Tribal Gaming, Tribal-State Compacts and the IGRA
Attorney John K. Maloney is recognized throughout the United States and internationally for providing knowledgeable, effective legal counsel to individuals and organizations seeking business opportunities with tribal gaming authorities.
Since we opened our offices in Sacramento and Las Vegas more than 15 years ago, our firm has been a leading legal resource for clients involved in every aspect of the tribal game industry. If you are considering working with tribal gaming authorities, or have legal concerns about an on-going situation, contact our offices to schedule a consultation.
Our clients include:
- Vendors, to include manufacturers and distributors of gaming devices
- Casino developers
- Financing institutions
- Software designers
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Game developers
Doing business with tribal casinos — we know the federal laws
Although the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) generally governs the business activities of tribal gaming operations, there are still differences that occur between states. Many vendors who have successfully done business with tribal casinos in one state fail to recognize that procedures and regulatory schemes are different for another tribe in another state. Mr. Maloney's experienced insight and knowledge of the tribal gaming regulatory system throughout the country will clear up the confusion you may be experiencing.
Our firm also works with tribes
Our clients also include tribes that are currently engaged in gaming operations, or that may be seeking a license to begin or expand their operations. John K. Maloney is ready to provide experienced legal counsel about your tribe's rights and responsibilities under management agreements and compliance with federal law and regulations.
Our firm is ready to provide legal counsel for tribal gaming issues relating to:
- Gaming licensing
- Gaming business formation
- Investigation and due diligence of vendors
- Casino management contracts
- Casino operations
- IGRA and federal regulatory compliance
How the Federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act affects your operations
Tribal gaming was first authorized nationwide by the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Among other things, this statute empowered Native American tribes to negotiate with each state to define the terms under which a tribe could conduct Class III casino and other gaming operations. The resulting agreement is called a tribal-state compact. Some states, such as Arizona, retained a great deal of control to license vendors, managers, and employees under its compacts, so that gaming business conducted in Arizona effectively takes place under two separate licensing schemes. On the other hand, New Mexico and Michigan defer all licensing criteria and processes to the tribes with gaming operations in the state.
The federal government, through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), retained limited but important regulatory and enforcement powers over certain aspects of tribal gaming. The BIA approves tribal-state gaming compacts. The NIGC approves tribal casino management contracts, licensing ordinances, and other aspects of gaming operations.
Vendor licensing and regulatory procedures with respect to any transaction depend a great deal on the broad terms of the tribal-state compact and the licensing standards of the individual tribe. John Maloney's familiarity with the successful licensing of many clients and the performance of many tribal gaming sales transactions enables him to provide sound advice based on the local conditions applicable to a given vendor-tribal relationship.
Contact our offices to discuss your specific legal concerns relating to tribal casino law with an experienced gaming lawyer. We work with vendors and tribal authorities throughout the United States and North America.
