SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) 25 U.S.C. 2701 et seq., established the National Indian Gaming Commission (Commission). Section 2710 of IGRA authorizes the Chairman of the Commission to approve Class II and Class III tribal gaming ordinances. Section 2710(d)(2)(B) of IGRA, as implemented by NIGC regulations, 25 CFR 522.8, requires the Chairman to publish, in the Federal Register , approved Class III tribal gaming ordinances and the approvals thereof.

IGRA requires all tribal gaming ordinances to contain the same requirements concerning tribes' sole proprietary interest and responsibility for the gaming activity, use of net revenues, annual audits, health and safety, background investigations and licensing of key employees and primary management officials. The Commission, therefore, believes that publication of each ordinance in the Federal Register would be redundant and result in unnecessary cost to the Commission.

Thus, the Commission believes that publishing a notice of approved Class III tribal gaming ordinances in the Federal Register , is sufficient to meet the requirements of 25 U.S.C. 2710(d)(2)(B). Every ordinance and approval thereof is posted on the Commission's website ( www.nigc.gov) under General Counsel, Gaming Ordinances within five (5) business days of approval.

On May 15, 2023, the Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission approved the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Class III Gaming Ordinance. A copy of the approval letter is posted with this notice and can be found with the approved ordinance on the NIGC's website ( www.nigc.gov) under General Counsel, Gaming Ordinances. A copy of the approved Class III ordinance will also be made available upon request. Requests can be made in writing to the Office of General Counsel, National Indian Gaming Commission, Attn: Dena Wynn, 1849 C Street NW, MS #1621, Washington, DC 20240 or at info@nigc.gov.

May 15, 2023

VIA EMAIL

Rebecca Avitia, Executive Director

Absentee Shawnee Tribe Gaming Commission

2025 S Gordon Cooper Dr.

Shawnee, OK 74801

Re: Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Amended Gaming Ordinance

Dear Executive Director Avitia:

This letter responds to your request for the National Indian Gaming Commission (“NIGC”) Chairman to review and approve the Absentee Shawnee Tribe's amended Gaming Ordinance (“Ordinance”). The Absentee Shawnee Tribe's Executive Committee adopted the amended Ordinance by Resolution L-AS-2023-13 on March 15, 2023. Thank you for bringing the Ordinance to our attention and for providing us with a copy. The Ordinance is approved as it is consistent with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and NIGC regulations. If you have any questions or require anything further, please contact Staff Attorney Adam L. Candler at 202-580-5718 or by email at adam.candler@nigc.gov.

Sincerely,

E. Sequoyah Simermeyer

Chairman

cc: John R. Johnson, Governor, Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma

88 FR 38091