National Indian Gaming Commission
Shawn Pensoneau currently holds the position of Intergovernmental and Legislative Affairs at the National Indian Gaming Commission, focusing on external public communications and legislative interactions since November 2022. Prior experience includes serving as a Project Management Executive at Strongbow Strategies, LLC, where advisory and project coordination support was provided to offices under the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs. As the owner of Four Corners Government Affairs, Shawn established a private practice, and previously worked as Assistant Administrator for the Office of Native American Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration, developing entrepreneurial support for Native American communities. Further experience includes roles in public affairs at the U.S. Department of the Interior, director of Governmental Affairs at the National American Indian Housing Council, and director of Congressional and Public Affairs at the National Indian Gaming Commission. Shawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Government from Fort Lewis College.
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National Indian Gaming Commission
The National Indian Gaming Commission is an independent federal regulatory agency within the Department of the Interior and is committed to the prompt and efficient regulation of the Indian gaming industry, which spans more than 420 gaming establishments, associated with nearly 240 tribes across 28 states. Congress established the agency through the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act in 1988. The Commission’s primary mission is to regulate gaming activities on Indian lands; to ensure that Indian tribes are the primary beneficiaries of gaming revenue; and to assure that gaming is conducted fairly and honestly by both operators and players. To achieve these goals, the Commission provides technical assistance and training to tribes and tribal regulators; conduct audits and background investigations; review and approve Tribal gaming ordinances and when necessary undertakes enforcement actions, including the issuance of violation, assessment of civil fines, and/or issuance of closure orders. The Commission’s dedication to compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act ensures the integrity of the $28.5 billion Indian gaming industry. For more information, visit www.nigc.gov.