OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) participated in the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) Annual Meeting, with a panel discussion on Thursday, November 7, at the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal Services Center in Oklahoma City, OK.
IGA Chairman David Z. Bean, Executive Director Jason Giles, and Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Executive Director Matthew Morgan met with tribal leaders from across the state. Together, they continued the discussion on safeguarding tribal gaming markets from online sweepstakes and prediction platforms operating outside legal tribal and state regulatory frameworks.
This panel discussion showed that tribes are not looking the other way. Work is already underway to organize legal action and congressional outreach and to prepare formal filings that support this effort.
“IGA is taking a strong national stance,” said Bean. “Sweepstakes and the effort by the CFTC to classify sports gambling as a commodity go against the legal and regulated framework that tribal nations have established. We will oppose this. We are working in a coordinated response with our member tribes that includes legal filings, congressional education, and direct engagement with regulators. Tribal gaming is lawful and regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. We will not permit unregulated platforms to redefine gaming in the United States.”
OIGA Matt Morgan shared the challenges gaming tribes in Oklahoma are experiencing as illegal operators continue to target Oklahoma players with no regulatory structure, no taxes, and no consumer protections. Oklahoma tribes have contributed more than two billion dollars under compact agreements while facing an environment where offshore operators have not been held accountable.
“We are working directly with Oklahoma tribal leadership, all of our member tribes, and other sister organizations to coordinate filings and build litigation support,” said Giles. “This next phase is action. Amicus briefs and litigation structures are being organized now. IGA will continue to support tribes as we move through this process. Tribes have always protected their customers, and the illegal online market does not.”
Tribal leaders participating in UINO agreed that a coordinated legal strategy and federal engagement are essential to protect tribal sovereignty. They further agreed that education in Congress and with federal agencies is needed to prevent unregulated online products from bypassing IGRA and tribal state compacts.
