by David Z. Bean
It has only been a short time since we gathered to lay our former Chairman and our dear friend, Ernie Stevens, Jr., to rest. The outpouring of support and compassion from across Indian Country was profoundly moving. Chairman Stevens’ wife, Cheryl, and his family have been surrounded by love, and our Indian Gaming Association (IGA) team has been uplifted by the prayers, stories, and memories shared by tribal leaders nationwide.
In moments like these, I am reminded of something Chairman Stevens often said: “There is more work to do, let’s get up tomorrow and get at it.” That simple call to action captured his spirit. He was tireless in his advocacy for tribal sovereignty, relentless in defending the rights of Indian nations, and deeply committed to ensuring that gaming remained not just an industry, but a tool of nation-building.
As the new Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, I carry Chairman Stevens’ words with me every day. He established a standard of leadership rooted in humility, compassion, and service to our people. He believed that our work was sacred – that it wasn’t about politics or profit, but about protecting our sovereignty, strengthening our communities, and ensuring opportunity for future generations.
A Legacy of Leadership and Growth
When Chairman Stevens assumed the IGA chairmanship in 2000, tribal gaming generated roughly $11 billion annually. Under his steadfast leadership and the collective direction of tribal nations, that figure grew to over $49 billion by 2024. But he was always clear: the real success wasn’t measured in dollars and cents. It was measured in the new schools built on reservations, in the health clinics opened for our elders, in the jobs created for our young people, and in the prosperity that empowered tribes to invest in their futures.
He saw gaming as a vehicle of self-determination. He often reminded us that “Indian gaming isn’t about casinos, it’s about communities.” He also frequently referred to our Indian gaming industry as tribal government gaming because it was about building our tribal communities. He helped shape an era in which tribes used gaming revenues to rebuild their governments, expand education, and reclaim economic sovereignty that had been denied too often.
He also built bridges across party lines, across governments, and across industries. From the halls of Congress to the gaming floors of tribal enterprises, Chairman Stevens represented us all with dignity and strength. He understood that the success of IGA came not from one person or one office, but from the collective will of tribal leadership, from every chairperson, council member, and tribal citizen who believed in our shared vision.
Carrying the Torch Forward
Now, as I take up the mantle of Chairman, I do so with deep respect for Chairman Stevens’ legacy and the sacred trust placed in me by the IGA membership. I also know that our work is far from done.
The Indian Gaming Association has always been more than a trade group – it is a movement. It is the united voice of sovereign nations that has transformed adversity into opportunity. Our mission remains clear: to protect tribal sovereignty, defend the rights of Indian governments to regulate and benefit from gaming within their lands, and to ensure that the promise of self-determination continues to grow.
The IGA bylaws are clear that in moments of transition, the work must continue. As stated, the Vice Chairman automatically assumes the Chairmanship for the unexpired term. It is my honor to do so – not as a replacement for Chairman Stevens, but as a continuation of his purpose.
As a former tribal chairman myself, and as someone who worked closely with Chairman Stevens over many years, I understand that the strength of IGA lies in its foundation: our member tribes. Every success IGA has achieved – every bill advanced, every regulation defended, every victory in the courts – has been rooted in the leadership and wisdom of tribal governments.
Our Board, our staff, and I are dedicated to maintaining that spirit of collaboration. I’ve committed to visiting as many of our member tribes as possible in the coming months, to listen, learn, and ensure that your voices continue to guide our national agenda.
Defending Tribal Sovereignty in Changing Times
Today, our unity and vigilance are more important than ever. We are facing significant challenges – some familiar, others newly emerging. Among the most pressing is the threat posed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and its allowance of so-called “sports prediction markets.”
This issue was one of Chairman Stevens’ final priorities, and it remains mine. Allowing Wall Street and technology firms to turn sports betting into a tradable futures product threatens not only the integrity of gaming, but the sovereignty of tribal governments. It directly undermines the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), our tribal-state compacts, and decades of legal precedent affirming tribal authority over gaming operations.
Together, we have made progress. Over fifty state attorneys general have issued cease-and-desist orders to companies operating illegal sweepstakes and prediction markets. IGA has collaborated with the American Gaming Association, NCAI, USET, and other national partners to build a unified voice through the Coalition for Tribal Sovereignty (CTS). That coalition now includes twenty-six national and regional organizations; all committed to protecting our right to self-governance.
But we must keep fighting. The courts are slow, and the interests behind these schemes – Kalshi, Polymarket, Crypto.com, and others – are well-funded. Defending our sovereignty needs persistence, education, and solidarity.
Protecting Our Communities Amid Federal Uncertainty
Beyond gaming, Indian Country faces deep uncertainty in federal policy and funding. The government shutdown and the cuts proposed by the so-called “DOGE” agency threaten critical healthcare, housing, and infrastructure programs.
The federal government’s trust responsibility to tribes is not optional – it is a legal and moral obligation. Yet every time budgets are cut or agencies are reorganized without consultation, that trust is eroded.
As IGA Chair, I have already started prioritizing urgent outreach to members of Congress, agency officials, and tribal organizations to demand immediate protection for vital services like Medicaid and the Indian Health Service. These programs are crucial for our communities’ survival, and any threat to them could severely damage our healthcare systems. For many tribes, Medicaid funding accounts for 30 to 60 percent of their annual health budgets. We cannot afford to break these commitments; safeguarding these services must be our top priority now. Our message to Congress is clear: honoring treaty obligations is not a partisan issue; it is a matter of justice.
Chairman Stevens believed that the greatest strength of Indian Country was our unity. He often said, “We may be from different Nations, but our hearts beat as one.” He proved that through decades of partnership building, through his mentorship of young Native leaders, and through his dedication to the idea that progress comes when we walk together.
That belief guides me now. My leadership approach is simple: stay in motion, stay grounded, and stay connected. We will continue working with sister tribal organizations, strengthening communications with our members, and expanding the tools we use to share information quickly and effectively. Our staff is developing updated systems to ensure every member tribe stays informed and engaged in IGA’s work in Washington, D.C., and across the nation.
We will also continue our commitment to the next generation – our Native youth – who inspired Chairman Stevens every day. They are watching us now, learning from how we lead and how we carry ourselves through transition. Our responsibility is to show them that leadership is not about titles – it’s about service.
A Call to Action
As we move forward, I ask every tribal leader, every gaming commissioner, every operator, and every citizen to stay involved. Attend our regional meetings. Share your priorities. Hold us accountable. IGA belongs to you. Our path forward won’t be easy. The challenges we face – from unregulated online markets to federal funding cuts – demand determination and unity. But if there’s one lesson Chairman Stevens left us, it’s that no challenge is too big when Indian Country stands together. He taught us that sovereignty is not a gift, it’s a right earned through perseverance, courage, and unity.
Honoring the Journey Ahead
As we continue our work, I often think of Chairman Stevens’ laughter, his energy, and his deep respect for everyone he encountered, from U.S. senators to young Native athletes at our youth events. He believed in people and in purpose.
That purpose continues to guide me and all of us at IGA. We will honor him not only through remembrance, but through action; by advancing the causes he cared most about: sovereignty, self-determination, and the future of our Nations.
On behalf of our Board of Directors and staff, I thank every tribal leader for your prayers, strength, and partnership during this transition. I am honored to serve as your Chairman and will carry forward the legacy Chairman Stevens built with steady hands, an open heart, and a spirit always in motion.
Together, we will continue the journey he began. Together, we will ensure that Indian gaming – and the sovereignty it represents – remains strong for generations to come.
David Z. Bean is Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association. He can be reached by calling (202) 546-7711 or visit www.indiangaming.org.
