TULSA, OK – The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes (ITC) adopted several resolutions, including measures addressing prediction markets and agricultural issues.
The ITC called on Congress and federal regulators to ensure prediction markets and event contracts comply with existing tribal, federal and state gaming laws and do not undermine tribal sovereignty or tribal-state gaming compacts.
Prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket have grown rapidly in popularity in recent years, becoming prominent advertisers and exploiting regulatory gaps.
“Predictive markets undermine tribal sovereignty and the long-standing tribal gaming compacts and laws that have governed tribal gaming for decades,” said Choctaw Chief Gary Batton. “These markets are rapidly expanding, and regulators and lawmakers must close the legal loopholes that allow them to operate outside established gaming laws and ensure tribes have a seat at the table as these issues are debated and resolved.”
Tribal leaders also honored Chickasaw Nation Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby at the general session for his years of service with the ITC. His steadiness and perseverance were among the qualities tribal leaders celebrated, emphasizing how Governor Emeritus Bill Anoatubby helped establish how sovereignty is practiced today through negotiating compacts and being involved in Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act rulemaking.
The ITC additionally urged the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee to incorporate tribal priorities into the Agricultural Act of 2026, also known as the farm bill. The group is advocating for policies that better reflect the unique needs of tribal nations and Native producers, such as provisions that strengthen food sovereignty, expand access to USDA programs and support tribal self-governance.
The ITC also approved the following resolutions:
- Supported tribal federal contracting and the SBA 8(a) Business Development Program as essential tools for strengthening tribal self-determination, economic development and self-sufficiency.
- Called on Congress to maintain the current formulas used to distribute federal Tribal transportation and transit funding.
- Endorsed the nomination of Mark Cruz to serve as director of the Indian Health Service.
- Issued a proclamation recognizing the National Day of Prayer.
The next meeting of the ITC will be hosted by the Choctaw Nation Oct. 7-9, 2026.
