. 

No person or entity whose Class I1 or Class 111 gaming license has been revoked shall be 

eligible for a new license until twelve (12) months after the effective date of the license 

revocation. 

Section 15. CLASS I1 GAMING. 

(a) License required. 

(1) No person or entity shall own an interest in or operate a Class I1 gaming activity on 

Crow Indian land unless that person or entity has first received a license to conduct Class 

I1 gaming from the Gaming Commission. The Crow Tribe may enter into a management 

contract for the operation of a Class I1 gaming enterprise so long as the contract is in 

accordance with all Crow tribal laws and Indian gaming regulatory law. 

(2) The Gaming Commission may license a Class I1 gaming activity owned in whole or 

part by a person or entity other than the Crow Tribe so long as the licensing standards for 

any such Class I1 gaming are at least as restrictive as Montana state law governing similar 

gaming within the state. No such license shall be issued, unless: 

(A) The applicant has expressly agreed, in writing, to be subject to Crow tribal 

law; and, 

(B) The applicant is determined to otherwise be eligible to conduct the same 

gaming under Montana state law outside the Crow Reservation. 

(3) No less than sixty percent (60%) of the net revenues from licensed Class I1 gaming 

activity owned or operated by an independent person or entity must be delivered to the 

Crow Tribe. Such independent owner or operation must pay an appropriate assessment to 

231Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
the National Indian Gaming Commission, as may be required under applicable Indian 

gaming regulatory law. 

(4) Operators or employees in charge of such licensed Class I1 gaming activities shall 

provide required reports, audits, contracts for service or supplies as requested by the 

Gaming Commission. 

(5) No business association of any type may be granted a license to conduct Class I1 

gaming unless all such owners or managers are individually qualified under this 

Ordinance, and any applicable regulations adopted hereunder. 

(b) Rule-making authority. 

The Gaming Commission shall promulgate necessary and proper regulations governing 

the issuance of Class I1 licenses in accordance with this Ordinance. Provided that 

preference shall always be given by the Gaming Commission to any gaming enterprise 

owned and operated by the Crow Tribe. 

(c) Class I1 n~les, generally. 

(1) Licensed Class I1 gaming may be conducted twenty-fow (24) hours a day, seven (7) 

days a weelc, subject to approval by the Gaming Commission. 

(2) Prior to operation of Class I1 gaming or any change in hours of operation, the operator 

shall notify the Gaming Commission of the proposed hours and days its facility will be 

open, and the hours and days gaming will be conducted. The Commission Chairman may 

object to the proposed schedule and must provide notice to the operator of any such 

objection, and the reasons therefore, within fifteen (15) days. The operator may submit 

an alternative schedule or may request a review hearing, which shall be conducted under 

the procedure set forth in Section 10 of this Ordinance. 

(3) No person may enter into a room or area in which a bingo game is being played 

unless the person is a player, facility employee, or a person present by authority of the 

Gaming Commission. 

(4) The number of people permitted to play any bingo game shall not exceed the number 

of seats available in the room or area in which the game is being played. 

Section 16. CLASS I11 GAMING. 

(a) Exclusive ownership by the tribe. 

All Class 111 gaming on Crow Indian land shall be owned exclusively by lawfully-established 

gaming enterprises of the Crow Tribe, and no license to own or operate any Class I11 gaming 

shall be issued to any other person or entity. 

241Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(b) Plan of operation; approval by the gaming commission. 

All Class 111 gaming must be conducted pursuant to a Class 111 gaming plan of operation. The 

Gaining Coininission shall approve any Class 111 gaming plan of operation submitted by a 

gaming enterprise owned by the Crow Tribe so long as the proposed operation is in compliance 

with the facility safety requirements of Crow tribal law, the proposed Class 111 gaining is 

consistent with the Compact, and the proposed Class I11 gaming complies with all other 

applicable Crow tribal law and Indian gaming regulatory law. Any such plan of operation must 

detail each of these requirements. 

(c) Management contracts. 

The Crow Tribe, by Crow tribal joint action resolution, may enter into a management contract 

for the operation and inanagement of any or all tribally-owned Class I11 gaming activities 

provided that any such contract must fully comply with the provisions of this Ordinance, the 

Compact, and all other applicable provisions of Crow tribal law and Indian gaming regulatory 

law. 

(d) Regulation and inspection. 

(1) All Class 111 gaming shall be regulated by the Gaming Commission, which shall adopt 

all necessary and proper regulations in order regulate such gaming. Such regulations 

shall include game mles and mles of conduct, requirements for public display of rules at 

gaming facilities, facility requirements, permitted games specifications and requirements, 

background investigations, application and release forms. 

(2) All Class I11 facilities may be inspected by the Gaming Commission at usual business 

hours. 

(e) Hours of operation. 

Class 111 gaming may be conducted twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week unless 

the Commission declares by order that such hours pose a risk to the health, safety, or welfare of 

the public. 

Section 17. RECORDS AND AUDITS. 

(a) Records. 

(1) Every gaming operation on Crow Indian land shall maintain accurate and current 

records for each gaming activity conducted at each gaming facility. All such records 

must include the following information: 

(A) all financial transactions; 

(B) all gaming machine testing, malfunctions, maintenance and repairs; 

251Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
(C) c~urent personnel; 

(D) complaints of patrons 

(E) internal investigations of any kind; 

(F) any incidents or accidents causing physical harm or injury of any sort; 

(G) any actions by any facility employee against players or facility visitors; and 

(H) any actions by management against or in reprimand of facility employees. 

(b) Audits. 

(1) The Gaming Coininission shall order an annual audit on all Class I1 and Class I11 

gaming activities on Crow Indian land. All such audits shall be cond~~cted byan 

independent, licensed auditing firm selected by the Gaming Commission. 

(2) All contracts for supplies, services, or concessions with an amount in excess of 

$25,000 annually, except contracts for legal or accounting services, and which related to 

Class I1 or Class 111 gaining, shall be subject to the independent audit required by part (1) 

of this subsection. 

(3) A verified copy of all such audits commissioned under this subsection shall be 

furnished to the National Indian Gaming Commission. 

Section 18. PENALTIES. 

(a) Criminal penalties. 

(1) It shall be a felony crime for any person or entity to: 

(A) knowingly operate or participate in gaming on Crow Indian land in violation 

of the provisions of this Ordinance or any regulations promulgated in pursuance 

therein: 

(B) knowingly make a false statement in an application for employment with a 

gaining operation or in an application for a license to operate a gaming activity; or 

(C) bribe or attempt to bribe or unduly influence or attempt to unduly influence 

any person who licenses, operates, conducts, assists, or is otherwise employed in a 

gaming activity or operation located on Crow Indian land. 

(2) Any Indian who violates a provision of this Ordinance or other Crow tribal law 

relating to gaming activities may be fined up to one-thousand dollars ($1,000) per count 

261Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
andior imprisoned for up to one (1) year per count. A separate count occurs each day a 

violation arises or continues. 

(3) Any non-Indian who violates a provision of this Ordinance or other Crow tribal law 

relating to gaming activities may be excluded from Crow Indian land. 

(4) Any property used in the commission of a criminal violation of this Ordinance or 

other Crow tribal law relating to gaming inay be seized by the Gaming Commission or 

their duly-authorized officers, in accordance with applicable Crow tribal law governing 

seizures of property. 

(b) Civil penalties. 

(1) Any person or entity who violates any provision of this Ordinance or who violates 

any term or condition of any tribal gaming license issued pursuant to this Ordinance or 

any provision of a management contract may be assessed a civil penalty by the Gaming 

Commission, which shall not exceed one-thousand dollars ($1,000) per violation. Each 

individual violation shall be treated separately and shall be assessed as a separate 

violation. 

(2) All such civil penalties must be imposed in accordance with the procedures set forth 

in Section 10 of this Ordinance and, where applicable, the Crow Rules of Civil 

Procedure. 

(3) Civil penalties provided for in this section may be imposed in addition to the criminal 

penalties provided for subsection (a). 

Section 19. APSAALOOKE GAMING CORPORATION ARTICLES OF 

INCORPORATION. [Reserved for future enactment by Crow tribal joint action resolution] 

Section 20. EFFECTIVE DATE, CODIFICATION, SEVERABILITY. 

(a) Effective date. 

This Ordinance shall take effect upon being duly adopted by the Crow tribal government and 

approved by the Chairperson of the National Indian Gaming Commission and any other 

requirements under federal law. 

(b) Codification. 

This Ordinance shall be codified in Title 23 of the Crow Law and Order Code. 

(c) Severability. 

If the Judicial Branch of the Crow Tribe declares any provision of this Ordinance inconsistent 

with the Crow Tribal Constitution, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and 

271Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013 
effect so long as the portion stricken does not materially affect the just application of this 

Ordinance. 

281Crow Tribal Gaming Ordinance of 2013