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What Purpose is Served by the Regulation of Tribal Gaming? Federal Perspective
Tribal Perspective • Realize fullest measure of tribal sovereignty • Improve the quality of life and standard of living of the tribal community • Take care of children, families, and elders • Achieve economic self-sufficiency • Create jobs and business opportunities • Provide quality health care • Provide adequate law enforcement • Provide adequate fire protection and suppression services • Protect tribal resources both human and natural • Preserve tribal identity and cultural existence for future generations
• Shield the Indian tribe from organized crime and other corrupting influences • Ensure that the Indian tribe is the prime beneficiary of the gaming operation • Assure that gaming is
conducted fairly and honestly by both the operator and players
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I want to tell the Committee about a young Choctaw man, only 37 years old. He got sick and needed a new kidney, but they told him at the hospital it would cost $250,000 and they wouldn’t do it unless he could put up at least half of the money. When we heard about it, we gave him the money out of our gaming account. The trouble was that we didn’t get all the right approvals from the Tribal Council, so we went back to Council to get their approval of what we did. The Council listened and when we got through, you know what they did? They enacted an ordinance that authorized me to spend the gaming money anytime a tribal member needs a transplant. They said from now on, no Choctaw will ever again die for lack of money.
This is what the gaming means to us.
Testimony of a Tribal Leader before the House Resources Committee on NIGC’s proposed Class II regulations, February 20, 2008, Miami, Oklahoma..
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