What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is a federal law passed by the US Congress in 1988. It is the law that establishes the legal framework for the conduct of Indian gaming, which is regulated by the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC). The IGRA applies to all gaming conducted on Indian lands. The IGRA defines three classes of gaming on Indian lands. The first class, Class I, is for traditional Indian gaming such as tribal ceremonies and social gaming for small prizes. Class II includes bingo, pull-tabs, and non-banking card games that are legal under state law. Class III is for more modern gaming, such as slot machines, blackjack, and roulette. The IGRA also sets out procedures for the negotiation of tribal-state gaming compacts, which set out the terms and conditions under which Class III gaming can be conducted on Indian lands. In New Jersey, the Division of Gaming Enforcement is the state agency responsible for negotiating tribal-state gaming compacts and regulating gaming activity under tribal-state gaming compacts. The IGRA has played an important role in promoting economic development and job creation in Indian Country, as well as providing much needed revenue to tribes to fund educational, health, and housing programs. It has also helped protect the heritage and sovereignty of Indian tribes.

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What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?

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