Ericka Panther, a member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, was chosen recently as a new compliance officer for the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) for the Washington, D.C. region.
In announcing the appointment, NIGC officials said Panther’s “understanding of Indian gaming and operational processes with focus on surveillance will benefit the region and Indian Country.”
Panther said her new position “will give me the opportunity to support the purpose of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) by promoting tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and building strong tribal governments through gaming.
“Through my position as a compliance officer with the NIGC, I hope to benefit tribes by becoming knowledgeable about the unique issues that impact each tribe. My goal is to be a reliable source of assistance for any challenges that a tribe may encounter and aid in providing effective solutions, to ensure the continued success of each facility, while upholding the integrity of Indian gaming. I look forward to building a good rapport with tribal contacts, as well the members of the NIGC team.”
Panther started in the gaming industry 11 years ago as a host at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee, North Carolina. “I quickly achieved the Level 3 Gaming Host status and realized that I sought to pursue a career within gaming.”
The NIGC was created in 1998 with the passage of IGRA, which was enacted to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian lands. The act provides a statutory basis for the federal regulation of Indian gaming and supports tribal gaming as a means of generating revenue for tribal communities.
