97-27274. Notice of Public Hearing and Call for Public Comment

[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 199 (Wednesday, October 15, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53658-53659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27274]


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NATIONAL INDIAN GAMING COMMISSION


Notice of Public Hearing and Call for Public Comment

ACTION: Notice of public hearing and call for comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announces a 
public hearing on the effect of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) 
and NIGC regulations on Internet gambling conducted by Indian Tribes.

DATE: The public hearing will be held on Friday, November 14, from 9:00 
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in Washington, D.C. An open forum for public 
participation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

ADDRESS: The public hearing will be held at the Department of Interior, 
Main Auditorium, 1849 C Street, Washington, DC.

WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS: Interested parties are invited to submit comments 
and materials to the NIGC. Such submissions should be sent to Tina 
Bloomquist, NIGC, 1441 L Street, NW, Suite 9100, Washington, DC 20005. 
The comment period closes December 5, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tina Bloomquist, NIGC (see ADDRESS 
section) at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Public Hearing

    The NIGC will hear presentations from invited panelists 
representing Federal, State, Tribal and Corporate interests. There will 
be an open forum session of approximately two hours for the public to 
address the NIGC on issues relevant to the topic. Anyone wishing to 
make an oral presentation at the hearing should submit a request, in 
writing, to Tina Bloomquist at the NIGC address listed above, no later 
than October 30, 1997. Open forum participants should provide their 
name, organization (if any), address and phone number. Oral 
presentations will be limited to five minutes per speaker. Witnesses 
and panelists should prepare their remarks in writing and submit those 
remarks to the NIGC prior to the hearing. Written remarks should be 
limited to 5 pages, single spaced. Witnesses and panelists should bring 
10 copies of their written remarks to the hearing. Such remarks will 
become part of the public comment materials avaialble for inspection.

II. Written Submissions

    Comments may be submitted by facsimile transmission to Tina 
Bloomquist at [phone]. Comments may be filed before, during or 
after the hearing, but no later than December 5, 1997.
    Written comments should include the following information:

1. Name and affiliation of the individual responding;
2. If applicable, information on the submitter's organization, 
including the type of organization (e.g., business, trade group, 
university, or non-profit organization) and the respondent's position.

III. Background

    The NIGC was created by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act of 1988. 
25 U.S.C. Sec. 2701 et seq. The NIGC is responsible for the regulation 
of most forms of gaming on Indian lands. Several Indian tribes 
currently offer gambling opportunities over the Internet, and others 
have expressed interest in doing so. A significant

[[Page 53659]]

amount of controversy exists over the legality of the use of the 
Internet by Indian Tribes as a means of offering gaming. Of particular 
note is the requirement of the IGRA that gaming by Indian Tribes be 
conducted ``on Indian lands.'' 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2710(b)(1), 
Sec. 2710(d)(1) and 25 U.S.C. Sec. 2703(4).
    Particpants in the hearing, and those submitting written comments 
are asked to consider the following questions:
    1. How does the requirement under IGRA that tribal gaming be 
conducted ``on Indian lands'' affect the ability of the tribes to 
engage legally in Internet gambling?
    2. What is the effect of other federal gambling statutes on tribal 
Internet gambling?
    3. What is the scope of available Internet gambling offered by 
Indian tribes today?
    4. What, if any, legislative or regulatory changes are required to 
clarify the effect of the IGRA on tribal Internet gambling?
    5. What are the challenges implicit in regulating Internet gaming 
on Indian lands?
Philip N. Hogen,
Commissioner, National Indian Gaming Commission.
[FR Doc. 97-27274 Filed 10-14-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7567-01-M