Tribal Gaming Commissions

MPKGC partners James Cohen, Michael Pfeffer, Jenny Kim, and John Maier are experienced in advising tribal gaming commissions on a wide range of organizational, legal, and operational matters involving core roles, functions, and regulatory duties of gaming commissions and staff. We recognize the importance of an independent tribal gaming commission, as acknowledged by the National Indian Gaming Commission, which enables gaming commissions to regulate tribal gaming operations with integrity and effectiveness — and thus, in the long run, to best serve tribes and their gaming facilities.

At the same time, decades of representing tribal governments and gaming entities provides us the insights and nuanced understanding needed in order to provide effective counsel to gaming commissions seeking to successfully navigate not only federal and state regulatory systems, but also those internal to their tribes — including the needs of tribal governing bodies and gaming facility management. Our firm and attorneys’ extensive experience in counseling tribal councils and casino management, whether by way of a management agreement or direct management, provides us invaluable insights and expertise in assisting gaming commission clients.

Key to our success in serving as trusted advisors to commissioners and staff is understanding the unique needs and interests of a tribal gaming commission, particularly a newly established one. As counsel, we will be available on a day-to-day basis providing timely response and guidance to any questions. We can also assist when needed to help identify long-term or systemic issues impacting the tribal gaming commission and to guide commissioners and key staff in establishing best practices and effective partnerships with tribal, state, and federal stakeholders. For tribes at the beginning stages of building a casino, we are well-prepared to assist in building a comprehensive regulatory framework and system meeting federal, tribal, and state-compact requirements, as well as with putting in place the internal mechanics for running an efficient and effective tribal governmental agency.

For a consultation about how we can assist with your tribal gaming commission, we welcome you to contact MPKGC.