As this firm discussed in a prior client alert, the Department of the Interior (DOI) published proposed amendments to 25 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 293, which governs the review and approval of tribal-state gaming compacts for Class III gaming. The public comment period was extended and DOI was still taking comments into late June. These proposed amendments remain pending, but if finalized, are likely to result in an historic expansion of online tribal gaming.

Passed in 1988, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, 25 U.S.C. § 2701, et seq. (IGRA) was meant to “provide a statutory basis for the operation of gaming by Indian tribes as a means of promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments.” IGRA was intended to balance the interests of the tribes, the states, and the federal government with respect to Indian gaming and apportion responsibility for regulating it accordingly.

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