Andrea Joy Campbell: “today I introduce the Indian Gaming Enforcement and Integrity Act of 1997. The purpose of this legislation is to reform…”

“today I introduce the Indian Gaming Enforcement and Integrity Act of 1997. The purpose of this legislation is to reform the current regulatory fee structure administered by the National Indian Gaming Commission [NIGC], the regulatory agency responsible for monitoring and regulating Indian tribal government gaming. The essence of any regulatory agency is in its ability to monitor activities within its purview and to act decisively in enforcing violations of the law. The NIGC is no different and it has depended on regulatory assessments and Federal appropriations to carry out these vital roles. When Congress enacted and the President signed into law, the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act [IGRA], two principal goals were sought: To provide a statutory basis for the operation of Indian gaming as a means of promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments; and, second, to provide a statutory basis for the regulation of the Indian gaming industry to shield it from corrupting influences. Since its enactment in 1988, the Indian gaming industry has grown tremendously, where today it is a multibillion dollar industry. As a result, the IGRA is beginning to provide many tribal governments with the wherewithal to provide basic services to their members. Where poverty once reigned on Indian reservations, economic opportunity now abounds.”