The Crucial Role of Compliance in Tribal Operations 

As tribal governments and their gaming operations continue to grow in complexity, the crucial role of compliance helps tribal leaders and casino operators not only deliver operational and marketing excellence but assure casino operations are aligned with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as tribal values. Erin Copeland, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, has spent over three decades at the forefront of tribal government regulation and compliance. Her career highlights not only the challenges but also the rich opportunities in this unique legal field. Copeland’s journey provides a roadmap for those interested in tribal compliance, a field that now spans legal, cultural, and ethical dimensions within tribal governments.

The Early Days: Setting a Foundation for Tribal Gaming Compliance

When Copeland first entered the world of tribal gaming in the 1990s, she recalls the challenges posed during those early years, including the late-night meetings with tribal citizens that often stretched until midnight.  With the passage of IGRA tribes became the most heavily regulated entities in gaming. “In the early days of Indian gaming lawyers worked alongside tribal leaders and tribal citizens to support the build out of gaming operations and regulatory frameworks. In many ways we were working from scratch without a playbook.” San Manuel’s history and values impacted its decisions over the years in committing the highest levels of resources to legal and compliance. The Tribe’s investment in the San Manuel Tribal Gaming Commission, which was created in the 1990’s, was one of the earliest examples of its commitment to compliance. The tribal gaming agency was led for many years by two separate women tribal leaders, becoming one of the most well-known and respected gaming commissions in the country. Today it remains an award-winning regulatory agency with over one hundred employees. 

Hands-On Legal Work and Creative Problem Solving

One of the hallmarks of Copeland’s early career with San Manuel was her involvement in direct, hands-on legal work that went beyond just drafting memos and engaging in document review. Unlike in many corporate legal settings, tribal government legal work and compliance allowed her to work side-by-side with tribal citizens, gaining deep insights into their priorities and helping them navigate unique legal challenges. Her work involved frequent analysis to determine how state, federal, or tribal laws might apply in specific situations — a legal balancing act that required both flexibility and deep knowledge of tribal governance.

“The legal work I have been able to do at San Manuel has allowed me to be highly engaged with my client — affording me the opportunity to work directly with the client and collaborate on creative ways to assist them in meeting their legal objectives,” Copeland explained. “When San Manuel offered me the role as their first General Counsel, it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, even though it meant leaving my position as a partner at a major law firm to start up their in-house legal department.  Working for a tribal government often provides an attorney the ability to work side by side with your client on an incredibly broad array of cutting-edge topics” Copeland said.  While Copeland was the sole lawyer in the department for several years, as San Manuel’s gaming operation flourished and its government and business opportunities expanded, the legal department grew to meet the demand.  San Manuel’s legal department is now one of the largest in-house legal departments in Indian country, with 15 highly specialized attorneys and a legal operations team serving the government and its varied enterprises.  

The Melding of Compliance Roles in Modern Tribal Gaming

Over the years, as government and gaming operations have grown more complex with advancements in technology, the role of compliance has expanded far beyond adherence to gaming regulatory requirements. Copeland notes there is now a melding of different areas of compliance coming together and collaborating to address a wide array of compliance and regulatory challenges.  San Manuel has steadily grown its distinct compliance functions in ways that reinforce the Tribe’s values and standards. And, as compliance demands increase, so does the opportunity for roles in areas such as anti-money laundering, ethical governance, information security, and more. “San Manuel has entrusted me to take on more responsibilities as the compliance and regulatory landscape has grown more challenging – in addition to working alongside attorneys on legal issues, in recent years I have had the opportunity to expand my expertise to encompass leading Risk, Information Security, and Legal Compliance teams, which underscores how complex today’s tribal government operations have grown” Copeland stated.   

For those interested in building a career in tribal compliance, Copeland’s experience highlights the importance of specialization. With the industry’s growing complexity, professionals can gain an edge by developing expertise in specific areas of compliance — whether it’s privacy law, data security, or regulatory policy. Her advice to new professionals is to embrace this specialization and commit to ongoing learning. 

“Focus on an area that will make an impact on the work you’re doing, find time, and commit to becoming an expert,” Copeland advises, emphasizing the confidence and mastery that come from dedication.

Advice for Aspiring Compliance and Legal Professionals

For those considering a career in tribal government legal work and compliance, Copeland’s journey offers valuable insights. First, she encourages young professionals to focus not only on legal knowledge but also on collaboration, creativity, and an understanding of the wider industry landscape. Reflecting on her early days, Copeland wishes she had prioritized networking and learning from peers outside her immediate field, as these connections could open new doors and accelerate career growth.

Moreover, she stresses the importance of public speaking and confidence-building, especially for those in compliance roles where communicating complex regulations and ethical expectations is essential. “Public speaking is important — find ways to engage in it and practice that skill” she advises. As the industry grows, professionals who can combine specialized legal expertise with effective communication and teamwork will be well-positioned to thrive in this challenging and rewarding field.

San Manuel’s Core Values and Cultural Identity

For Copeland, working in tribal gaming is more than just a legal role; it’s a deeply fulfilling career shaped by the values and culture of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. 

“What keeps me passionate about my job today is that while San Manuel's growth has been exponential, their focus on their culture and values continues to drive their priorities today,” she shared. This consistency in values, coupled with a sense of community, is a hallmark of the Tribe's approach to gaming and business, ensuring that all operations reflect a commitment to ethical practices.

The Tribe’s approach to compliance stands out from traditional corporate models due to its strong emphasis on culture and values. The Tribe prioritizes ethical decision-making, philanthropy, and community engagement — values that permeate the work and interactions of every team member. Through the leadership of the Tribe overall, as supported by executives like Copeland, teams are trained not only in regulatory knowledge but are also encouraged to embrace San Manuel’s values in all that they do, a key factor driving San Manuel’s repeated recognition as a top responsible gaming enterprise.