(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – An amendment authored by U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, M.D. (R-OK) that casts sunshine and transparency to the reporting of tribal gaming revenues today was accepted by the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.  The Coburn amendment, accepted as an amendment to a comprehensive Indian gaming reform bill, would require gaming revenues reported by tribes to the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) be made available to tribal members.  Currently, tribal governments are not required to make available gaming revenue reports.

 

“Sunshine and transparency are essential to providing citizens with the critical information they need to hold their government accountable.  Governments that oppose sunshine and disclosure are much like politicians who oppose campaign disclosure proposals — they have something to hide,” Dr. Coburn said. 

 

“Tribal citizens have a right to know if these revenues are being used to improve the tribe and the lives of its people.  Tribal citizens, if given the facts, can do a far more effective job of holding their governments accountable than the NIGC, the Congress, or any other regulatory scheme.”