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NIGC extends public comment period

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -— The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) announced an extension of the public comment period on proposed Classification Standards for Class II games, Definitions for "Electronic or Electromechanical Facsimile," Technical Standards for Class II games and Minimum Internal Control Standards (MICS) for Class II games.

The proposed regulations seek to distinguish technologic aids that Indian Tribes may utilize to play bingo and similar Class II games without Tribal-State compact, from Class III slot machines and electronic facsimiles of games of chance that require a tribal-state compact. The proposed MICS regulations seek to provide regulations to protect tribal assets while still allowing tribes to utilize technological advances in the gaming industry.

Commission Chair Phil Hogen said, "While we've been consulting and discussing the issues framed in these proposed regulations over a long period of time, now that they are formally stated as they are in the rule making process, tribes have asked for more time to study and comment on them. Given the length of the proposals, the importance and complexity of the subjects they address, and the fact that at this time of year there are many other things competing for attention, the Commission felt the right thing to do was to double the period allowed for comments." The original 45-day comment period which had been scheduled to end on December 10, 2007, will now conclude on January 24, 2008.

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