Vendor Certification

Section VII. of the State/Tribal Gaming Compacts between the State of Wisconsin and the eleven federally-recognized Wisconsin Tribes requires all persons who enter into or maintain a gaming-related contract with a Tribe involving total consideration exceeding various limits ($10,000 - $50,000) in any year to apply for a gaming-related contractor certificate from the Division of Gaming.  Section VII. further authorizes the Division of Gaming to process and approve or deny applications for certification pursuant to specific criteria outlined in the Compacts.  The Compacts also contain provisions authorizing the Division of Gaming to grant temporary certification to vendors meeting specific criteria.

The Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance's (OIGRC's) Vendor Certification section is responsible for the investigation and certification of vendor applicants. Pursuant to the Compacts, background investigations are conducted on vendors as well as on their principals and key employees.  These background investigations include both criminal and financial investigations.

A list of the currently certified vendors is available here.

Gaming-Related Determinations

Certification Criteria

In order to determine whether a vendor requires certification under Section VII., a vendor must submit a request for gaming-related determination to the Office of Indian Gaming and Regulatory Compliance (OIGRC).

Requests must be submitted electronically in writing and must include all of the following information:

• A complete description of the specific products and/or services being provided to Wisconsin Tribal gaming facilities.
• Information regarding the products, including an indication as to whether the vendor also currently provides the identical product to non-gaming entities.
• Installation and maintenance information (if applicable), including whether representatives of the company will be on site at Wisconsin Tribal gaming facilities to install and/or provide ongoing maintenance to the products.
• Contract information, including the consideration amount the vendor anticipates receiving from any Wisconsin Tribe(s) during the next 12 months, the expected contract date(s) and the planned installation/delivery or service dates.

Email your request to:

John Dillett, OIGRC Director, at: John.Dillett@Wisconsin.gov.

Fee and Certificate Information

Application Fees

The application fee for a gaming-related contractor certificate is $4,000.  No processing of an application will begin until the application fee has been received.  The Division of Gaming monitors staff time expended and investigative expenses accrued during the certification process.  All staff time is billed at the rate of $50/hour.  On a quarterly basis, the Division of Gaming will invoice the vendor for fees exceeding the initial application fee.  Fees are subject to change without notice and are non-refundable upon receipt.

Certificate Types

Temporary Certificate -

A vendor may initially apply for a Temporary Certificate, which allows a vendor to enter into a gaming-related contract with a specific Wisconsin Tribe prior to that vendor receiving an original certificate.  Temporary certificates are subject to the following requirements:

• A Wisconsin Tribe must request temporary certification of the vendor.
• The vendor must already hold certification in good standing from another, accepted licensing jurisdiction(s) for the same product/service for which it is applying in Wisconsin.
• The vendor must submit a fully completed application and pay the application fee.
• The OIGRC must have completed preliminary background investigation searches with negative results.

Within 60 days of receipt of a complete application, the Division of Gaming will make a preliminary determination regarding the suitability of a vendor.  Temporary certificates are tribe-specific (the vendor is authorized to conduct business only with the requesting tribe) and are voided upon the issuance of the original certificate.

Original Certificate -

An original certificate allows a vendor to enter into a gaming-related contract with any Wisconsin Tribe.  An original certificate is subject to the following requirements:

• A Wisconsin Tribe must support certification of the vendor.
• The vendor must submit a fully completed application and pay the application fee.
• The OIGRC must have completed all background investigation searches and financial reviews with negative results. 

An original certificate is valid until its stated expiration date unless it is suspended or revoked by the Division of Gaming pursuant to Section VII.  An original certificate is valid for a period of two (2) years and must be renewed prior to expiration.  The same application process and fees apply for a renewal application.

To obtain further information regarding the application process or to request application materials, contact:  Carla Klein, Contract Specialist, at Carla.Klein@Wisconsin.gov or (608) 270-2529.