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Viejas commissioner appointed to NIGC

SAN DIEGO, California -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne today published his notice of intent to appoint Norman DesRosiers, a Tribal Gaming Commissioner for the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). DesRosiers' appointment marks the first time that a tribal gaming commissioner has been appointed to the NIGC, which has broad regulatory authority over tribal gaming in the United States.

Since 1998, Mr. DesRosiers has served as Commissioner and Chief Administrator for the Viejas Tribal Government Gaming Commission. The Commission has 52 full time regulatory staff members and a multi-million dollar budget to oversee the surveillance, inspection, auditing and licensing departments, as well as compliance officers at the Viejas Casino. Located east of San Diego, the Viejas Casino is one of the most successful in California, with 2,500 slot machines, more than 80 table games, a poker room, bingo and off-track wagering.

Viejas Tribal Chairman Anthony Pico said, "We are very proud of Mr. DesRosiers' accomplishments as Gaming Commissioner at the Viejas Casino. He has spearheaded development of what has become one of the most highly-regarded tribal gaming commissions in the nation, and tribal gaming operations across the country will benefit from the knowledge and expertise he brings to the NIGC."

Prior to his position at Viejas, Mr. DesRosiers, was executive director of the San Carlos Apache Gaming Commission and supervisor of casino inspectors at the Ft. McDowell Tribal Gaming Commission near Scottsdale, Arizona.

Mr. DesRosiers, 57, holds a bachelor's degree in law and justice, and previously was employed as a police officer and aerospace engineer. Respected nationally, Mr. DesRosiers served several years as vice president of the Arizona Tribal Gaming Regulators Association, and as Chairman of the National Tribal Gaming Commissioners and Regulators, an organization he helped establish.

DesRosier's appointment to the NIGC is for a period of three years.

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