NIGC enters seventh month without permanent chair
The prolonged vacancy has fuelled speculation over whether political considerations are contributing to the delay.
U.S.- The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has entered its seventh month without a chairperson. Sharon Avery, who had been serving as acting chair, left the position in January after her term expired. The prolonged vacancy has fuelled speculation over whether political considerations are contributing to the delay. The NIGC, which is responsible for representing and defending tribal interests, has been critical of prediction markets.
The vacancy is particularly significant because the commission’s structure gives its chair broad executive authority. Although the NIGC has maintained that it continues to regulate the sector effectively, no enforcement action has been taken since Avery’s departure in January.
Some tribal business projects are also reportedly facing delays. A new Harrah’s casino operated by the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma, for example, cannot outsource certain staffing functions because the arrangement requires approval from the NIGC chair. The restriction has reportedly left the property operating below its potential capacity.
Former NIGC chair Jonodev Chaudhuri warned: “At this crucial time, the NIGC is operating with one arm tied behind its back. That’s a very precarious position for tribes and Indian gaming.”
The NIGC oversees approximately 250 tribal governments and more than 500 gaming facilities. Its responsibilities include enforcement against tribes that violate gaming compacts and the approval of certain business arrangements involving tribal gaming operations. Its permanent chair must be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
