What is the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act?
The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) is a federal law that was passed in 1988 to regulate gaming on Native American reservations. The Act establishes the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC), which is responsible for regulating and overseeing gaming on Native American reservations. Additionally, IGRA establishes two classes of gaming activities—Class I and Class II gaming. Class I gaming includes traditional gaming activities, such as tribal ceremonies and social gaming. Class II gaming includes other gaming activities, such as bingo, pull-tabs, and lotteries. In South Carolina, the Catawba Indian Nation has a reservation and bingo hall. South Carolina is home to the Catawba Indian Nation and is covered by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, which requires the Catawba Indian Nation to obtain approval from the NIGC before opening a tribal gaming operation. The Catawba Indian Nation also has to negotiate a compact with the state, which will determine the games that can be offered, the number of gaming machines, and the tax rate on gaming revenue. In South Carolina, the state does not allow gaming on Native American reservations, with the exception of the Catawba Indian Nation’s bingo hall. The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act is important because it ensures that Native American gaming operations are transparent and well regulated. It also ensures that states and tribes are able to negotiate and create fair and effective compacts.
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