Licensing Guidelines

  • Congratulations on your offer of employment with the SMSC Gaming Enterprise! In order for any person to work at the gaming facility (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel or Little Six Casino), they must possess and maintain a valid Gaming License. The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Commission is responsible for ensuring that everyone who is issued a Gaming License has completed a License application and successfully passed a background check. The online application pertains to your application for a Gaming License as required under the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Gaming Regulations. The information you provide in the license application will be used to conduct the background investigation and assist in determining your eligibility for a gaming license. You must fill out this application completely and accurately. Incomplete applications will be not be accepted. If a question does not apply to you, enter “not applicable” (N/A). It is to your advantage to respond openly and honestly. Any negative factor in your background does not mean you will be denied. However, failure to disclose or being dishonest are grounds for not proceeding in the process. If you have any questions about the gaming license application, please call the Gaming Commission at (952) 496-5640. A Licensing Representative will assist you. Please do not contact the Human Resource Department about any information requested by this document; the Gaming Commission is a separate entity and we do not share or exchange information about an applicant. Once your application has been submitted and accepted, you will be contacted to make an appointment for fingerprinting. At this appointment, you must have a valid photo ID and paperwork for any criminal offense that occurred within the last 10 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

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What does SMSC stand for?

SMSC is an abbreviation for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

What is the SMSC Gaming Commission? What do they do?
The SMSC Gaming Commission is the tribal government entity that is responsible for regulatory oversight of gaming operations. The Gaming Commission has many functions and duties to uphold the Tribe’s Ordinance, Regulations and State and Federal Laws. Among them is conducting background investigations and licensing of all employees and vendors of a gaming enterprise. The National Indian Gaming Commission was created in 1988 with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), which was enacted to support and promote tribal economic development, self-sufficiency, and strong tribal governments through the operation of gaming on Indian lands. The Act provides a statutory basis for the federal regulation of Indian gaming. IGRA establishes the Commission to regulate and support tribal gaming as a means of generating revenue for tribal communities. See 25 U.S.C. § 2704.”

What is the Gaming Commission’s phone number and the Licensing hours of operation?
(952) 496-5640; Monday through Friday 9 am – 5 pm. License renewal appointments are accepted from 9 am – 4:20 pm. New hire license appointments are accepted from 9 am – 4 pm. The Gaming Commission is closed evenings, weekends and major holidays.

Why do I need to provide so much information?
In order to work at the SMSC Gaming Enterprise (Mystic Lake Casino Hotel/Little Six Casino), you must also apply with the Gaming Commission and be found suitable for a gaming license. The SMSC Gaming Commission has to follow specific gaming regulations regarding the licensure of employees. These include the Tribe’s gaming regulations, gaming ordinance, and the Tribal-State Compact.

I already filled out an application with HR. Why do I have to fill out another application?
As stated above, everyone who is hired by the SMSC Gaming Enterprise must also be licensed by the SMSC Gaming Commission. The Gaming Commission and the SMSC Employment department are two separate entities. The Gaming Commission does not and cannot share any information or documentation obtained from applicants with any SMSC Gaming Enterprise department.

I do not have a computer and/or internet access. How do I complete my online licensing application?
The SMSC Gaming Enterprise Employment department have computers available to complete licensing applications online. You may also use computers at any public library or Minnesota Workforce Center. The licensing application is housed on a secure website; you can use a public computer and your information will be safe.

Is my personal information confidential?
All information provided to or obtained by the SMSC Gaming Commission remains secured within the Gaming Commission in your licensing file and is not shared with anyone at the SMSC Gaming Enterprise.

What types of identification will the SMSC Gaming Commission accept?
Any identification presented must have a photo and be unexpired; expired documents will not be accepted. Minnesota State ID or driver’s license receipts are acceptable only if they are within 60 days of issuance.
• State issued ID or Driver’s License
• U.S. Passport or US Passport Card
• Tribal ID with photo
• Employment Authorization Card
• Permanent Resident Card
• Foreign Passport with valid I-94 or I-551 stamp
• Driver’s License (DL) issued by a Canadian government authority
• Active Student School ID with photo
• Current report card (applicants under age 18 only)
• Birth Certificate (applicants under age 18 only)

Why can I not use a military ID?
The SMSC Gaming Commission photocopies all ID’s that are presented. It is unlawful to photocopy a military ID. (Title 18, U.S. Code, Part 1, Chapter 33, Section 701).

Why can I not use a former gaming license or employment badge from another casino/company?
The SMSC Gaming Commission must establish positive identification of an applicant from a government issued identification to notarize the Gaming License application.

Why does the Gaming Commission need to know about my maiden name or any other names I have legally been known by?
The SMSC Gaming Commission will be conducting a background investigation for your gaming license. During this investigation, your criminal history, references, employment, former gaming licenses and education will be verified. The Investigator must be able to reference the name you used for each verification. (Example: the high school you graduated from will only have you listed in their records by the name you used when you were there – i.e. a maiden name)

I changed my name (marriage, divorce, court petition, naturalization), do I need to notify the Gaming Commission?
Yes. Please provide the Gaming Commission with documentation showing your name change. A photocopy of the documentation will be taken for your file and our records updated.

I was arrested, do I need to notify the Gaming Commission?
Yes. Any new arrests, tickets, warrants or charges must be immediately disclosed to the Gaming Commission.

What if the case has not been resolved in court?
The Gaming Commission must be notified of any new or ongoing criminal court cases (excluding civil) even if you have not been convicted. Failure to do so may result in further action taken against your gaming license up to and including suspension, denial or revocation.

Why do I need to provide paperwork on criminal court cases?
The SMSC Gaming Commission must have court paperwork showing the date of the offense, charge(s) and the outcome (disposition) of the court for any offense that occurred within the last 10 years, regardless of the outcome.

 I lost my badge. How can I obtain a new one?
Lost Gaming Licenses will require a $20 non-refundable cash replacement fee. The license holder must come to the Gaming Commission, in person, to replace their gaming license. A replacement will not be issued to anyone other than the licensee.

Explain the dates printed on the front and back of the gaming license.
The date on the front of your gaming license is your expiration date in month/year format. The date on the back of your gaming license is the renew by date in month/year format. If you have 05/19 on the front and 03/19 on the back, it means that your gaming license will expire in May 2019 and must be renewed by the end of the month of March 2019. Per the Regulations, all gaming licenses are renewed 60 days prior to expiration.

Why do I have to renew my gaming license?
The Ordinance and the Regulations mandate that each Licensee must renew their gaming license on an annual basis.

What will happen if I do not renew by gaming license by the deadline date?
Failure to renew your License will result in non-compliance with the Gaming Commission and the SMSC Gaming Enterprise will terminate your employment. You will be unable to re-apply for a License for 6 months following your termination date.


Where I do fill out a license application?

You can fill out a license application by following the link provided to you in the email that you received from us.  After you've registered with Kodee, you can also follow the link below to login.

Kodee Online License Application

Gaming Commission approval:

  • All actions regarding a License or License Application, whether to grant, deny, limit, condition or revoke a License, are within the absolute discretion of the Gaming Commission.
  • In addition to this the Gaming Commission may grant a License with special conditions based upon information discovered during the background investigation.