TULSA, Okla. (AP) — New federal regulations on electronic bingo games will cost Oklahoma’s tribal casinos millions of dollars more than a flawed economic study predicted, the head of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association said.
OIGA Chairman David Qualls said the regulations were a last-ditch effort by a lame-duck National Indian Gaming Commission to act on so-called Class II gaming without congressional oversight.
The gaming commission’s regulations also drew strong criticism from U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., a member of the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma.
“I am deeply concerned about the NIGC’s ongoing reliance on flawed and incomplete data to justify irresponsible and unnecessary regulations on Indian tribes,” Cole told the Tulsa World’s Washington bureau.
“I look forward to a new commission being appointed and I sincerely hope they do not exhibit the same hostility towards the Indian gaming industry that is the legacy of the current commission.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Boren, D-Okla., agrees with the OIGA that the economic impact on the industry will be far greater than the gaming commission states.
“While I understand the need for proper technical standards and oversight,” Boren said, “I am concerned by the lack of consultation from NIGC with Oklahoma’s tribes.”
Both Cole and Boren serve on a the House Natural Resources Committee, which has oversight responsibility for tribal issues.
The NIGC stood by the regulations as well as the process used to complete them.
Effective this week, the regulations were the last two standing after the commission dropped two more controversial proposals intended to draw a clear distinction between Class II, or bingo-type games, and Class III games such as slot machines.
One of the new regulations, the Minimum Internal Control Standards, deals with the physical and communications security of the Class II games and the control of the money and operational systems.
A second, the Technical Standards, pertains to the certification of the equipment and ensures the systems operate properly and remain resistant to tampering.
NIGC spokesman Shawn Pensoneau said the economic impact of the two regulations is expected to be about $7.8 million.
But an OIGA-backed study, conducted by Alan Meister, concluded the economic impact of the two new regulations would be about $145 million.
Local News
<img src="http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/new.gif" border=0> 8:46 a.m. Federal lawmakers lament new gaming regulations
- Local News
-
-
FTC program gains support from national foundation
For Joplin High School junior Drew Holle, taking auto classes at Franklin Technology Center is a family affair. “My dad went here, my brother went here and now I’m here,” Holle said. “I’ve always been into it. My dad owns his own shop. It’s just something I’ve watched him do, so now I want to learn.”
-
City official: SEMA rejects helping individuals pay for safe rooms
Joplin officials were notified Friday by the State Emergency Management Agency that individual storm shelters will not be funded, but a spokesman said that $20 million will be earmarked to build community safe rooms in Joplin schools or elsewhere.
-
Racial slur written on door of church that holds Spanish-language service
When Pastor Greg Earl arrived at Mission of Encouragement Church about 11:30 a.m. last Saturday to do work with his food pantry, he was shocked by what he saw.
-
Lake-business owners worry about any plan to tap Stockton
Two Stockton Lake business owners said their questions were answered Friday about reports that water from the lake might be piped to Joplin at some point in the future.
-
Masonite to add 65 new jobs in Pittsburg
Masonite is expanding its exterior door and glass insert manufacturing plants in Pittsburg, and company officials anticipate a growth of about 65 jobs.
-
Three JHS seniors finalists for national scholarship program
Three Joplin High School seniors have been named finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Siri Ancha, Michelle Barchak and Derek Carter are now among the 15,000 finalists who will be narrowed down to 8,300 winners for corporate-sponsored, college-sponsored and National Merit $2,500 scholarships in the next few months.
-
Play’s issues remain relevant
It’s performed by one of the smallest casts in recent Pittsburg Community Theatre history, but “The Glass Menagerie” will be no less impactful, says director Linden Little.
-
Mike Pound: In case you haven’t heard, Super Bowl is Sunday
If you are reading this on Saturday morning, then you are probably aware that the Super Bowl pre-game show is now in hour number 173. By now, profiles of every person who has ever played in the NFL have been completed and aired.
-
Webb City school official cites Bright Futures reception
Webb City Assistant Superintendent Kevin Cooper pointed to a recent request on the district’s Bright Futures Facebook page as an example of how the community has embraced the new program.
-
Brunner’s wealth would rank high in US Senate
St. Louis businessman John Brunner has already poured at least $1 million into his U.S. Senate campaign.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
Egypt Shaken After Deadly Soccer Riot
New Suits, New Starts for New York's Unemployed
Hall of Famer Dorsett Speaks Out on NFL Injuries
