Compacts
In order to develop Class III gaming operations, each tribe in Minnesota needed to reach compacts with the state government. The result was 22 compacts – one for video games of chance and one for blackjack for each of the 11 tribes – signed from 1989-1991.
Main features of Minnesota’s gaming compacts
Tribal gaming is limited to slots, blackjack, bingo and other Class II games.
The compacts are perpetual; they cannot be renegotiated unless both sides agree to do so.
The compacts establish regulatory standards and powers; licensing requirements; technical specifications for all games; financial reporting requirements; negotiating procedures; and remedies for violations.
The compacts require each tribe to pay an annual fee to the state for compact enforcement costs.
The compacts do not provide for payments to the state from tribal gaming profits, since such payments are illegal under federal law.
