IGA Concludes its 2025 Mid-Year Conference and Expo
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) has concluded its 2025 Mid-Year Conference and Expo at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel, Minnesota, where hundreds of tribal leaders, regulators, and industry partners gathered for three days of policy discussions, training sessions, and recognition of achievements in tribal government gaming. The event was hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
The conference opened with the IGA Board of Directors meeting on September 8, chaired by Ernie Stevens, Jr. The Board approved the 2026 budget and unanimously adopted a call-to-action resolution opposing what it described as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s overreach into online gambling markets.
The resolution criticized the agency’s inaction on event contracts involving topics such as elections, weather, and entertainment, which Stevens said threatened the framework established under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
“Indian gaming is one of the greatest success stories in Indian Country. It exists because of the vision and resilience of our tribal governments and the framework Congress established in IGRA, not because of overreach through inaction by federal agencies like the CFTC,” Stevens said.
“This effort by the CFTC threatens to undo decades of progress, disrupt our economies, and infringe upon the inherent sovereignty of state governments and tribal nations.”
The Board also passed a resolution in support of the Seneca Nation of Indians, which is seeking the return of $788 million in revenues withheld by New York State following an arbitration ruling. Stevens said the Seneca Nation has been a key economic driver in Western New York and called on the federal government to enforce the compact terms.
The gathering came as new data from the National Indian Gaming Commission showed revenues reaching $43.9 billion in fiscal year 2024, marking three consecutive years of growth since the pandemic. Stevens noted that tribal gaming now supports nearly 700,000 jobs and contributes more than $10 billion annually to federal, state, and local governments.
“These results are a testament to the resilience and strong leadership of tribal nations across the country. This growth is not just a number; it has important implications for Indian Country and our neighboring communities,” he said.
Conference sessions covered budget priorities, regulatory challenges, and emerging economic trends. Panels included discussions on the CFTC’s jurisdiction, tribal economic development, and collaboration across national organizations. Attendees also took part in regulator training, policy roundtables, and workshops aimed at strengthening tribal economies.
Recognition was a central part of the week. At the Associate Member Appreciation Luncheon, KlasRobinson Q.E.D. and BlueBird CPAs received the Lifetime Appreciation Award for decades of contributions to tribal financial stewardship.
The Sovereignty Luncheon featured the presentation of the John Kieffer Sovereignty Award to Robert “Deuce” Larsen, former President of the Lower Sioux Indian Community, and Rebecca Crooks Stratton, former Secretary/Treasurer of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
“Today, we not only honor him but also celebrate the incredible legacy of his life. With the same commitment that John Kieffer showed, it is a great honor to stand alongside Robert ‘Deuce’ Larsen and Rebecca Crooks Stratton as we recognize their unwavering dedication to tribal sovereignty,” Stevens said in tribute to John Kieffer.
