Ms. Elizabeth D. Kipp 

Director 

Aubeny Big Sandy Rancheria 

P.O. Box 129 

Auberry, CA 93602 

Dear Ms. Kipp: 

This letter is in response to your request for the National Indian Gaming 

Commission (NIGC) to review and approve the May 2002, Big Sandy Rancheria Band of 

Western Porno Indians (Tribe) Gaming Ordinance No. 02-01 and the Tribal Gaming 

Regulations approved by Resolution No. 0402-03 on May 1,2002. This letter constitutes 

such approval under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). It is important to note 

that the gaming ordinance is approved for gaming only on Indian lands, as defined in the 

IGRA, oveyTe has jurisdiction. 

J 

f Aank you forsubmitting the ordinance for review and approval. The NIGC staff 

an$' look forward to working with you and the Big Sandy Rancheria on future gaming 

u@'k . Hogen 

NATIONAL HEAOQUARTERS 1441 L St. NW, Su~te 9100. Wash~ngton, DC 20005 Tel: 202.632.7003 Fax: 202.632.7066 WWW.NlGC.GOV 

REGIONAL OFFICES Portland. OR; Sacramento, CA. Phoen~x, AZ, St Paul. MN,Tulsa. OK 
BIG SANDY RANCHERIA 

RE: APPROVING, ADOPTING AND SUBMITTING TO THE NIGC THE 

TRIBAL GAMING ORDINANCE AND REGULATIONS 

RESOLUTION NO. 0402-03 

WHEREAS, the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians is a 

federally recognized Indian Tribe ("Big Sandy") and as such is 

authorized to exercise its sovereignty in regulating its own affairs; 

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council is the governing body of Big Sandy; 

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council enacted the Big Sandy Tribal Gaming 

Ordinance ("Ordinance") on May 1,2002, which authorized Class 

11 and Class I11 gaming and established a Tribal Gaming 

Regulatory Agency ("Commission"); 

WHEREAS, the Tribal Council enacted the Big Sandy Tribal Gaming 

Regulations ("Regulations") on May 1,2002 which established the 

procedures that the Commission must follow pursuant to 25 CFR 

Section 501 et. seq., and Article X of the Ordinance to regulate the 

operation of the Big Sandy Rancheria Tribal Gaming 

Establishment ("Casino"); and 

WHEREAS, Big Sandy is complying with 25 C.F.R. Section 501 et. seq. 

through the submission of the Ordinance and the Regulations to the 

National Indian Gaming Commission. 

NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Tribal Council hereby 

exercises its authority in submitting the Big Sandy Tribal Gaming Ordinance and the Big 

Sandy Tribal Gaming Regulations to the National Indian Gaming Commission with a 

request for approval. 

Resolution passed this laday of May 2002, at a duly noticed meeting of the Big Sandy 

Rancheria Tribal Council by a vote of afor, Lagainst, and I abstaining. 

Wilbur Beecher, Tribal Chairman 

3304 1 Auberry Road Suite 101 PO. Box 337 Auberry, California 93602 

Phone: 559.855.4003 Fax 559.855.4 129 
BSR Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

*-. 6 

BIG SANDY RANCHERIA 

ORDINANCE 02-01 

MAY 2002 

BIG SANDY RANCHERIA 

BAND OF WESTERN MONO INDIANS 

TRIBAL GAMING ORDINANCE 

PURPOSE 

The Tribal Council of the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians ("Tribal 

Council"), empowered by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono 

Indians ("Big Sandy"), hereby enacts this Ordinance to govern any and all gaming activity on the lands 

controlled by the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians ("Rancheria"), to establish the Big 

Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians Gaming Commission ("Commission") as an 

administrative branch of the Tribal Council for the regulation of the gaming activities at the Mono Wind 

Casino ("Casino"). 

DEFINITIONS 

a. Unless otherwise specified, the terms used in this document shall have the same meaning 

as they do in the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ("IGRA"), and under 25 C.F.R $501 et 

seq., National Indian Gaming Commission ('WIGC") and the Tribal-State Compact 

entered into on September 10, 1999 ("Compact") signed by the designated authorities for 

Big Sandy and the State. 

b. "Chairperson" in this document refers to the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western 

Mono Indians Tribal Chairperson. 

c. ccCommission" in this document refers to the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western 

Mono Indians Gaming Commission as established under tribal law and designated as 

responsible to carry out Big Sandy's regulatory responsibilities under IGRA, any gaming 

regulations, including the duties and responsibilities set forth in the Tribal-State Gaming 

Compact adopted by Big Sandy. 

d. "Commissioners" shall mean the members of the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western 

Mono Indians Gaming Commission. 

e. "~ommission~r" is the managing commissioner of the Commission. 

Class 11 and I11 gaming as defined in the IGRA, P.L. 100-447,25 U.S.C. Section 2703 (7) (a) and 

by the regulations promulgated by the NIGC at 25 C.F.R 5 502.3 (as published in the Federal Register at 

3304 1 Auberry Road Suite 10 1 F! 0.li3ox 337 Auberry, California 93602 

Phone: 559.855.4003 Fax 559.855.4 129 
BSR Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

57 FR 12382-12393, April 9, 1993) is authorized. Additionally, all forms of Class 111 gaming permitted in 

the Compact between Big Sandy and the State of California are authorized. 

Big Sandy shall have the sole propriety interest in and responsibility for the conduct of any 

gaming operation authorized by this Ordinance. 

ARTICLE N: USE OF GAMING REVENUES 

a. Net revenues fiom Class I1 and Class 111 gaming shall be used only for the following 

purposes: to fimd tribal government operations and programs; to provide for the general 

welfare of Big Sandy and its members; to promote tribal economic development; to 

donate to charitable organizations; or, to help fund operations of local government 

agencies. 

b. If the Tribal Council elects to make per capita payments to Tribal members, it shall 

authorize the payments only upon approval of a plan submitted to the Secretary of the 

Interior under 25 U.S.C. 5 271 0 (B) (3). 

ARTICLE V: AUDIT 

a. Big Sandy shall annually conduct an independent audit of gaming operations and shall 

submit the audit reports to the NIGC. 

b. All gaming related contracts that result in the purchase of supplies, services, or 

concessions in excess of $25,000.00 annually, except contracts for professional legal and 

accounting services, shall be specifically included within the scope of the audit that is 

described in subsection (a) of this Article. 

ARTICLE VI: PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND 

SAFETY 

Class II and Class I11 gaming facilities shall be constructed, maintained and operated in a manner 

that adequately protects the environment and the public health and safety as reflected in a tribal 

environmental ordinance and a public health and safety ordinance. 

ARTICLE W: GAMING COMMISSION 

a. The Commission shall be composed of three (3) to five (5) permanent, full-time 

Commissioners appointed by the Tribal Council. The Commission will include a 

Director, Commissioner-Background Investigations and Commissioner Compliance. The 

increase or decrease in the number of Commissioners shall be the decision of the Tribal 

Council. 

b. Commissioners are employees of Big Sandy and shall be subject to the Personnel Policies 

& Procedures Manual of Big Sandy. This includes pre-employment requirements, 

employee conduct and termination of employment. 

c. Commissioners are prohibited fiom working for any gaming enterprise or gaming facility 

of Big Sandy. 

d. Commissioners may be removed fiom office by the Tribal Council. 
BSR Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

ARTICLE M: SCOPE OF GAMING COMMISSION AUTHOFUTY 

a. Subject to the review and approval of the Tribal Council, the Commission shall have the 

power, duty and primary responsibility to carry out Big Sandy's regulatory 

responsibilities under this Ordinance and any applicable provisions of the Compact, 

pursuant to review and approval of the Tribal Council. The Commission may carry out 

these duties under provisions to include the following: 

1. Inspect, examine and monitor gaming activities and gaming facilities, including 

unrestricted access to any area of the gaming operation, the authority to inspect, 

examine, photocopy and audit all papers, books and records. 

2. Investigate any suspicion of wrongdoing or violations in connection with any 

gaming activities and require correction of violations as the Commission deems 

necessary, including imposing fines or other sanctions established by the 

Commission and the Tribal Council, against licensees or other persons who 

interfere with or violate Big Sandy's gaming regulatory requirements under 

applicable federal or tribal law, and the Compact. 

3. Conduct, or cause to be conducted, investigations in connection with any 

gaming activity as may be necessary to determine compliance with applicable 

tribal, federal or State law, including tribal gaming regulations, or with any 

contracts, agreements, goods, services, events, incidents or other matters related 

to the gaming activities. 

4. Conduct, or cause to be conducted, background investigations regarding any 

person in any way connected with any gaming activities and issue licenses, at a 

minimum, to all key employees and primary management officials according to 

requirements at least as stringent as those required by 25 CFR $9556 and 558, as 

well as any employees, investors, contractors or others required to be licensed 

under standards established by Big Sandy, IGRA and the Compact. 

5. Implement and administer a system of investigating, licensing, monitoring, 

reviewing, and license renewal for the gaming facility, gaming employees, 

gaming contractors and vendors, suppliers, investors and others connected with 

gaming activities, as described below, including the issuance of licenses to 

gaming facilities, individuals and entities as required under tribal gaming 

regulations, IGRA or the Compact. 

6. To the extent required, comply with any reporting requirements established 

under tribal gaming regulations, the Compact and other applicable law, 

including IGRA. 

Implement and monitor regulations in order to comply with the provisions of 

IGRA and the Compact. Ensure their effective enforcement in areas including: 

enforcement of relevant laws and rules; investigations; physical safety of 

patrons, employees, and other persons in the gaming facility; physical 

safeguarding of assets; prevention of illegal activity within the facility or in 

respect to the gaming operation including employee procedures and surveillance 

systems; detention of persons who may be involved in illegal acts for 

notification of law enforcement authorities; recording of any and all incidences 

within the gaming facility; conduct of audits; submission, approval, and 

maintenance of Class 111 game rules; maintenance and approval of surveillance 

system consistent with industry standards; staffing and supervisory standards 

and requirements; and technical standards for the operation of gaming terminals 

and other games consistent with gaming testing laboratory standards. 
BSR Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

8. Impose gaming license fees, sanctions, fines, and conditions established by the 

Tribal Council and renew gaming licenses; deny, suspend or revoke gaming 

licenses; and issue temporary gaming licenses as appropriate under the 

provisions of tribal gaming regulations, IGRA, and the Compact. 

9. Investigate and report violations and compliance failures as required under the 

tribal gaming regulations, IGRA, and the Compact. 

10. Investigate and assure compliance with any requirements for tribal ownership, 

management, and control of the gaming facility and gaming operation, as 

established by tribal or federal law or the Compact. 

11. Investigate and assure compliance with age restrictions for patrons, including 

provisions prohibiting minors in the gaming facility and age limits on service of 

alcoholic beverages, as provided under applicable law. 

12. Issue identification cards or badges to those persons required to be licensed and 

require the cards or badges to be worn at all times while in the gaming facility. 

13. Review and monitor gaming facilities of Big Sandy, issue certifications, and 

assure gaming facility compliance with any inspection and licensing 

requirements under federal or tribal law and the Compact. 

14. Oversee, in conjunction with Casino management, any requirements under tribal 

or federal law or the Compact for the protection of the health and safety of 

gaming facility patrons, guests, and employees, including requirements that 

gaming facilities meet building and safety codes duly adopted by Big Sandy. 

15. Monitor inspections by qualified building and safety experts to review and 

determine compliance with the requirements for gaming facility licensing and 

certification. 

16. Attend all Tribal Council meetings through representation of at least one 

Commissioner and prepare monthly reports for submission to the Tribal Council 

regarding all actions taken by the Commission. 

ARTICLE X: REGULATION OF TRIBAL GAMING 

a. The Tribal Council shall draft Tribal Gaming Regulations in compliance with this 

Ordinance, the Compact, and any other applicable tribal or federal laws. 

b. The Tribal Gaming Regulations shall establish reasonable and progressive standards for 

the regulation of the gaming activities at the Casino and are applicable to the operation of 

the Casino, its employees, patrons, suppliers and vendors. 

c. Big Sandy shall perform background investigations and issue licenses for key employees 

and primary management officials according to requirements that are at least as stringent 

as those in Parts 556 and 558 of Section 25 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS 

This Gaming Ordinance may be amended by a majority vote of the Tribal Council at a duly called and held 

meeting where a quorum is present. 
BSR Tribal Gaming Ordinance 

ARTICLE XU: SEVERABILITY 

If any provision of this Gaming Ordinance shall be declared invalid or illegal under applicable federal or 

tribal law by a court of competent jurisdiction, the invalid provision or provisions shall be severed and the 

remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. 

ARTICLE XIII: REPEAL 

Any Gaming Ordinance which came before this Gaming Ordinance or amendments to any prior Gaming 

Ordinance are repealed and replaced by the enactment of this Gaming Ordinance. 

CERTIFICATION 

ORDINANCE 02-01 

We the undersigned duly elected oficials of the Big Sandy Rancheria Band of Western Mono Indians, 

certify under penalty of perjury that at on May 1,2002 this Tribal Gaming Ordinance was adopted at a duly 

called meeting of the Tribal council, with a quorum present, by a vote of:&for, against, and 

labstaining. # 

&. 1, All 

Wilbur Beecher, Tribal Chairperson 

AlTESTED BY: 

Witness i,cXL[ 

- 4- / -C'X 

Date 

5(.02/ 

Date