NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION

CHAIR’S NOTICE – Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Visit www.NIGC.gov to learn more about the NIGC 3 For 35 Project— a 

year-long project emphasizing the importance of conversations among 

the tribal gaming regulatory community about workforce preparedness.

Date: February 6, 2024

Re: Tribal Gaming Regulation Presentation -2024 ICE

This week I attended the Tribal Gaming Symposium at the 2024 

International Casino Expo (ICE). I participated in a panel 

discussion on the distinctions between Tribal gaming regulation 

in the U.S. versus gaming operations’ regulation in Europe, the 

discussion was hosted by the Indian Gaming Association (IGA). To 

an international audience, I explained what makes Indian gaming 

and its regulatory environment unique:

• Jurisdiction - three jurisdictions are involved in 

differing degrees with Tribal gaming in the U.S. (Tribal, 

federal, and state). Each has a distinct sovereign 

authority and approach to implementing policies and 

standards to meet legislators’ expectations for protecting 

the customer, Tribal assets, and proper industry access by 

operators.

• Regulation - Tribal and state governments’ regulatory 

activity often has more visibility than the federal 

regulatory body because of local risk assessments and a 

close relationship to regional economies.

• Legislation - the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) 

establishes a federal regulatory role distinct from tribal 

governments’ on the ground and comprehensive oversight 

responsibilities. Some of the federal responsibilities 

involve approving management contracts and ordinances, 

receiving facility licenses, and providing technical 

assistance and training support to support Tribe’s 

governance capacity and economic strength, and to protect 

industry resources. These public policy objectives are 

unique to Tribal gaming and makes clear that tribal gaming 

is governmental gaming.

My fellow panelist, Mario Galea, and panel moderator, Derrick 

Watchman, brought to our discussion valuable and thoughtful 

insights based on many years of experience and expertise. And I 

am also grateful to Victor Rocha and the ICE VOX team who 

convened this and many other opportunities for thought provoking 

policy discussions and information sharing.
NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION

CHAIR’S NOTICE – Chairman E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Visit www.NIGC.gov to learn more about the NIGC 3 For 35 Project— a 

year-long project emphasizing the importance of conversations among 

the tribal gaming regulatory community about workforce preparedness.

I am especially grateful to Chairman Ernie Stevens and the IGA 

membership for presenting me the Indian Gaming Association 

Chairman’s Leadership Award during my visit. I value the 

Agency’s relationship with IGA. I am thankful for their years of 

advocacy for the Tribal gaming industry, and the opportunities 

to share important regulatory perspectives with our common 

stakeholders.

About ICE 2024

ICE 2024 was held on February 5-8 in London, England. For more 

than 20 years, international regulators, gaming executives, 

vendors and operators have gathered to trade ideas and learn 

about the best practices across the worldwide gaming industry. 

Find more information about ICE at https://www.icegaming.com/.

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