Gaming Commission Executive Director

The Native Village of Eklutna Gaming Commission is seeking a dynamic and experienced Contract Executive Director to lead the development and growth of the Chin’an Gaming Hall, the first Tribally owned gaming establishment in the Anchorage, Alaska area. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the Tribe and surrounding communities by fostering a strong Tribal economy and supporting essential community initiatives. Chin’an Gaming Hall seeks to be the gold standard for Indian Gaming in Alaska.

About the Role:
The Chin’an Gaming Hall is a key component of the Tribe’s economic development plan. Revenue generated will support housing initiatives, employment opportunities, job training, scholarships, cultural enhancement programs, and healthcare services for Tribal members and the local community. The temporary gaming hall in Birchwood, Alaska, which opened in January 2025, marks the beginning of this exciting journey. The Tribe plans to construct a permanent casino, featuring two restaurants and up to 700 gaming machines.

Position Overview:

The Executive Director will serve as the senior regulatory official responsible for building and managing the oversight, compliance, and enforcement of all gaming activities for the Chin’an Gaming Hall. The ideal candidate will have prior experience in building new gaming establishments, with a strong understanding of federal, tribal, and state gaming regulations.

As the senior regulatory official, the Executive Director will ensure compliance with all applicable tribal, federal, and state laws—including the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and Native Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) regulations—while safeguarding the integrity of gaming operations. This role demands deep expertise in casino operations, Class II gaming regulation, internal controls, surveillance, licensing, and investigative procedures.

The Executive Director reports to the Tribal Gaming Commission and operates with full autonomy in enforcing gaming regulations, investigating compliance matters, and ensuring the integrity and security of gaming operations.

This is a contract position with the potential to transition full time. The Contract Executive Director can work remotely anywhere within the United States and will be required to travel to Anchorage, AK, quarterly. If the position becomes full time, relocation to Anchorage, AK will be required with relocation expenses provided.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Law, Finance, or a related field, with five (5) years of experience in tribal gaming regulation, compliance, casino operations, or gaming enforcement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or Juris Doctor (JD).
• 10 years of directly related experience.
• Experience leading the establishment of a gaming regulatory body for a newly developed casino.
• Prior work experience in a tribal government setting with direct interaction with elected tribal leadership.
• In-depth knowledge of IGRA, NIGC regulations, MICS/TICS, and casino licensing, surveillance, and audit procedures.
• Expertise in Title 31, AML compliance, slot machine and table game standards, and player dispute resolution.
• Proven experience conducting regulatory investigations, financial audits, and compliance reviews in a gaming environment
• Skilled in risk assessment, policy development, staff training, and balancing regulatory enforcement with operations.
• Experience in Class II gaming regulation.
• Familiarity with casino management systems (CMS) and regulatory technology solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Casino Start-Up and Commission Development

• Establish a Tribal Gaming Commission, including policies, staffing, budgeting, and regulatory frameworks.
• Collaborate with tribal leaders, the casino team, and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance during construction, licensing, and launch.
• Develop licensing procedures, fee structures, and revenue reporting aligned with Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and tribal regulations.

Regulatory Compliance and Oversight

• Establish and enforce gaming regulatory policies, procedures, and internal controls in compliance with IGRA, Native Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) regulations, and the Eklutna Tribal Gaming Ordinance.
• Conduct and oversee audits, internal control assessments, and risk evaluations to detect and prevent fraud, money laundering, and other financial crimes within gaming operations.
• Ensure compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations, and Title 31 reporting requirements.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Tribal Gaming Commission and federal regulatory agencies, including the NIGC and FBI.

Investigations and Enforcement

1. Lead investigations of regulatory violations, fraud, and misconduct.
2. Enforce penalties, suspensions, and license revocations, ensuring due process and adherence to tribal laws.
3. Coordinate with law enforcement agencies on gaming-related criminal investigations and compliance matters.

Establishment of the Surveillance Department

1. Develop protocols for investigating gaming violations, player disputes, and internal misconduct using surveillance evidence in compliance with the Tribal Gaming Ordinance, the IGRA, and NIGC regulations.
2. Work closely with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to provide evidence and reports.

Operational and Financial Management

1. Develop and manage the budget for the Tribal Gaming Commission, ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining regulatory independence.
2. Oversee the collection and reporting of gaming revenues, regulatory fees, and assessments in compliance with tribal and federal reporting requirements.
3. Represent the Tribe in gaming industry conferences, regulatory forums, and intergovernmental discussions related to tribal gaming oversight.

Monthly stipend of $10,000 plus travel expenses