Indian Gaming Regulatory Improvement Act of 2001

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Improvement Act of 2001 (S. 832) seeks to update the federal framework governing tribal gaming operations to better reflect modern technology and regulatory needs. The bill would clarify that electronic aids used in Class II gaming (such as bingo) are exempt from certain transportation restrictions on gambling devices and would establish a new fee schedule to fund the National Indian Gaming Commission’s oversight activities.

For citizens and tribal members, this legislation aims to streamline how tribal casinos are regulated by affirming that Indian tribes hold primary jurisdiction over their gaming activities, provided they meet federal standards for security, background checks, and internal controls. Additionally, the bill would authorize the use of collected fines to provide technical assistance and training grants to tribes, intended to improve the transparency and integrity of gaming operations across the country.