The economic, social and policy impacts of tribal gaming will be the focus of a dedicated committee session when the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS) convenes for its Summer Meeting, scheduled for July 12-14 at the Radisson Blu Downtown in Minneapolis.

The NCLGS Committee on Indian Gaming, chaired by Florida Senator Perry Thurston, will hear from the following experts: Shelley Buck, President, Prairie Island Indian Community; Jonodev Chauhuri, Partner and Chair Indian Law and Policy Group, Quarles & Brady LLP, and former Chair of the National Indian Gaming Commission; and Tom Foley, Partner, Foley Quigley PLC

Thurston noted: “Although we are at an impasse in our relationship with the tribes in Florida, we know that the tribal casinos throughout the country have a huge impact on the surrounding communities. They have provided jobs outside of the tribes, generated outside tourism dollars, and given back to their communities.”

He added: “Policymakers need to understand the total impacts of tribal gaming when crafting not just gaming policy but other policies such as economic development, education and human services.”

The three-day NCLGS Summer Meeting agenda includes six legislative committee sessions comprising Casinos, Emerging Forms of Gaming, Indian Gaming, Lotteries, Responsible Gaming, and State-Federal Relations.