TEMECULA, CA – More than 600 tribal leaders, regulators, industry professionals and policy experts, gathered at the 29th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference (WIGC) at Pechanga Resort Casino this week for a series of speeches, workshops and networking events. The WIGC is one of the most informative conferences in Indian Country and features the annual State of the Tribal Nations Address during the General Session, which begins the conference.
This year, the State of the Tribal Nations Address was delivered by CNIGA Chairman James Siva. He highlighted the positive impact of the tribal government gaming industry in California. Citing recent data, Chairman Siva pointed out that expenditures from tribal gaming operations in California generated approximately $17.2 billion in economic output, and $5.3 billion in earnings for California workers.
In the address, Chairman Siva touched on several issues, including CNIGA’s recent record of legislative success, new California Department of Justice rules regarding commercial cardrooms and tribal charitable giving. He also highlighted multiple tribal conservation efforts throughout the state.
However, he warned tribes of a looming threat to the tribal government gaming industry, the misuse of predictions markets in the form of illegal sports events contracts.
“It would not be an exaggeration to characterize what we face as the largest existential crisis our industry has ever faced,” said Chairman Siva. “It cannot be overstated how vast an abuse this is of the scope of what futures markets can offer. Multiple federal laws seem to clearly prohibit this type of activity.”
Chairman Siva called for tribal unity in the face of such a threat, and that any effort to legalize sports wagering be tribally led and safe for California consumers.
