The Federal
Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of 1988 mandates that states negotiate Gaming
Compacts with Tribes to identify what types of games will be conducted on
Tribal lands and to define how such games will be regulated. All eleven
federally recognized Tribes in Wisconsin have entered into Class III Compacts
with the State to operate a combined total of twenty-three gaming locations. The
Wisconsin Division of Gaming, Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance
(OIGRC) was established to oversee and enforce the Compacts and began operation
in October 1992. The OIGRC's role is to provide a consistent and unified
regulatory approach to Tribal gaming as conducted under these Compacts.
General Information
The Division of Gaming is entrusted by the State/Tribal Gaming Compacts with the
regulation and oversight of Class III Indian Gaming. This includes the
verification of electronic games in accordance with the State/Tribal Gaming
Compact provisions. The regulatory role of the Division of Gaming is to ensure
that the games are operated fairly and honestly by both the Tribes and the
players; and to protect against corrupt influences in the conduct of Class III
gaming operations. The Division of Gaming staff provides technical information
to the Governor regarding the determination of the types of gaming that may be
conducted on Indian lands and in the negotiation of the State/Tribal Gaming
Compacts required by federal law. The Division of Gaming, through the Office of
Indian Gaming, performs on-site compliance audits of the tribal gaming
facilities to verify compliance to the provisions of the State/Tribal Gaming
Compacts. Gaming-related contractors intending to enter into contracts with the
respective Tribes undergo background investigations by the Office of Indian
Gaming and are licensed by the Division of Gaming.
Structure – The OIGRC serves as the gaming liaison between the State and the
Tribes. The regulatory and oversight authority granted to the OIGRC by the
State/Tribal Compacts focuses on electronic games of chance, roulette, craps,
blackjack and an assortment of table games, the financial and internal controls
of the casinos as well as the certification of gaming-related contractors
conducting business with the Tribes
Field Audits – The OIGRC is responsible for monitoring the compliance of
gaming operations by the respective Tribes. This is done through the regular
review of slot machine data provided by the tribes as well as through the
conduct of on-site audits of Tribal gaming facilities. The Compacts also require
that the Tribes notify the OIGRC each time electronic games of chance are
installed, modified or removed so the OIGRC can maintain an accurate inventory.
As an additional measure, gaming-related contractors who supply electronic games
of chance to the tribes are required by the State/Tribal Compacts to certify to
the OIGRC that such games have been approved by an independent testing
laboratory for play in Wisconsin.
Finance Audits – While the Field Audit Section tests the compliance of
electronic games of chance at the various Tribal gaming facilities, the
Financial Audit Section analyzes the respective casinos' revenues and internal
control procedures. The Financial Audit Section also determines the amount of
and is responsible for collecting any Tribal payments based upon gaming revenues
that are due to the State. Additional duties of the Financial Audit Section include
reviewing the financial records of gaming-related vendors, their principals and
their key employees as well as conducting any additional reviews which might be
necessary to better ensure the fairness and integrity of gaming operations in
Wisconsin.
Field Audits – The OIGRC also investigates and certifies gaming-related
vendors. Vendors conducting gaming-related business in excess of $10,000 per
year with any Wisconsin Tribe are required by the Compacts to apply to the OIGRC
for a gaming-related contractor certificate. Upon receipt of a vendor's
application, OIGRC staff conducts background investigations on the applicant and
its principals or key employees in an effort to determine, pursuant to the
provisions of the Compacts, the qualifications and fitness of the contractor to
hold a gaming-related certificate. No person or entity may enter into or
maintain a gaming-related contract involving total consideration in excess of
$10,000 in any year unless the Gaming Commission issues it a certificate. The
initial fee for this certificate for vendors is $4,300 for in-state vendors and
$6,700 for out-of-state vendors. Certificates are renewable annually and the
renewal fee is $2,300 for in-state vendors and $3,700 for out-of-state vendors.
An applicant must specify the tribe with which the applicant seeks to do
business. If a tribe is not listed in the application the vendor will not be
permitted to do business in excess of $10,000 per year with that tribe until
prior notification is given to The Wisconsin Gaming Commission.
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Regulators:
State of Wisconsin
Department of Administration
Division of Gaming
101 East Wilson Street
Madison, WI 53702
Phone: (608) 270-2555
Fax: (608) 270-2564
Division Administrator: Jonnie Smith
Contractor Liaison: Maribeth Stanley
Tribal Commissions:
Forest County Potawatomi Executive Council
P.O. Box 340
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 634-8934
Fax: (715) 478-5280
Chairperson: Gus Frank
Lac Courte Oreilles Governing Board
(Lac Court Orielles Casino)
Route 2, Box 2700
Hayward, WI 54843
Phone: (715) 634-8934
Fax: (715) 634-4797
Chairperson: Louis Taylor
Lac du Flambeau Tribal Council
(Lake of the Torches Casino-Bingo)
P.O. Box 67
Lac du Flambeau, WI 54538
Phone: (715) 588-3303
Fax: (715) 588-7930
Chairperson: Henry St. Germaine
Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin
P.O. Box 910
Keshena, WI 54135-0910
Phone: (715) 799-5114
Fax: (715) 799-3373
Chairperson: Joan Delabreau
Red Cliff Tribal Council
88385 Pike Road, Highway 13
Bayfield, WI 54814
Phone: (715) 779-3700
Fax: (715) 779-3704
Chairperson: Ray DePerry
St. Croix Council
P.O. Box 287
Hertel, WI 54845
Phone: (715) 349-5768
Fax: (715) 349-5768
Chairperson: David Merrill
Sokaogon Chippewa Tribal Council
Route 1, Box 625
Crandon, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 478-2604
Fax: (715) 478-5275
Chairperson: Sandra Lewis
Hu-Chunk Nation Tribal Office
P.O. Box 667
Black River Falls, WI 54520
Phone: (715) 284-9343
Fax: (715) 284-9805
President: George R. Lewis
Stockbridge-Munsee Tribal Council
P.O. Box 70
Bowler, WI 54416
Phone: (715) 682-7111
Fax: (715) 793-4856
Chairperson: Robert Chicks
Bad River Tribal Council
(Bad River Cainso)
P.O. Box 39
Odanah, WI 54861
Phone: (715) 682-7111
Fax: (715) 682-7118
Chairperson: Donnald Moore
Oneida Tribal Council
P.O. Box 365
Oneida, WI 54155-0365
Phone: (920) 869-4376
Fax: (920) 869-4040
Chairperson: Sheku Akweku
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