The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act’s framework calls on the National Indian Gaming Commission to work in partnership with the Indian gaming regulatory community, tribal government and the gaming industry. Together, we have a common interest in the protection of tribal assets and the promotion of tribal self-sufficiency. Only through partnerships can we meet the commission’s statutory mission as a federal regulatory body.

In my new capacity as commission chairman, I intend to strengthen our partnerships by shaping the agency’s daily work around four emphasis areas: integrity in the Indian gaming industry; accountability in the way the NIGC meets its commitment to good governance; preparedness and planning among tribes and federal partners to ensure the protection of tribal assets; and outreach that will ensure efficient and effective policy development as well as a commitment to the federal-tribal relationship.

• Integrity. Indian gaming’s reputation for sound regulation has helped Indian gaming grow to a multibillion-dollar industry. Protecting the industry’s integrity means protecting an invaluable tool in many communities. Indian gaming enables tribes to create jobs, and can be the lifeblood of tribal programs. It also empowers tribes to explore and strengthen relationships with neighboring jurisdictions.

The agency’s national perspective is a powerful platform to disseminate real-time information that advises operators and gaming authorities about threats to the integrity of this valuable tribal tool. The NIGC’s platform enables it to heighten awareness and mitigate risk around areas of emerging concern.

• Accountability. Only through accountability to sound organizational processes can the NIGC properly meet its obligations. As a federal agency, the NIGC is obligated to uphold good governance practices.

The agency’s decision-making processes need to promote efficient, effective and transparent resolution of matters. Our budget processes need to be forward-planning, and provide opportunities for input from the tribal communities we serve. And the agency’s staff of talented and dedicated subject-matter experts must share a commitment to professionalism and service. It is our responsibility to remain accountable, both as a federal body serving the American people, and as an organization with a mission to protect tribal assets.

• Preparedness. A tribal community’s regulation of Indian gaming operations should be a source of pride for its members and the surrounding communities. The role of tribal lawmakers, regulators and operators in promoting preparedness enhances that pride. Their attention to preparedness ensures a true and accurate plan for assessment, and response is in place to address existing and emerging threats to the people they serve.

Changes in areas of public safety, information protection, natural disaster response, aging infrastructure and workforce resiliency are growing areas for many communities to consider. As new threats emerge, the NIGC can encourage dialogue with policymakers and operations, and promote the best practices that many communities already have in place.

The agency also has a role in facilitating partnerships where appropriate. The ability to assess risk is a core talent of a tribal regulatory body. As tribes and federal partners embrace the opportunity to plan for and protect tribal assets, no matter the location, size or age of an Indian gaming operation, we will enhance the public’s pride in tribes’ oversight of their operations. We will also become an example beyond the Indian gaming industry for ensuring preparedness to protect against evolving threats.

• Outreach. The NIGC has an ongoing obligation to cultivate opportunities for outreach. Outreach ensures well-informed Indian gaming policy development through a commitment to on-the-ground relationships, accessible resources and government-to-government consultation.

Ensuring outreach remains part of the NIGC’s daily operations, and requires innovation on the agency’s part. Using technology can make outreach more cost-effective for tribes. Finding ways to expand regional-level dialogues and enhance the NIGC’s role as a conduit between tribes and potential federal partners is another important opportunity.

The agency has already undertaken changes to support these areas of emphasis:

• The commission established a public-facing process to ensure greater accountability and transparency in how it plans for and updates guidance.
• In order to promote preparedness, the commission began small-group dialogues with tribes to identify opportunities to support tribes’ leveraging their partnerships and risk-assessment capacity. These local dialogues are shedding light on the unique and emerging threats in different areas of the country.
• The agency is standardizing internal practices and communication to ensure all offices and regions interpret and communicate with tribes about potential compliance matters in a uniform way.
• In order to eliminate any jeopardy to the NIGC fingerprint program, the agency is finalizing expired memoranda of understanding, aggressively addressing technology security and improving training requirements.
• The commission committed to conducting public commissioner hearings and receiving testimony on national matters. As chairman, I believe commission hearings are vital to understanding the impact of agency action on local oversight and gaming operations’ success.
• The commission is planning a role for tribal governments’ input in the annual agency budget process in order to promote more forward-looking and accountable planning.
• The NIGC leadership has instituted the “Commission Order”—a new means to clearly state the intent and anticipated outcomes of agency initiatives and projects, while underscoring the independence of each commissioner.

I look forward to working as chairman in cooperation with tribes, the NIGC staff, with their deep institutional knowledge and expertise, Indian gaming industry stakeholders and interested partners to find new opportunities for a strong partnership that promotes the agency’s areas of emphasis.