Indian Gaming Association sets agenda for mid-year conference

IndfianStrengthening tribal gaming to endure “the age of disruption” is the theme of this year’s Indian Gaming Association mid-year conference hosted by the Mystic Lake Casino in Minnesota, Sept. 8-10.

Tribal gaming is facing a perfect storm from federal policy shifts, economic pressure, emerging gray markets, and the intensifying battle over sports betting, said IGA Conference Chair Victor Rocha.

The “Built to Endure” conference brings together tribal leaders, policymakers, and industry experts to chart a path forward. It includes a table-top trade show. “This conference is a way for tribes to get together every six months to share notes,” Rocha said. “We create content that’s time sensitive.”

From defending sovereignty against unregulated threats to shaping the future of sports betting in states like Minnesota, this year’s conference focuses on resilience, innovation, and securing tribal gaming’s place in a rapidly evolving landscape, Rocha said.

“Tribes are vulnerable in so many ways with this new administration that I wanted to make sure we have some comprehension and conversations of what to expect,” Rocha said. “This administration is hell bent on destroying the education and health departments, things tribes rely on. It’s not in a way that’s aggrieved, but we look at it in a professional way.”

The opening day theme on Sept. 8 is “Under Pressure: Indian Country in the Crosshairs of Federal Policy.”
From sweeping federal budget cuts to mounting trade tariffs, Indian Country is facing a wave of economic disruption, Rocha said. Tribal governments are contending with slashed funding for such critical services as health care, education, and law enforcement, while tribal gaming operations struggle with rising costs tied to construction, technology, and supply chains.

Sessions will examine how these pressures threaten tribal sovereignty, violate federal obligations, and put long-term economic stability at risk for Native nations across the country, Rocha said.

“We have a session about development, infrastructure, expansion, and renovation. Do you wait or do you go with the tariffs? There was an article about a casino being built in Nebraska that in one day, tariffs added $1 million to the cost.”

A session on labor and energy costs is followed by discussions with tribal leaders about what is and isn’t working for them on how to survive the uncertainty. The first day will also include a discussion with Minnesota Lt. Gov. and tribal member Peggy Flanagan.

The second day’s theme is “Pushing Forward: The Fight to Legalize Sports Betting in Minnesota.”

Minnesota stands at a critical juncture as efforts to legalize sports betting continue to face political, economic, and tribal sovereignty challenges, Rocha said.

“This discussion explores the forces shaping the debate, from tribal leadership and racetrack opposition to legislative gridlock. As neighboring states move ahead, Minnesota must decide whether to act — or risk losing ground in the evolving gaming landscape.”

The final day’s theme is “The Threat From Within: Tribal Gaming Under Attack.”

Rocha said the greatest threats to tribal gaming are no longer at the gates. They’re already inside.

“Sweepstakes gambling, offshore crypto casinos, and prediction markets are eroding tribal markets from within, weakening sovereignty and siphoning revenue,” Rocha said.” Without action, the foundations of tribal gaming could be permanently compromised. The clock is ticking.”