NIGC, Washington tribe reach agreement

WASHINGTON, DC, -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- On Friday August 17, 2007, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) Chairman Philip N. Hogen and the Nisqually Tribe of Washington reached an important settlement that resolves several concerns discovered at the Tribe's Red Wind Casino.

NIGC investigators received information concerning compliance issues at the Red Wind Casino in 2006 which led to a warning letter. The issues identified included use of revenues and management of the casino operation by unlicensed Tribal officials. The Tribe has responded favorably to these issues by entering into a settlement agreement.

Under this agreement, the Tribe will now establish a licensed enterprise board to oversee business operations at the Casino. The Tribe will also revise its policies for ticket and other promotional giveaways.

"We had concerns with the utilization of the Tribe's revenues from it's Red Wind Casino and feel the Tribe has enthusiastically moved towards correcting those areas and are quite satisfied with the settlement agreement" Chairman Hogen said.