NIGC lowers tier 2 fee rate to 0.065% and fingerprint fee to $40

The National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has adopted a lower annual tier 2 fee rate of 0.065% and reduced its fingerprint processing fee to $40 per card, according to a notice published on 3 November 2026. Both rates took effect on 1 November and remain in place until the NIGC adopts new rates.

The tier 2 rate is down from 0.08%, while tier 1 remains 0.00%. The fingerprint fee is $4 lower than the previous $44 charge. The NIGC says the new tier 2 rate is its lowest since fiscal year 2022.

For gaming operations, the change affects the calculation, reporting and payment of fees on all assessable gross revenues generated by operations under NIGC jurisdiction. The system is self-administered under 25 CFR part 514, meaning each operation must apply the correct rate, calculate the amount due, report its revenues and remit payment.

Rates and affected revenues

The notice sets the following rates:

- Tier 1: 0.00% of assessable gross revenues.
- Tier 2: 0.065%, or 0.00065.
- Class II revenues for tribes with a certificate of self-regulation: 0.0325%, or 0.000325, which is half the annual fee rate.
- Fingerprint processing: $40 per card.

The tier 2 rate applies to assessable gross revenues from each gaming operation within the NIGC's jurisdiction. The NIGC says it must maintain the fee rate to fund its statutory and regulatory responsibilities and preserve an adequate transition carryover balance to cover cash-flow variations. It adopted the notice under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act framework, which established the Commission to regulate gaming on Indian lands.

Fingerprint processing and payment controls

The NIGC attributes the fingerprint-fee reduction to operational standardisation and agency IT modernisation. Those changes reduced staff time, travel expenditure, and the maintenance and support costs allocated to fingerprint processing.

The Commission continues to use FBI criminal history report information to help participating tribes assess the eligibility of key employees and primary management officials for gaming licences. The $40 fee is based on the FBI's charges and the NIGC's own processing costs, including personnel, supplies, equipment, infrastructure and postage.

The notice also confirms that all payments to the NIGC must be submitted and processed electronically through Pay.gov to comply with Executive Order 14247, which took effect on 25 March 2025. Tribes can visit the NIGC website for details on how to sign in, the information required for submission, and how to change or correct submissions.

The adopted rates have no stated end date. They will continue until the NIGC adopts new annual fee or fingerprint rates.