APR 13 2C05 

Kenneth BIanchard, Governor 

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma 

2025 South Gordon Cooper 

Shawnee, OK 74801 

RE: Absentee Shawnee Tribe's Gaming Ordinance 

Dear Governor Blanchad: 

This letter responds to your letter of January 26,2005, requesting the National Indian 

Gaming Commission to review and approve the amendment to the Absentee 

Shawnee Tribe's (Tribe) Gaming Ordinance, adopted on January 26,2005 by Resolution 

No. L-AS-2005-02. By tribal resolution, the Tribe's Executive Committee amended Title 

I of the Tribe's Gaming Code by clarifying the duties of the tribal Gaming Commission. 

This letter constitutes approval of the amendment. It is important to note that the 

amendment is approved for gaming on Indian lands, as defined in the IGRA, over which 

n and exercises governmental power. 

Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma's amendment 

and I look fornard to continuing to work with 

s or require further assistance, please 

Chairman 

WTIOUAL HEMQUZIRTERS 1441 F St. NW, Suite 9100, Washin@n. DC 2OIK)S Td 202.631.7003 Fax: 202.632.7066 www.nlccaov' 

WGIONAL OFFtCES Partland, OR; Sacramento. O\; Phoenix, AZ; St. Paul, MN;Tulw, OK 
... ..... . .-iREAs-furth . - .:.<. .?' ..'; : , r a ,fie *&bents .,.&d rnisi-bni & : the.; ~&~~d : mg . ' -'. .. ..:. . . .... :. . ._I. 

... , . ._. - <-:. ... ?' '. ... ...... ... k. ....... -. - . . . : - +, .. .:;;i. I..,.. ....-.. C~~SS~O~ -for @F~i& -> : .... ! ..... : ...;...... ; . ..... ....... , .. ..... .I_ . ... .... . . ..... ...... !. -.... ... "1 . . . .. . . 

- - . - ., >. .......... .... ... . , .".. i . > : ., . . ...I .. ;;.:. .. ..I..... 

7. .I_ ..,:.. . . ...... <. ... ........ ........ -. . -. 

. : 

. . 

; .' . . _,:... . . . ... . .... ... ..:. ....... ,"i, "... <. .... .... . . . . .. ........ . . . . ... .. . ............... ..... ... .... , -: . - ..... -. ....... ....:..... ..... ._ .... . . 

:.I .: 

.............. ......... .......: .... ...' ..... ...... . . ............ ... . .....- .... ,. ,:<- 

.. .. < i. : :. , . .. ... .> - : 

....... * !;. . .... ...... ... . - <. , . 3. 

... .... _.......... .. ": :. . .; : . <.,.::.., ;;:., .;:.; .::,., ,;,; $, ;:.:;... ,::. .-- -. .... : ..:.. " 

......... +-. 

', .",',;, :" , ',. < :.' ; '1 : <. . ... ,..:.,, ... .<-, '. .: .". : ; ,:. , . ... . . . .'.- ,, .:, '. . - .' .... ... ,. ::. . ..... . _ _ ri.,. ......... ". ... . . . ., ... ... ....... ... : ". ... 

,, . . , ,>: . ,, . : ,: ;-,, .:"':'?.: 

.... . . .% . .I., ._ ..... ... :; : :. 

... ..... ...... ... ...: .:... .... 

. , .,. ,. -. ': 

.:.. 

...:.. ... ..... . . . . 

.... ........ 

-:.. 

.. ..: ........ ........... -. . ........ ." '-. . :. A::-: ',: : .:: : 

......... 

. . ,+- - , , . . -- -- 

.... : 

............... 

, - . . :._ .I......... ..... ....... ......... .. ..... . . ; .; :*.;'. . . ,- I 

.... ... ... . :" " ' 

..... ... ; ,, , , :. : . . , .I.'. " ' .. , _..: . .... 

. . 

.:. ..I.. ... .... ....... .. .. ..... 

': .:_ I... 

; -1. ; ;.. : : ,. ..... . . .I.>,': 2 !'; : 7.: 

..... 

. ,, , , .b .. " : 

........ 

. ." ' .., 

.... ..... .. ...,... L-. - ................ . . ...... 

. .i..: . , . ; 

... .. . 

....... 

. ., 

.. I...... 

..i:_. . .:: .:, ". 

............ 

.'1 . . :..: .',: . ' :. 

........... .. ...... ...... .... .... .. - 

............ 

. . 

.. .;...... 

'...I ., . . 

... 

>. 

.. .. '............ . .. 

_ -,. I. . 

... .. ....... ......... . . .... 

>. . . . . 

: . ...... 

I . - ... ....." .. ...: ... ..... : ., . . . . 

... .'.'I.. , , 

.... 

,.5.',, . .' '- . 7 :.. '..'. ;. , ' ;.. ,, , ,,. . . - .. 

. .:.... . 

. . ...': i' I r '. .,.: 

. :.... .... . 

:r ' .,.: <, .: . ,'.<.:,,' ,: . ;. .: ', I. > <:.... 

...... ....... 

,: . 

...... 

: > I: 

.... 

.,: I;.',.': 1-' :" .. , ,. .: . . 

........ ...... 

. , I ..:_.,I:: . . .: . . I. .: i.. 

: ., . < ,:.. > : ,,'.., , ' .. . ; .;. , :. ,;,... 

" - .i" . . : , .'.'. . '. ;, \: : . . -. : .* - :: . ' ; , .. . . *- . ,- . . .:..,. '! ';, 

r. . . ...., . - . - 
. . . -. . . . . ... . . ... . :. . . . , ... . . . _....... 

. , - ' . .... L. . . . . ..... -. , . . , . - . : . . .... ... .... ,. -, . , .: 

... .. , ..... ...... .. - . . ..... . . . . ... . . .... . . .., .. ......... . . 

. ... . . ...... 

.. - . . . . ............ 

, 

. . . :. 

... 

. .:. ._i 

. .- . ::.. 

... .... .... ,, - .. ': . . < . . , <. 

............... 

. - . . 

... . .'. ...... .. . ... . ..' . ........................... . ..". 

" .. . . .. , , . . 

..... 

. . . . . . 

.... ..... 

.. - -, . 

.... ..... . 

. . 

...... 

. . - . ,.., - - 

..... 

. . 

...... 

. .: _.>. . . ., -J- ..,!!' .:, Qfd&&~:'~~~~~.~~~,.-.:.,. . . , , . '1 .'.. ::' ., :,:::. :,;,I :. ,I. .....'.).,-.j..... .,I. .;:i:::.,<. -. '* : .,:: I:.. :, 

..... ..:... , 2. -. 

...... 

!.: ......... 

: ." 

... ... ....... -, .. . -- : J. ' ..; :. .- 

.... 

.- . 

....... 

I. 

,. . : :. - :. . ! > : .. ;: . - .- -- . . ..... . 

_ .. - - . . 

.... 

_ ..... 

. .- 

.I.-. . 

..... , .. . ' ., .; ..!." . ..,. . . 

.. ...... ..... 

. 7 ' I..:. 

... p6 ;200ii': ' ::. 

I . I. 

. , 1.: . . . ,.,. : .> ..,. Y'. :. . * . . 

... 

. -. . *: , , . '. 

. _.... , -. : 

. ..., .... .......... .. 

. . 

.... . -.. -, . . . :, 5 

.I.... ..... ... ... 

- : . . . . 

... -. ,-.. -. 

......... . . ....... 

-. , .,, .,.* -- ..:. > ,;.:. - i:.:' , . .- ' :. .' . - . 

................... ' .". .:R&dutipnflci. L-@-~~W-OZ -., ,'-:',: - 

.... ... ... 1 - h..... ... .... . .... I. 

. I' 

....... .... .. ..... ....... 

. . 5 , ,: ; .> '' . 

...... 

. . 

........ 

, .. , :'; ...... .... .. 

..,.I 7 ': .p@e~.afii""~ : '1: .: 

......:.... ... .... I :. :. I. . . . 

.... .. .:.. .... ... :, . .... .: :. 

..... -,. . .._. i ....$..: .: . 'IS., . . :. 

... ., - . .- . , I.. 

:. 

.... ...... .. - . . ., 

.... ,, . .... ... 

. .; 

.... 

, . . . . 

.... . . .. ... ... 

. . . . . . ,.-.- , -. 

..... .... 

-. -. . : 

.... ..... ... 

. . 

.... ... ... 

- -. _. .- . . : .."? . ...; . ...- . . :, . . . . . '. -. . I .. '.._ :. . . , -. -. , . . ., ' . . .. - 
ABSENTEE SHAWNEE TRXBE OF OKLAHOMA 

GAMING ORDINANCE: 

Revised and amended January 2005 

TITLE I - DEVELOPMENT, ADMIMSTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT 

Section 101: Absentee Shawnee Tribe Gaming omm mission Established. 

In order to provide for the orderIy development, administration and regulation of dl 

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma gaming enterprises, there is established the 

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Gaming Commission. T& Absentee Shawnee Tribal Govemor 

shdl nominate persons to serve as Gaming Commissioners, subject to confirmation by 

the Tribal Executive Codttee. The Gaming Conmission shall consist ofthree (3) duly 

appointed, part-time gaming comfllissioners, as well as full-time staff departments 

including, but not limited to, Executive Director, Compliance, Surveillance, Background 

Licensing, Internal Audit, and any other departments or divisions that may be required in 

order to accommodate future gaming enterprise growth. The Gaming Commissioners 

shd recommend, and the Govemor shall appoint, a Gaming CoUion Executive 

Director. The Gaming Commission Executive Dimtor shalt report to and receive 

guidance hm the Governor and the Executive Committee on a regular basis. Under the 

diction of the Gaming Commission Executive Director, ~e gaming commission fuUtime staff sMl monitor the triWs garning ente'prisefs) for compliance with all National 

hdian Gaming Commission (NIGC) and tribally prescribed rules, regulations, and 

policies; track, audit, and recommend annual external audit contracts, and verify all 

gaming revenues; prepare appropriate annual Gaming Commission budgets, hire and staff 

all Gaming Commission departments and divisions for all Absentee Shawnee Tribal 

gaming enterprises; inspect and supervise the installation of all gaming equipment; 

perform background investigations of gaming enterprise employees and gaming 

enterprise vendors; recommend the ismaace of, or denial of, Absentee Shawnee Tribal 

gaming licenses; recommend the suspension or revmation of existing gaming licenses; as 

well as my other duties prescribed by the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Executive 

Committee either orally or ip writing. 

A Gaming Commissioner shall be a lay member of the tribal community, or a non-tribal 

memk closely associated with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe. All Gaming 

CoMfnissioners shall me in a part-time capacity only, and any appointment shall be 

based only on the integrity and qudifications of the appointee, and not on popdarity, as 

the nature of the Gaming Commissioner position is to adjudicate and fairly apply the 

mIes, regulations, and poticies adopted by the National Indian Wng Commission, the 

State of Oklahoma, and the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Executive Committee, and not to 

represent the tribal oomunity at large. Said Commissioners shdl be appointsd for a 

period of three (3) years. h order to maintain continuity, the terns for each Gaming 

Commissioner should be staggered such that only one Commissioner is replaced each 

year. A quorum for the conduct of business shall be at least two (2) of the three (3) 

member commission, However, changes to the Absentee Shawnee Tribal Minimum 

hted Control Standards or to the Gaming Commission Policies and Procedures must 
be approved by all three Gaming Commissioners. Each Commissioner is vested with one 

(1) vote for any decision, All Gaming Commissioners, in order to support the high 

standards and strict compliance required of all other gaming enterprise associates, should 

be subject to the same background investigations and licensing standards as all gaming 

enterprise and gaming commission employees, and their investigations should be handled 

in the same manner as any other background investigation, and be conduded by the 

gaming commission's background investigators. During their three (3) year term in 

ofice, Gaming Cornmissioners are prohibited from participating in any aspect of gaming 

in any of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe gaming enterprises and facilities. The 

Commissioners may be. suspended by the Executive Conunittee for ninety (90) days for 

cause. During such suspension the Executive Corninittee may appoint a qualified person 

to act as a replacement for the suspended Commissioner. Further, should any vacancy 

occur in the Gaming Cornmissioner positions, t& nomination process shall be initiated 

by the Govmor and the unexpired portion of the Commissioner's term shall be filled in 

the same manner as the initial appointment of a Commissioner. 

A Gaming Commissioner's duties and ~spnsibilities are limited and specific in order to 

enable each Commissioner to fairly and im@aIIy review and adjudicate all matters 

relating to employee, vendor, and gaming enterprise compliance with dl established 

National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), State of Oklahoma, and tribally prescribed 

rules, regulations, and policies. Grtming Cornmissioners shall review all employee and 

vendor licensing applications and approve the issuance or deny the issuance of valid 

temporary gaming licenses; approve or deny the suspension or revocation of existing 

gaming licenses; hear and decide appeals regarding gaming enterprise employee licensing 

or gaming patron disputes; adjudicate all other matters related to violations of the 

Absentee Shawnee Tribal Minimum Internal Control Stan* brought before. the 

Gaming Commissioners by full-time Gaming Commission departments or divisions; 

review compliance, and internal and extend audit reports to ensure compliance with 

NIGC, Oklahoma State; and tribally prescribed rules, regulations, and policies; review 

surveillance and compliance investigation reports'; and, following EnGC review of all key 

employee gaming license applications, make ha1 ddemimtion regarding the issuance 

of permand ghg li-. Gaming Commissioners shall not attempt to manage, . 

control, manipulate, or influence Absent% Shawnee Tribal gaming enterprise opemtions 

in any way. Gaming Commissioners do not have supervisory authority ova full-time 

gaming cotndssion and therefore should not participate in, direct or attempt to 

influence the outcome, course or direction of a pmkg commission investigation into any 

aspect of comp1imce, surveillance, revenue control, background investigation, or intd 

audit, or any other gaming commission department or division, but must remain 

independent of d gaming operations rtnd investigations so as to be prepared at dl times 

to &ly and impartially judge dl matters brought before them. 

Section 102: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission shall be 

charged with the sole responsibility of administering and enforcing the provisions of this 

Gaming Ordice. 
It shall be the responsibility of the Gaming Commission, under the direction of the 

Executive Director, to promulgate regulations necessary to administer the provisions of 

this Gaming Ordinance. These duties shall include, -. but are not limited to, the foflowing: 

1 - Printing and making available employee and vendor license application forms 

for initial and renewal Iicenses, as well as any other necessary licenses. 

2. Supervising the collection of license fees and other revenues pvcribed in this 

Gaming Ordinance and other tribal ordinances relating to gaming and gamingrelated activities. 

3. Processing dl license applications. 

. . 4. Issuing licenses. 

5. Determining and regulating app1icable license fees. 

6. Performing intend audits and contracting for external audits in accordance 

with NIGC, Oklahoma State, and tribaI rules, regulations and policies. 

7. Reviewing all gaming equipment and gaming operation 'contmcts, records, 

documents necessary and pertinent to the fmncial accountabilities of 

licensees, or.enfoxcement of any provision of gaming equipment and gaming 

operation contracts, agreements, and this or other related gaming ordinances. 

8. Conducting all aspects of gaming licensing. The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Co-ssion shat1 have the power and authority to dmy 

any application, to hit, condition, suspend, or revoke any license, to order 

the imposition of a fine upon any licensed person or gaming vendor for any 

cause deemed reasonable by the Gaming Commission, or to make assessment 

for money owed the Absentee ShEiwnee.TTibe of Oklahoma by contract or 

license agrmept, md to-levy coUection of the same with or without notice. 

9. Performing any other duties ~~ in the Gaming Ordinance or in any 

amendments thereto or other duties which may be h&er specif~ed by the 

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of OHabom Gaming Cammission. 

10. Defending their actions in any court of competent jurisdiction or initiating any 

actions with fhe consent of the Executive Committee. 

Sdon 103: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission may 

exercise any proper power and authority necessary to perform the duties assigned by this 

Gaming Ordinance, and is not limited by any enumeration of powers in the chapter. 
Section 204: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Garning Commission may 

refuse to reveal, at my court proceedings, the identity of any informant, if such revelation 

would subject the informant to bodily ham. - 

Section 105: Regular and special meetings of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma 

Gaming Commission may be held, at the discretion of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Commission, at such times and places as may be convenient and open 

to tribal members, with the notice posted in a public place at least twenty-four (24) hours 

prior to the meeting. 

Section 106: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission may 

organize and form departments or divisions as may be necessary and from time to time 

alter such plan of organization as may be expedient,,. The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Cummissicin shall recommend the budget for operations to the 

Executive Committee, and take any other steps necessary to fulfil1 duties and 

responsibilities under the Gaming Chhance. 

Section 107: In adopting, amending, or repealing any regulations under this Gaming 

Ordinance, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming omm mission shall give 

prior notice of the proposed action to aU licenses and other persons whom the Absentee 

Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission has mason to beleve have a legitimate 

and bona fide interest in such proposed action. 

Section 108: The Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission shall 

afford an applicant for a license or permit an opporhmity for a hearing with the tbree (3) 

Gaming Commissioners prior to final action denying such applications and shall afford a 

licensee or my other person or pemm subject to the Gaming khance the same 

opportunity for a hearing with the three (3) Garning Commissioners prior to taking final 

action resulting in temhthg, revoking, suspending, or Iimiting a lime or any other 

adverse action the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission deems 

appropriate, provided that the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of OkIrthoma .Gaming 

Commission, with the approval of the Executive Director, may summarily and 

temporarily suspend or extend the suspension of a gaming license for sixty (60) days in 

those cases where such action is darned appropriate by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Commission. In cases where a license is suspended prior to a hdg, 

an opportunity for a hearing with the three (3) Gaming Cornmissioners shall be provided. 

Section lU9: Whenever upon specific factual finding the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Commission determines that any person has fded to comply with the 

provisions of the Gaming Ordinance, or any regulation promulgated hereunder, the 

Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming Commission shall make a certification of 

fmdings with a copy thereof to the subject or subjects of that determination. After five (5) 

days notice, and within ninety (90) days thereof, the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of 

Oklahoma Gaming Commission's Gaming Commissioners shall hold a hearing at which 

time the subject shall have the opportunity to be heard and present evidence. 
Section 1 10: At such hearing it shall be the obligation of the subject to show cause why 

the determination is incorrect, why the application in question shail not be denied, whythe license or pennit in question shall not be revoked or suspended, why the period of 

suspension should not be extended, or to sEow cause why special conditions or 

limitations upon a license or permit should not be imposed, or to show cause why any 

other action regarding my other person or pns subject to any action should not lx 

bken. 

Section I 1 1 : Following such hearing the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Gaming 

Commission's Gaming Commissioners &dl within seven (7) days, reach a determination 

concerning the accuracy of the preliminary certifichtion of facts and whether the license 

in guestin should be granted, continued or suspended, revoked, conditioned or limited, 

and whether or not any other action mmended to.or by the Absentee Shawnee Tribe 

of Oklahoma Gaming Commission (including, but -not limited to forfei- or fines) 

should be taken.