Notice of Inquiry and Request for Information; Notice of Consultation

This Notice of Inquiry and Notice of Consultation advises the public that the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is conducting a comprehensive review of all regulations promulgated to implement the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq. The Commission is taking a fresh look at its rules in order to determine whether amendments are necessary to more effectively implement IGRA's policies of protecting Indian gaming as a means of generating Tribal revenue, ensuring that gaming is conducted fairly and honestly by both the operator and players, and ensuring that Tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming operations. The Commission's challenge is to adapt its rules to ensure that they promote these values into the future. This review is also being prepared in order to submit the NIGC's Semi-Annual Regulatory Review to the Federal Register in April 2011 as required by Executive Order 12866 entitled "Regulatory Planning and Review" and the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq. In compliance with Executive Order 13,175 entitled "Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments," the NIGC will hold eight consultations during January and February 2011. This Notice of Inquiry invites comments and information that will assist the NIGC in understanding the need for revising any or all of the regulations outlined below. The consultations and public comments requested in this Notice are intended to assist the NIGC with completion of the review and in establishing priorities. Following completion of the consultation and written comment period, the NIGC will review all comments received and create a comprehensive regulatory review agenda schedule. The public comment period ends February 12, 2011. The regulatory review agenda will be released in April 2011 and will include a summary explaining why the NIGC agreed or disagreed with the comments received and why the regulatory review agenda took its final form.