Chickasaw citizen D. Scott Colbert received the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) 2023 Career Effort and Dedication Award, Aug. 18 during the OIGA Annual Conference and Trade Show in Tulsa.
OIGA Chairperson Matthew Morgan presented Mr. Colbert the award for years of dedication to the success of Indian gaming in Oklahoma.
Mr. Colbert serves as commissioner of the Chickasaw Nation Office of the Gaming Commission (CNOGC), an independent regulatory commission which oversees all gaming within the Chickasaw Nation.
He was appointed by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby to lead the commission in 2012, following nearly 40 years of service and progress to the Chickasaw Nation in wide-ranging roles, including the tribal legislature and judicial system.
Established Jan. 24, 1994, through the Chickasaw Nation Public Gaming Act, the gaming commission maintains regulatory authority over the largest gaming facility in the world, as well as 24 additional licensed gaming facilities. Its 65 staff members in four field offices are also responsible for overseeing about 10,000 licensees and 25,000 games.
Within the gaming commission’s regulatory jurisdiction, a licensed gaming facility operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week in several locations throughout Chickasaw Nation treaty territory. The gaming commission has fully staffed divisions of licensing compliance, regulatory and audit compliance, technology compliance, and an administrative hearing program.
About the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) is a nonprofit organization of First American nations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from across Oklahoma. OIGA’s mission is to promote Oklahoma Indian tribes through development of sound policies and practices in the conduct of gaming in Indian Country.
During its annual conference and trade show in Oklahoma City or Tulsa, the OIGA board receives nominations for select awards, whereafter its officers and/or members consider and select deserving persons.