Agenda unveiled for Indian Gaming Association's mid-year meeting
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) is hosting its Mid-Year Conference from September 8-10 at Mystic Lake Casino in Minnesota, with the theme "Strengthening tribal gaming to endure 'the age of disruption'."
The conference, titled "Built to Endure," aims to chart a path forward for tribal gaming in the United States. According to conference chair Victor Rocha, the primary challenges facing tribal gaming include navigating regulatory complexities, adapting to evolving technology, labor shortages, inflationary pressures, and rising material costs. These issues put pressure on tribal gaming operations and emphasize the need to build enduring strategies for the sector's growth and stability.
The opening day theme on September 8 is "Under Pressure: Indian Country in the Crosshairs of Federal Policy." The second day of the conference will focus on the fight to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, a state that is at a critical juncture in its efforts, facing political, economic, and tribal sovereignty challenges.
On the second day, the discussion will explore the forces shaping the debate on sports betting legalization. However, the greatest challenges to tribal gaming, according to Rocha, are the internal threats. Sweepstakes gambling, offshore crypto casinos, and prediction markets are eroding tribal gaming markets from within. The final day's theme is "The Threat From Within: Tribal Gaming Under Attack."
The conference will discuss the strategies and actions needed to combat these internal threats to tribal gaming. A session on development, infrastructure, expansion, and renovation is scheduled for the conference. The conference also aims to bring together tribal leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss resilience, innovation, and securing tribal gaming's place in a rapidly evolving landscape.
Indian Country is facing a wave of economic disruption due to sweeping federal budget cuts and mounting trade tariffs. Tribal governments are contending with slashed funding for critical services like health care, education, and law enforcement. Tribal gaming operations are struggling with rising costs tied to construction, technology, and supply chains.
The conference's table-top trade show adds to its appeal, providing an opportunity for attendees to explore solutions and collaborate on strategies to address these challenges. The conference aims to equip tribal gaming leaders with the tools they need to build enduring strategies for their operations and secure their place in the industry.
The clock is ticking for tribal gaming to take action against these internal threats. Without action, the foundations of tribal gaming could be permanently compromised. The conference is a significant step towards strengthening tribal gaming to endure 'the age of disruption.'
- Discussions on the second day of the conference will also delve into the fight to legalize sports betting in Minnesota, a critical issue that encompasses both casino-and-gambling and sports.
- The internal threats to tribal gaming, such as sweepstakes gambling and offshore crypto casinos, pose significant challenges and are part of the broader context of enduring strategies to preserve tribal gaming operations in the face of economic disruption.
