Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance

TIGA Release on Support Letter from Isle of Man

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

The Government of the Isle of Man, a recognized world leader in internet gaming, has issued a letter of recognition and support to the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA).  The letter can be viewed here.  The letter states, in part:

“The Isle of Man (we) are pleased to recognize the treaty organization that is known as the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA).  We recognize TIGA’s mission is to facilitate, offer, regulate and promote legal internet gaming on behalf of its member tribes, consistent with the highest standards of security, integrity and accountability and see this as a positive platform from which TIGA members can act together, to facilitate, offer and promote legal internet gaming for the benefit [of] its member tribes.”

The Island’s letter goes on to discuss the possibility of the Isle of Man and TIGA entering into inter-jurisdictional agreements regarding internet gaming: “We understand that the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA) is an inter-governmental treaty organization of sovereign tribes, capable of exercising certain delegated governmental powers on behalf of each member tribe.  As such, we would be pleased to engage with TIGA to facilitate the opportunity for TIGA and the Isle of Man jurisdiction to negotiate, enter and/or establish inter-jurisdictional agreements for mutual benefit.”

The TIGA Treaty Council extends its warmest “thank-you” to the Government of the Isle of Man and looks forward to a long and productive international relationship for the mutual benefit of our governments.

TIGA is an inter-tribal treaty organization open to all federally recognized tribes and Alaskan Native Villages.  As of February 25, 2014, TIGA has two member tribes that have ratified the TIGA Treaty under tribal law: 1) the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians; and 2) the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

In addition to the Letter of Support from the Isle of Man, TIGA has received a Resolution in Support from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission in Canada.

TIGA Informational Meeting Agenda — Jan. 17, 2014

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here:

TIGA Meeting Agenda 1 17 2014

Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance Launches Website

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

The Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA) launched a website: http://www.tribalinternetgamingalliance.com/

This is not yet a gaming website.  TIGA is still in the organizational stage.  Please note that there are three sign-up windows on the site for people to receive more information, including a window for members of the media to receive TIGA announcements.

WaPo Article on Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here.

Jeffrey Nelson Opinion Piece on TIGA

Matthew L.M. Fletcher

Here (subscription required but you can sign on for free trial):

Indian law attorney Jeffrey Nelson looks at the new Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance and its impact on the tribal gaming landscape

Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance Formed

Matthew L.M. Fletcher4 Comments

Materials here:

LDF-TIGA Media Release

TIGA Fact Sheet 2013-10-21

TIGA Treaty (Final) 2013-7-25

Press release text here:

Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance forming 25 Years After IGRA
 

Twenty-five years to the day after Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa began a new era of Indian gaming.  On October 17, 2013, the Tribe’s governing body voted unanimously to ratify an inter-tribal agreement to create the Tribal Internet Gaming Alliance (TIGA).  The agreement, being called an inter-tribal treaty, will organize tribes across the country to both offer and regulate internet and mobile phone gaming.  Until laws change, TIGA will accept real-money wagers only from people who are physically present in the member tribes’ jurisdictions, such as patrons at tribal casinos and visitors to other tribal lands.  When customers are outside of tribal jurisdiction, the games will be fun-play and will offer casino promotions.  Games will be those categorized as class II under IGRA, such as slot-like bingo, traditional bingo, pull tabs, and poker.  Because the games are class II, no tribal-state compacts will have to be amended.    

 

Using this strategy, TIGA tribes will jump ahead of the online competition and get extremely valuable experience with real-money wagering before other tribes and gaming operations.  The idea for TIGA began among tribes in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan.  TIGA developments are now being followed by 28 tribes in 13 states.

 

Attached you will find: 1) a TIGA Fact Sheet; 2) a media release from the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; and 3) a copy of the TIGA Treaty. 

 

If you have any questions or would like to have a unique quote, please contact me.  I am an Indian gaming attorney at the law firm of Kanji & Katzen, a former Senior Attorney at the National Indian Gaming Commission and a former Assistant Solicitor at the United States Department of the Interior.  You may reach me by email or at (202) 261-6528.

 
Jeffrey Nelson, Counsel
Kanji & Katzen, PLLC
1250 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC  20036
Office:   (202) 261-6528
Mobile: (202) 746-6149