European Gaming Lawyer magazine Autumn 2017 | Page 16

Th is year Indian Country was presented with two outstanding
candidates that were equally deserving of selection based upon
the Regulator of the Year criteria, particularly in regard to their
contributions in enhancing the professionalism of tribal gaming
regulatory authorities. As such, David Vialpando, Chairman of the
Santa Ysabel Gaming Commission in California, and Terry Hale,
past Interim Chief Gaming Regulator of the Seminole Nation of
Oklahoma, are recognized as Co-Regulators of the Year, Indian
Country for 2017. Both Mr. Vialpando and Mr. Hale exemplify
the very best of tribal gaming regulation today, and each has been
active in promoting best practices for tribal regulators as part
of their participation and leadership in state and national tribal
gaming regulators’ associations.
Kevin Quigley of Foley & Quigley PLC states, “Th e IMGL
is proud to recognize the central role that these tribal gaming
regulators have in regulating the $31 billion Indian gaming
industry to ensure fair play and honest gaming operations
for all patrons.”
Regulator of the Year 2017 –
Indian Country
Terry Hale
Regulator of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
Seminole Nation Gaming Agency Deputy Chief Gaming Regulator/Compliance Manager.
Terry Hale has worked for the Seminole
Nation Gaming Agency since November
2007. Terry started in the Surveillance
department as a Surveillance Operator
where he worked for more than three (3)
years and he learned the National Indian
Gaming Commission’s (NIGC) Minimum
Internal Control Standards (MICS), the
Tribal Internal Control Standards (TICS),
and the Gaming Operations, System of
Internal Control Standards (SICS).
In 2011, Mr. Hale took his knowledge
of learning all the regulations while in
Surveillance and used them to further
his experience in Compliance. While in
Compliance, he learned every aspect of
gaming machine soft ware testing, gaming
machine par sheets, understanding the
diff erence between Class II and Class III
gaming machines. He was a big part of the
opening of the Seminole Nation Casino
expansion in October 2012.
Terry Hale was appointed the Deputy
Chief Gaming Regulator in December
2015, and when the Chief Gaming
Regulator was excused from his position
in April 2016, Terry was named the
16 | European Gaming Lawyer | Autumn Issue | 2017
Interim Chief Regulator during a time
period that the Nation faced more than
27 alleged violations, potential fi nes
and closure. It was a dark time. Th e
28 member Seminole Nation General
Council terminated the Commissioners
and the Gaming Enterprises leadership
and worked hard to address lingering
problems. Mr. Hale worked tirelessly
to address the areas of concern, rebut
areas where the National Indian Gaming
Commission had it wrong and bring
the Nation’s three casinos into full
compliance. Th e casinos stayed open
and the Nation paid no fi nes. Th e NIGC
lift ed the NOV in December 2016. Terry
Hale helped disprove many purported
violations with exemplary eff orts under
very diffi cult circumstances.
Of this time in his career, Terry
Hale states, “Aft er I was the Interim
Chief Regulator for only a month, the
Seminole Nation was issued a Notice
of Violation from the National Indian
Gaming Commission. I believe the
Settlement Agreement with the NIGC and
accomplishing that our Gaming Facilities
stayed open with the help from the Gaming
Agency and Gaming Enterprise staff are the
greatest achievement I have done.”
In the spring of 2017 the
Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Regulators
Association awarded Mr. Hale a special
commendation recognizing his experience
and expertise. Terry continues to strive
to learn and share his knowledge with
all his peers to help the Seminole Nation
Gaming Agency to always honor the past,
protect the future and lead the nation to a
better tomorrow.
When asked what advice he wishes
to share with gaming attorneys, industry
executives, educators and other regulators,
Terry Hale comments, “ To always
remember to keep your head up when
times are rough. If you do not have the
answer to a question, reach out to your
peers; they may have the answer ready
for you.” He further shares a fi nal word
to his gaming organization, “Always
remember we all work for the same goal,
to better our Tribe and the Tribal People.
I am a proud member of the Seminole
Nation of Oklahoma.”