LAS VEGAS, NV – The 2021 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention ended with a successful turnout at the Caesars Forum Convention Center. Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association, announced that the four-day gaming convention saw outstanding numbers, with almost 8,000 attendees to the overall event and over 350 vendors represented, which resulted in $10 million of economic impact for Las Vegas during the week.
“We are leaving Las Vegas very energized and excited,” said Chairman Stevens. “To see our tribal gaming family come together again after so long was phenomenal. Indian gaming showed up, rolled up our sleeves, and did the work united in our efforts to bring our industry back after the pandemic stopped the world in its tracks.”
Stevens shared that before the COVID pandemic, the Indian gaming industry was a solid contributing force to the tribal and the American economy. It was a $35 billion industry in gross revenue and an additional $6.2 billion in ancillary revenues from hotels, entertainment, restaurants, and retail operations, and ranked 11th in employment in the U.S.
“Coming off the success of our event this week, I am confident that our industry can and will build back,” Stevens said. “We regroup and reunite to build upon the success of our Indian gaming industry that has empowered tribal communities.”
The 2021 Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention hosted numerous events, including an emphasis on topics such as sports betting, online gambling, Tribal-State compacting, the cannabis industry, post-pandemic recovery, gaming operations, cybersecurity and domestic terrorism and federal legislative advocacy. Additional events included the annual membership meeting, workshops, the gaming commissioner certification series, and the Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior Recognition Luncheon and the tradeshow exhibits.
The next gathering will be the National Indian Gaming Association Mid-Year Conference at the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, CA, November 15-17, 2021.
