Derril at Racing and Gaming Conference

It was an honor and a pleasure to moderate the panel on Indian Tribal digital gaming at the Racing and Gaming Conference in Saratoga, New York last week. Thanks to panelists William Brooks, Michelle Cohen and Daniel Wallach, we had an informative discussion about the challenges facing tribal governmental gaming in the digital age as well as possible pathways forward that will allow tribes to offer internet gaming and remain competitive in the constantly evolving gaming market.

The panel discussion included an overview of the many obstacles that tribes have faced since the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act almost 35 years ago, including the challenges presented by the advent of the digital age in gaming. Mr. Brooks discussed the creative compacting model used by the tribes in Michigan to offer internet gaming.

Mr. Wallach discussed the challenges and opportunities presented by the recent Washington D.C. Circuit Court decision in West Flagler Assoc. v. Haaland involving the compact between the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida.

Ms. Cohen discussed the Department of the Interior’s proposed amendments to its regulation (25 C.F.R. pt. 292) regarding the approval of class III tribal-state gaming compacts that are intended to address the advent of internet gaming.

Thanks to conference organizer Patrick Brown of Brown Weinraub and the conference sponsors for the opportunity to participate in this important conference.

The Indian Law Group at mctlaw represents tribes across Indian Country. Our attorneys act as outside counsel for legal issues involving tribal sovereignty and governance, gaming, government contracts, economic development, natural resource development, and issues essential to the success of our tribal clients. Please contact us to see how we can work together.