WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) convened its tribal leadership membership meeting on Tuesday, April 9th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA. Tribal Leaders gathered from across the nation to discuss issues vital to Indian Country. The meeting was a crucial platform for discussions on the future of Indian Gaming, strategic planning, and recognizing outstanding contributions to the tribal community.
The event commenced with the Posting of Colors by the American Indian Veterans of Southern California, followed by an invocation from IGA Chairman Ernest L. Stevens’s grandson, Markane Ellis of the Oneida Nation.
Chairman Reid Milanovich of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians welcomed attendees, setting the tone for a day of productive dialogue and visionary planning for the tribal gaming industry. A highlight of the meeting was the address from special guest Peggy Flanagan, Lt. Governor of Minnesota, who underscored the importance of collaboration and support among the Native American communities and the United States. She also shared the importance of the Native vote in the upcoming elections.
Chairman Stevens presented the State of the Gaming Industry Address to the member tribes. “Thanks to the diligent work of Indian Country, I proudly report that the State of the Indian Gaming Industry is powerful,” said Stevens.
The IGA Economic Impact report for fiscal year 2023 projects that tribal gaming revenues reached $48 Billion, a $3 billion increase from 2022. Additionally, the reports show that the tribal government gaming industry drew in $5.1 billion in ancillary revenues from hotels, food, beverages, and entertainment.
Chairman Stevens responded, “Indian gaming today remains the most successful economic development tool for industry,” said Stevens. “Our success stems from the work our tribal leaders do day in and day out – the tribal leaders who guide our industry and the casino employees, management professionals, and state of the industry regulators who make the engine run every day.”
Stevens impresses upon the importance of the upcoming 2024 national elections. “As we enter this critical election cycle, IGA is committed to partnering again with our member tribes and affiliated groups to ensure that everyone in Indian Country is educated, empowered, and encouraged to register and make a thorough plan to vote. We must continue our outreach to young voters and extend our engagement deep into Indian Country, encouraging and facilitating their participation at the polls. It’s crucial to highlight the importance of voting for leaders who truly understand and value tribal sovereignty. Our power at the polls will determine whose voices will guide Congress for the next two years and the next administration in the White House.”
IGA Executive Director Jason Giles followed up with legislative updates, providing invaluable insights into Indian Country’s current status and future direction, including gaming. The morning session included a detailed 2023 audit report presented by Treasurer Andy Ebona and Grant Eve, Partner/Gaming and Tribal Government Leader and Vice-Chairman of the Board at Wipfli. The IGA membership meeting then called for nominations for the positions of Vice-Chairman and Treasurer of the Indian Gaming Association.
Tribal leaders engaged in a significant strategy discussion on the next steps for the NCAI-IGA Taskforce, led by Co-Chairs Ernie Stevens Jr. and Mark Macarro, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Discussions addressed various critical issues, including updates on the U.S. Supreme Court and Federal Judiciary, tribal law enforcement and jurisdiction, Indian healthcare, energy development, and Presidential executive orders.
The afternoon resumed with significant updates and presentations, including the Shakopee Donation Presentation by Cole Miller, Chairman of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux, and the NARF Donation Presentation to John Echohawk, Executive Director of the Native American Rights Fund.
Federal agency updates provided members with the latest new regulations impacting Indian Country, including insights into the Section 293 Gaming Compact Regulations and the NIGC Regulatory Update. The meeting concluded with a forward-looking panel on the future of sports betting for Indian Country, featuring regional perspectives and strategic outlooks on sports betting.
The panel discussion titled “The Future of Sports Betting for Indian Country: Prospective Outlook By Region” saw a group of panelists delve into the evolving landscape of sports betting within Indian Country, exploring regional outlooks and prospective developments. Among the speakers were Brandon Yellow-Bird Stevens, Vice-Chairman of the Oneida Nation; Rebecca George, the Executive Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association; and Matt Morgan, Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association. Adding to the depth of the conversation, the event also featured insights from industry representatives, with Rikki Tanenbaum, the SVP of Strategic Partnerships at Fan Duel, and Jeremy Elbaum, the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Draft Kings, sharing their expertise. This panel aimed to shed light on regulatory, economic, and strategic perspectives that are critical for shaping the future of sports betting in Indian territories, providing key insights and forecasts tailored to various regional environments.
