Watchdog for $46 billion tribal gambling industry can’t enforce the law without a chairperson
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — On opening day at the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma’s new Harrah’s-branded casino, the tribe’s chairman watched customers pack the gambling floor while a queue of cars spilled out of the parking lot. “We couldn’t let…
The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) is currently unable to enforce laws and regulations pertaining to the $46 billion tribal gambling industry due to the absence of a chairperson. The commission's last chairperson stepped down in January 2026 and President Donald Trump has not nominated anyone to fill the vacancy. This inaction prevents the commission from carrying out crucial duties such as enforcing violations, approving new tribal gambling laws, and certifying management agreements between tribes and casino operators.
Jonodev Chaudhuri, a former NIGC chair, emphasized that the commission is operating with one arm tied behind its back, making a precarious situation for tribes and Indian gaming. The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, a key player in the industry, is currently experiencing the consequences of this lack of leadership, having to manage a 175,000-square-foot Harrah’s casino themselves, despite having initially intended to outsource the management to the brand.
The tribe's chairman, Jacob Keyes, stated that this situation is discouraging, as they are paying for a full management service but not receiving its full value.
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