The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) has released the full agenda for its 2025 Mid-Year Conference & Expo, set to take place September 8-10 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
This year’s gathering will explore how tribal gaming can adapt and thrive in an era defined by policy uncertainty, economic stress, and emerging market challenges, under the theme “Built to Endure – Strengthening Tribal Gaming in the Age of Disruption.”
The three-day event is expected to draw tribal leaders, gaming executives, policymakers, and industry experts from across the country. Sessions will examine how shifting federal priorities, debates over sports wagering, and the rise of unregulated gambling models are reshaping the industry for tribal enterprises.
Monday’s programming will focus on the mounting pressures Indian Country faces due to federal policy shifts, from budget reductions to trade complications that squeeze economic development and essential government services. Panel discussions will highlight how these dynamics are forcing difficult choices for tribal governments.
Among the day’s headliners is a conversation with Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, who will speak on navigating these fiscal and political headwinds. Tuesday will turn to Minnesota’s own debate over sports betting legalization.
With neighboring states forging ahead, tribal leaders and lawmakers will discuss what a uniquely Minnesotan model might look like, one that respects tribal sovereignty while unlocking new growth opportunities. Sessions will delve into strategies for ensuring tribes are well-positioned if and when sports betting becomes a reality in the state.
On Wednesday, attention will shift inward, examining threats that experts warn are undermining tribal gaming from within. Panels will explore the growing impact of gray market gambling, including sweepstakes, offshore crypto casinos, and unregulated prediction platforms that bypass tribal oversight and siphon potential revenues. The day will conclude with discussions on long-term strategies to protect and strengthen tribal gaming for future generations.
Ron Allen, chairman of the IGA, has previously stressed that tribal gaming’s resilience depends on proactive planning and collaboration to meet both external and internal challenges.
With this year’s conference agenda, organizers aim to give tribal stakeholders a forum to chart a path forward on multiple fronts, from economic diversification to defending sovereignty. Registration is currently open, with the full conference program available at indiangamingtradeshow.com.
Monday, September 8
Theme: Under Pressure – Indian Country in the Crosshairs of Federal Policy
Featured sessions:
- The Road Ahead: A Conversation With Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan
- Building Through Uncertainty: Navigating Cost Volatility in Development
- Margins and Expectations: Balancing Service, Efficiency, and Cost Control
- Fiscal Crossroads: How Policy Shifts Are Forcing Tough Tribal Decisions
Tuesday, September 9
Theme: Pushing Forward – The Fight to Legalize Sports Betting in Minnesota
Featured sessions:
- The Minnesota Market: Mapping the Sports Betting Landscape
- The Minnesota Model: Sovereignty, Strategy, and Sports Betting
- Future-Proofing Minnesota: Exploring New Horizons for Minnesota Tribal Gaming
Wednesday, September 10
Theme: The Threat From Within – Tribal Gaming Under Attack
Featured sessions:
- Under the Radar: How Gray Markets Are Draining Tribal Revenues
- Taking Back the Market: Tribal Strategies Against Unregulated Gambling
- The Long Game: Strengthening Tribal Gaming for the Next Generation
