SUMMARY: The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) proposes to amend its fee regulations by requiring tribes to submit their fees and fee statements on a quarterly basis, basing the fee calculation on the gaming operation’s fiscal year, establishing an assessment for fees submitted one to 90 days late, and establishing a fingerprinting fee payment process.

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The National Indian Gaming Commission (‘‘NIGC’’) announces the delay of the effective date on the final rule for Minimum Internal Control Standards for Class II Gaming. The final rule was first published in the Federal Register on October 10, 2008. The Commission delayed the effective date for portions of the final rule on October 9, 2009, and September 10, 2010. With this document, the Commission further delays the effective date in order to allow the Commission time to convene a Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC), to receive and review input from the TAC, and to thoroughly review comments from the public on any potential amendments to the regulations.

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Washington, DC, August 10, 2011 — The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC/Commission) announced today that it is forming a Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) to assist in the review of Minimum Internal Control Standards and Technical Standards. A thorough examination of the MICS and Technical Standards is an essential element of the regulatory review initiative that the Commission began in November, 2010. The Commission believes a TAC would provide valuable input and practical insight to the regulatory review initiative. "During the 11 consultations held since April, Tribes have expressed their concern with how the Commission will review the MICS. We want to ensure that our review of this very technical area is comprehensive and results in well-informed decision-making." Chairwoman Stevens explained. “Technical regulations such as the MICS and Technical Standards should draw from the expertise of tribal regulators so that the Commission may arrive at fully considered and informed rules.”

Tribes are asked to nominate tribal representatives for membership on the TAC by September 16, 2011. TAC members will serve for one year but the NIGC anticipates the TAC’s work to be completed by March 31, 2012 in order for a final rule to be issued in late summer 2012.

AGENCY: National Indian Gaming Commission.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given, pursuant to 25 CFR 514.1(a) (3), that the National Indian Gaming Commission has adopted final annual fee rates of 0.00% for tier 1 and 0.074% (.00074) for tier 2 for calendar year 2011. These rates shall apply to all assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission. If a tribe has a certificate of self-regulation under 25 CFR part 518, the final fee rate on class II revenues for calendar year 2011 shall be one-half of the annual fee rate, which is 0.037% (.00037).

Washington, DC May 19, 2011 — National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairwoman Tracie L. Stevens issued a notice of violation (NOV) against Bettor Racing, Inc. (Bettor Racing); its owner, J. Randy Gallo; and the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe (Tribe). The NOV was issued against Bettor Racing and J. Randy Gallo for managing without an approved contract, managing under unapproved modifications to a management contract, and possessing a proprietary interest in the gaming activity. The NOV was issued against the Tribe for allowing Bettor Racing and J. Randy Gallo to manage without an approved contract, operating under unapproved modifications to the management contract, using net revenues to pay bonuses in excess of an approved management contract, and for not submitting management letters to NIGC.

514.1 Annual fees.

(a) Each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission shall pay to the Commission annual fees as established by the Commission. The Commission, by a vote of not less than two of its members, shall adopt the rates of fees to be paid.

Changes to CGCC-8 Protects Sovereignty and keeps the state out!

A proposed amendment (attached) to the Uniform Tribal Gaming Regulation (CGCC-8) will provide a safe harbor from internal control reviews conducted on Tribal Casinos by the division of gambling control.

VIENNA, Va. – The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today announced the assessment of a $250,000 civil money penalty against The Lower Sioux Indian Community, doing business as Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel of Morton, Minnesota for violating Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) requirements for casinos. The Casino, without admitting or denying the allegations, consented to the payment of civil money penalties which were assessed for violations of the anti-money laundering program, reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the BSA.

Washington, DC April 4, 2011 — On Monday, April 4, 2011, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC/Commission) published a “Notice of Regulatory Review Agenda Schedule and Notice of Tribal Consultations" in the Federal Register, notifying Tribes of its regulatory review agenda and related upcoming consultation schedule.

SAN FRANCISCO – A federal grand jury in San Francisco has charged 15 individuals with committing racketeering, extortionate extension of credit, and narcotics offenses at and through two Bay Area casino card clubs, Artichoke Joe’s Casino and Oaks Card Club (the casinos), United States Attorney Melinda Haag announced.

VIENNA, Va. – The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) today announced that March 1 is the effective date for FinCEN’s rules and regulations which have been reorganized within a new Chapter X of Title 31 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). FinCEN’s rules have been reorganized and renumbered into a new tenth chapter of Title 31 which appears as “Title 31 Chapter X – Financial Crimes Enforcement Network.” FinCEN has not made any substantive changes to the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) rules.

The National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission) has adopted preliminary annual fee rates of 0.00% for tier 1 and 0.074% (.00074) for tier 2 for calendar year 2011. These rates shall apply to all assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation under the jurisdiction of the Commission. If necessary, the Commission will modify this rate no later than July 1, 2011.