Section 1. |
Scope. This Code shall apply to all games conducted within the territorial jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma. |
Section 2. |
Purpose. This Code is intended to promote the peace, safety and welfare of all persons coming within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma by insuring that any game conducted within the tribal jurisdiction is conducted in a fair and responsible manner and that the public order, peace, and safety be maintained and this Code shall be liberally construed to promote such purpose. |
Section 3. |
Definitions. As used in this Code the term: (a) "Gaming" shall include all games in manner, type and definition as described in Public Law 100-497. (b) "Court" means the District Court Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. (c) "Executive Committee" means the Shawnee Tribal Executive Committee. (d) "Public Gaming Commissioner" or "Commissioner" means that person designated by the Governor of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and confirmed by the Executive Committee to fulfill said office. |
Section 4. |
Gaming Prohibited--Exceptions. No person or legal entity shall conduct any game subject to the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, without a license issued pursuant to this Code. No games shall be played which are not conducted pursuant to Federal Public Law 100-497 and this Code. |
Section 5. |
Manner of Filing Instruments with Commissioner. Any document, affidavit, return, report, fee or other instrument or payment required to be filed with, delivered to, or served upon the Commissioner by this Code shall be deemed to be properly filed, delivered, or served, as the case may be if it is filed, delivered, or served upon the Tribal Administrator at the Tribal Complex, or such other employee of the Tribe as the Commissioner shall authorize in writing. |
Section 6. |
Issuance of instruments by Commissioner. Any registration form receipt, or other instrument which the Commissioner is required or permitted to issue pursuant to this Code, may be issued by the Tribal Administrator or such other employee of the Tribe as the Commissioner shall authorize in writing. Issuance by any such authorized person shall have the same effect as if such instrument were personally issued by the Commissioner. |
Section 7. |
Authorizations to be Posted. The written authorizations mentioned in Sections 5 and 6 of this Code shall be conspicuously posted in the Tribal Complex. |
Section 8. |
Audits and Reviews. Any individual, organization or corporation which applies for or receives a license to conduct gaming pursuant to this Code shall be deemed to have consented to the jurisdiction of the Courts of the Absentee Shawnee tribe of Oklahoma, the Tribe's laws, and shall be subject to seizure of any funds owed and audit and review of records by authorized accounting or law enforcement agencies of the Tribe without notice or warrant. |
Section 9. |
Citation. This Code may be citec3 as the "Absentee Shawnee Gaming Code of 1990." |
Section 101. |
Office of Public Gaming Commissioner Established. In order to provide for the orderly development, administration, and regulation of gaming, as well as other authorized enterprises within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Indian Tribe of Oklahoma, there is established the office of Public Gaming Commissioner. The Governor shall nominate a person to serve as the Commissioner, subject ·to confirmation by the Executive Committee. Said Commissioner shall be seated for a period of three (3) years. The Commissioner may be removed from office prior to the end of any term only for cause by Ordinance. The Commissioner may be suspended by the Executive Committee for 90 days. During such suspension the Executive Committee may appoint a qualified person to act as Commissioner. Further, should any vacancy occur in the position of Commissioner, the nomination process shall be initiated by the Governor and the unexpired portion of the Commissioner's term shall be filled in the same manner as the initial appointment of Commissioner. |
Section 102. |
A. The Commissioner shall be charged with the sole responsibility of administering and enforcing the provisions of this Code. B. It shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner to promulgate regulations necessary to administer the provisions of this Code. These duties shall include but not be limited to the following: (1) Printing and making available application forms for initial and renewal licenses, as well as any other necessary licenses. |
Section 103. |
The Commissioner may exercise any proper power and authority necessary to perform the duties assigned by this Code, and is not limited by any enumeration of powers in this chapter. |
Section 104. |
The Commissioner may refuse to reveal, at any court proceedings, the identity of any informant, if such revelation would subject the informant to bodily harm. |
Section 105. |
Regular and special meetings of the Commissioner may be held, at the discretion of the Commissioner, at such time and places as may be convenient and open to tribal members, with notice posted in a public place at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. |
Section 106. |
The Commissioner may organize and form divisions as may be necessary and from time to time alter such plan of organization as may be expedient. The Commissioner shall recommend the budget for operations to the Executive Committee, and take any other steps necessary to fulfill duties and responsibilities under the Code. |
Section 107. |
In adopting, amending, or repealing any regulations under this Code, the Commissioner shall give prior notice of the proposed action to all licensees and other persons whom the Commissioner has reason to believe have a legitimate and bona fide interest in such proposed acti on. |
Section 108. |
The Commissioner shall afford an applicant for a license or permit an opportunity for a hearing prior to final action denying such applications and shall afford a licensee or any other person(s) subject to this Code the opportunity for a hearing prior to taking final action resulting in terminating, revoking, suspending, or limiting a license or any other adverse action the Commissioner deems appropriate; provided, that the Commissioner may summarily temporarily suspend or extend suspension of license for sixty (60) days in those cases where such action is deemed appropriate by the Commissioner. In cases where a license is suspended prior to a hearing, an opportunity for a hearing shall be provided. |
Section 109. |
Whenever upon specific factual finding the Commissioner determines that any person has failed to comply with the provisions of this Code or any regulation promulgated hereunder, the Commissioner shall make a certification of findings with a copy thereof to the subject or subjects of that determination. After five (5) days notice and within ninety (90) days thereof, the Commissioner shall hold a hearing at which time the subject shall have an opportunity to be heard and present evidence. |
Section 110. |
At such hearing it shall be the obligation of the subject to show cause why the determination is incorrect, why the application in question shall not be denied, why the license, licenses, or permit in question shall not be revoked or suspended, why the period of suspension should not be extended, or to show cause why special conditions or limitations upon a license or permit should not be imposed, or to show cause why any other action regarding any other person or persons subject to any action should not be taken. |
Section 111. |
Following such hearing the Commissioner shall within seven (7) days, reach a determination concerning the accuracy of the preliminary certification of facts and whether the license in question should be granted, continued or suspended, revoked, conditioned or limited, and whether or not any other action recommended to or by the Commissioner (including but not limited to forfeitures or fines) should be taken. |
Section 201. |
License reguired. Any person conducting Gaming operations on property within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma shall be required to have and display prominently an appropriate, valid and current Public Gaming license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Code. Any other forms of public gaming operations being conducted within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma without the lawful written approval of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma Public Gaming Commissioner are prohibited. |
Section 202. |
Classes and Fees. Different classes of licenses shall be issued, and each shall have a separate fee, and each shall grant separate privileges. Each license shall be for a specific place, and licensees desiring to operate multiple locations shall be required to obtain multiple licenses. Licensee shall operate and conduct only those activities authorized under each license as listed below and as may be further specified in regulations promulgated hereunder:A. Class "A". A Class A License may be issued to any person or group which holds a valid gaming license from the State of Oklahoma or its political subdivision, at an annual rate of $600.00 or a monthly rate of $50.00 for the revocable privilege of conducting gaming for the remainder of the licensed period. |
Section 203. |
Exemptions. The following activities are not public gaming operations under the terms of this Code, and therefore do not require- a license under this title:A. Gaming not for gain. Gaming in which no cash or valuable prizes are won, other than "points" for cumulative competitive ratings, or "places" for immediate competitive rankings, is not subject to the provisions of this Code. However, gaming for gain which is conducted by a non-profit organization is subject to the requirements of this Code if cash or valuable prizes are awarded. "Valuable prize" means an object or service worth $100.00 (One hundred dollars) or more in fair market value. |
Section 204. |
All persons or organizations who may seek to engage in public gaming activities with the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma must apply for the same at least thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled activities. All other licenses must be applied for no less than sixty (60) days prior to the scheduled activities. |
Section 205. |
Every licensee intending to continue engaging in public gaming activities within the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma during the next following calendar year shall apply for renewal of the license at least thirty (30) days prior to the end of the previous license period. |
Section 206. |
Every licensee shall display in a prominent place a current and valid license for that location. |
Section 207. |
When a licensee changes a location of public gaming activities within the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, the Commissioner shall issue a corrected license for the balance of the current period reflecting the new address upon reasonable proof of change of address and without imposition of an additional license fee. |
Section 208. |
Fees. Each application for an initial or renewal license shall be accompanied by payment of the license fee. Subject only to the appeal as provided under this Code, the Commissioner's determination of the license fee properly owed under this Code shall be final. This fee is imposed for the revocable privilege of being licensed to engage in public gaming activities within the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. |
Section 209. |
Non-transferability. The license issued pursuant to the provisions of this Code is valid only for the person(s) or organization(s) at the place of business shown on the face thereof. It is not assignable or otherwise transferable to any other person or organization or for any other location without the written approval of the Commissioner. |
Section 210. |
All license fees shall be paid to the Treasury of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. |
Section 211. |
The Public Gaming Operations license is a revocable privilege, and no holder thereof shall be deemed to have a part in any vested rights therein or thereunder. The burden of proving qualifications to hold any license rests at all times in the licensee. The Commissioner is charged by law with the duty of continually observing the conduct of all licensees to the end that licenses shall not be held by unqualified or disqualified persons or unsuitable person(s) whose operations are conducted in an unsuitable manner. |
Section 212. |
Violation of any provisions of this Code or any of the Commissioner's rules by a licensee, his agent, or employee shall be deemed contrary to the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and the inhabitants of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, and shall be deemed grounds for affirmative Commissioner action. Such Commissioner action shall include, but not be limited to:A. Suspension or revocation of a license; |
Section 213. |
Acceptance of a license or renewal thereof, or condition imposed thereon, by a licensee constitutes an agreement on the part of the licensee to be bound by all ·the regulations and/or conditions of the Commissioner and by the provisions of this Code as the same are now or may hereafter be amended or promulgated. It is the responsibility of the licensee to keep himself informed of the contents of all such regulations, provisions, and conditions, and ignorance thereof will no excuse the violations. |
Section 214. |
As a provision of licensing, all contracts or agreements with the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma that include gaming or related activities must be reviewed by the Commissioner. Upon such review the Commissioner shall reform all gaming contracts to comport and comply with existing tribal and federal law. Any reformation provisions shall be prepared in writing and delivered to the Executive Committee and all other parties to the contract. |
Section 215. |
Any person or entity entitled to receive notice of reformation subject to Section 214 may request a hearing for reconsideration of the Commissioner's reformation, provided such request is made within ten (10) days of delivery of reformation provisions. The Commissioner, upon such request, shall promptly set a hearing date, notify any person or entity entitled to notice pursuant to Section 214 of the hearing date in writing. At the hearing the Commissioner shall receive testimony and exhibits to determine whether to amend the reformation provisions prepared pursuant to Section 214. In no event shall the Commissioner delay a hearing requested pursuant to this section more than forty-five (45) days beyond the date of issuance of notice of reformation pursuant to Section 214. |
Section 216. |
At the conclusion of any hearing required by Section 215, the Commissioner shall within five (5) days render a written decision. Said decision shall contain a determination that reconsideration is warranted or not warranted. If reconsideration is warranted the Commissioner shall state whether any reformation is necessary and if so shall fully describe the contract reformation imposed. Nothing herein shall prevent the Commissioner from withdrawing his original determination that reformation is necessary. A copy of the decision of the Commissioner shall be sent immediately to the Executive Committee and all other parties to the reformed contract. |
Section 217. |
Within ten (10) days of the decision of the Commissioner issued pursuant to Section 216 the Executive Committee or any other parties to the reformed contract may initiate an appeal to tribal district court. The court shall review the decision of the Commissioner to determine whether his final reformation decision is an abuse of Commissioner discretion. If the court determines that no abuse of discretion exists, the Commissioner's decision shall stand as written. If the court determines that the Commissioner's decision is an abuse of discretion, the court shall vacate the decision and shall direct the Commissioner to prepare reformation if any is necessary pursuant to court order. |
Section 218. |
Effective date. Reformation of a contract pursuant to Section 214 shall be effective upon expiration of the time available for a reconsideration by the Commissioner provided reconsideration is not requested. If reconsideration is requested, the reformation shall be effective upon the expiration of time for appeal to tribal court if no appeal is pursued. If tribal court appeal is pursued the effective date shall be ten (10) days from the date of decision by the tribal district court and provided that such reformation shall be consistent with the tribal court decision. |
Section 301. |
Records, Returns and Audits. It shall be the responsibility of the Public Gaining Commissioner to promulgate regulations establishing proper accounting procedures and methods of operations for all licensees, so that all monies or things of value received and/or paid out may be properly monitored and accounted for. All licensees under this Code shall be required to keep an approved accounting system, which shall comply with, but not be limited to all applicable provisions of this Code or regulation of the Commissioner. Said accounting system shall reflect all business and financial transactions involved or connected in any manner with the operation and conducting of activities authorized by this Code. |
Section 302. |
All licensees shall charge players only for the cards to be used in each game. The rate to be charged players for cards or packs shall be fixed by each licensee and posted conspicuously on the premises. Each person paying for the opportunity to participate in a game shall be given an approved receipt for the card or pack, which shall be numbered and dated, which can be readily identified as belonging to that licensee. Each card or pack issued shall represent a specific amount of money which has been paid to the licensee. The amount of money represented by each card or pack issued shall be clearly made known to all players prior to anyone paying to participate in the activity. |
Section 303. |
Any delay, maneuver or action of any kind, which in the opinion of the Commissioner, is effectuated by any licensee to unlawfully avoid paying the proceeds properly owing to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma shall constitute grounds for taking any disciplinary action deemed necessary by the Commissioner, including but not limited to fining, revoking, suspending, limiting, or refusing to renew the license of any licensee. Further, the Commissioner shall have authority to make assessments of monies owed to the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma by contract or taxation and may levy collection of the same with or without notice. |
Section 304. |
No applicant, licensee, or employee thereof shall neglect or refuse to produce records or evidence under his control, or to give information upon proper and lawful demand by the Commissioner, or shall otherwise interfere with any proper and lawful efforts by the Commissioner to produce such information. The Commissioner may summon any licensee or a licensee's agents, employees, or suppliers ·to appear to testify with regard to the conduct of any licensee or the agents, employees, or suppliers of any licensee. All such testimony shall be given under oath and may embrace any matters, which the Commissioner may deem relevant to the discharge of his official duties. Any person so summoned to appear shall have the right to be represented by counsel. Any testimony so taken may be used by the Commissioner as evidence in any proceeding or matter before the Commissioner of the tribal district court or, which may later come before the Commissioner of the tribal district court. Failure to so appear and testify fully at the time and place designated, unless excused, shall constitute grounds for revocation or suspension of any license held by the person summoned, his principal, or employee, or the loss of the privilege to further supply any person licensed under this Code. |
Section 305. |
Licensees shall provide for their facility security, provided, that contracts are reviewed, security plans, or amendments thereto are approved by the Commissioner prior to implementation. |
Section 306. |
Unless prior written approval is obtained from the Commissioner, no person employed in the conduct of public gaming operating under one license shall be employed under any other license authorized to operate under this Code. |
Section 307. |
Age limit for gaming. No person who is under the age of eighteen (18) shall operate nor shall be allowed to participate in any manner in the operation of any game. No person(s) under the age of sixteen (16) shall be allowed on premises where games are being conducted. It shall be the responsibility of the licensee to enforce the provisions of this section. |
Section 308. |
On duty operators shall not play. No operator shall allow a person who manages or receives any compensation, directly or indirectly, for the operation of any games conducted by the operator to play in a game while on duty. No operator shall allow any person who assists in the operation of any game conducted by the operator to play in any game conducted by the operator within twenty-four (24) hours of the time said person did so assist. |
Section 309. |
No free games for winners. No free cards or any opportunity to play in a game shall be awarded or given to a person as prize for or conditioned upon winning a bingo game or games. Provided, that the Commissioner shall have the authority to grant exceptions upon request by the operators. |
Section 310. |
Every prize awarded during the operation authorized shall be awarded only to the person(s) actually winning the prize and displaying the proper admission ticket. |
Section 311. |
Cards or packs shall be sold and paid for only in advance for use in a specified game or specified numbered games. All sales of cards or packs shall take place upon the premises. All cards or packs must be used on the day sold. |
Section 312. |
Promotional activities and remuneration. Certain licensees may be exempt from Section 309 and engage in promotions and activities that include prizes or the award of cards or packs as an incentive to allow certain individuals, who provide a specified service or meet other stated requirements, to participate in games the same as regular participants. Licensees participating in promotional activities must provide the Commissioner full details of all such activities and receive advance approval for each such promotional activity. Written approval for such activities must remain on file with the Commissioner and with the licensee for a period of not less than one (1) year. |
Section 313. |
Each numbered ball or other device used in a game for the selection of numbers to be called in play shall be the same weight and size as each of the other balls or devices used for that purpose of that game. |
Section 314. |
In all cases the operator must have and exercise complete control over that portion of the premises being used for gamin at all times said games are being played. The licensee shall be held liable for any violation of the Code. |
Section 315. |
Games shall be operated and conducted only on the appropriate licensed premises authorized under this Code. |
Section 316. |
No manufacturer, distributor, or operator shall by agreement either express or otherwise with any other manufacturer, distributor, or operator fix the price at which any device, paraphernalia, machine, equipment, prize or any other items used in connection with any of the activities authorized under this Code shall be sold or which services in connection therewith shall be rendered. The price of these items in a competitive market place shall be established by each manufacturer, distributor, or operator for the products and services offered by each and shall not be established, directly or indirectly, in concert with another. |
Section 317. |
Licensees must own, supervise, and be responsible for all activities on their authorized by license under this Code, specifically outlined in management approved by Ordinance. |
Section 318. |
It is the policy of the Commissioner and the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma to require that all establishments, wherein gaming is conducted within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma, be operated in a manner suitable to protect the public health, safety, morals, good order, and general welfare of the inhabitants under within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. Responsibility for the employment and maintenance of suitable methods of operation rests with the licensee and willful and persistent use or toleration of unsuitable methods of operation will constitute grounds for license revocation or other disciplinary actions. |
Section 319. |
Receipt reguired for income and prizes in gaming. All income from games shall be receipted by the licensee at the time the income is received from each individual player, and all prizes shall be receipted for by the winner of each prize at the time the prize is distributed to each individual winner.A. Income receipts form. Income receipt forms shall be supplied by the licensee. They may be tickets or disposable cards numbered consecutively, or they may be based upon a cash register system if an identification number is on the receipt given to the customer, which is one of a series of such numbers printed consecutively, and a corresponding number is recorded together with a record of the transaction being kept inside the cash register. |
Section 320. |
All establishments, wherein bingo operations are to be conducted, must be certified as safe by the Commissioner prior to the issuance of a license. All alterations or modifications must be approved by the Commissioner. |
Section 321. |
Any premises licensed or any premises connected physically or otherwise with a licensed business, including vehicles used in connection therewith, shall at all times be open to inspection by the Commissioner. At any time during which a licensed gaming or related administrative activity is being conducted on a premises, the Commissioner or any authorized representative of the Commissioner may enter upon the premises without advance notice and:A. Make an account of all monies on the premises and all monies received during the operation of the licensed activity located on the premises, inspect all receipts for prizes which have been awarded by the licensee; |
Section 322. |
No beverage containing alcohol, including but not limited to beer or liquor, shall be offered or awarded as a prize or in lieu of a prize for winning at any of the activities authorized by this Code, nor sold on the premises at any time. |
Section 323. |
No firearms, air guns which are capable of discharging dangerous projectiles or gases, including but not limited to "B.B.'s" or C02 guns, rifles shotguns, pistols, or revolvers shall be allowed on the premises, except as permitted by regulation of the Commissioner. |
Section 324. |
No licensee or any of its members or employees, or any operator conducting or in any way participating in the conducting of any of the activities, which are authorized by this Code or by the Commissioner's rules, shall allow a person to play that activity on credit or shall grant a loan of any kind at any time to a person playing the activity. |
Section 325. |
No person involved in the operation of any activity authorized by this Code or a rule of the Commissioner shall, directly or indirectly, in the course of such operation employ any device, scheme, or artifice to defraud; make any untrue statement of a fact, or omit to state a fact necessary in order to make a statement not misleading in consideration of the circumstances under which such statement was made; engage in any act, practice, or course of operation as would operate as a fraud of deceit upon any person. |
Section 326. |
Each licensee shall obtain, maintain, and keep current a copy of the gaming Code and all rules of the Commissioner and any amendments to either, which shall be located upon the premises used for the conduct of a licensed activity by a licensee during all times the activity is there conducted. The rules shall be produced by the licensee and shown to any person upon demand. The fact that the licensee may not have a current copy of each of the rules of the Commissioner shall not in any way diminish the licensee's obligation to abide these rules. |
Section 327. |
No licensee shall conduct any activity authorized under this Code upon any premises, if the lease, license, contract, or any other agreement under which right to use said premises is not first fully disclosed to the Commissioner. |
Section 328. |
No manufacturer or distributor shall make or have an agreement or understanding with any licensee that either of them shall be restricted in the operation and carrying on of business to a specific geographic area or areas, and such a restriction shall not be a condition of any sales between manufacturer, distributor and any other licensee. Provided, that this shall not prevent a distributor or manufacturer from assigning sales territories among its bona fide representatives. |
Section 329. |
All licensees shall be responsible to insure that each manufacturer and each distributor selling or distributing equipment or other things used, directly or indirectly, in said licensee's gaming activities and who is not an Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma resident or resident corporation shall designate a natural person, who is a resident under the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma and who is eighteen (18) years of age or older, as a resident agent for the purpose of receipt and acceptance of service of process and other communications on behalf of the manufacturer or distributor. The name and business address where service of process and delivery of mail can be made, and home address of such designated resident agent shall be filed with the Commissioner. All said manufacturers or distributors must be listed with the Commissioner. |
Section 330. |
Immediately before the calling of each number in a game, the caller shall turn the portion of the ball or other device used to determine which number is called, which shows the number and letter to the participants in the game, so that participants may know that the proper number is being called out. |
Section 331. |
All licensees conducting games with a progressive payout feature will provide the Commissioner, for approval, the system for accumulation and account restrictions of funds so designated. The procedure and any amendments thereto must receive prior written approval of the Commissioner. All employees must be listed with the Commissioner. Such lists are to be kept current. |
Section 401. |
Any Absentee Shawnee Indian person violating the provisions of this Code shall be guilty of any offense and shall upon conviction thereof be punished by the confinement in the tribal jail for a period of not less than ten (10) days nor more than six (6) months and a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) or by both such fine or imprisonment for each separate violation. |
Section 402. |
Any non-Absentee Shawnee Indian person violating the provisions of this Code shall be guilty of an offense and excluded from all areas within the jurisdiction of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. |