NIGA MID-YEAR CONFERENCE 2018 MAJOR FOCUS ON SPORTS BETTING AT NIGA MIDYEAR CONFERENCE AND EXPO IGNITES RECORD BREAKING ATTENDANCE
NIGA Mid-Year’s focus on Sport betting closed out with the panel “The Road Ahead: Tribal Gaming After PASPA.” In the photo L-R Victor Rocha, President of Victor Strategies Moderator, NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., NIGA Chief of Staff Debbie Thundercloud, Greg Sarris, Chairman of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria and Mark Macarro, Chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians.
The National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) is pleased to announce record-breaking attendance for the 2018 NIGA Mid-Year Conference and Expo, hosted at the Pechanga Resort & Casino on September 25 – 27, 2018. With a significant focus on Sports betting, close to 700 attendees participated in the annual event. On May 14, 2018, the United States Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which prohibited tribal and state governments from legalizing sports betting within their jurisdictions. In the wake of the Court’s decision tribal leaders have continued to analyze the impacts on tribal-state gaming compacts and on Indian gaming operations. To enhance discussions, NIGA coordinated the annual Mid-Year event to place a focal point on potential opportunities and challenges posed by legal sports betting. Panel discussions examined the economics and business of sports betting, the potential regulatory structure, and policy considerations for the emerging market. National Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr said, “While the Indian gaming industry has a strong seat at the table, it remains critical to maintain our focus on sports betting and
the many aspects of this new part of the national gaming market. We will continue working to ensure that tribal governments have the opportunity to offer this activity as part of their overall entertainment package and as an additional source of revenue for Tribal Government Gaming to promote tribal economic development, tribal self- sufficiency and strong tribal governments.” While the three-day conference hosted an array of dynamic topics and top-notch presenters on all aspects of Sports Betting, it was the meeting with the NIGA’s Member Tribes that brought the opportunities and challenges of sports betting to the forefront. On Wednesday afternoon, September 26, 2018, the member tribes of NIGA came together to discuss further the potentials of sports betting across Indian country. In late August, the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians became the first Tribe in the United States to add sports betting to their gaming operation portfolio. Mississippi Choctaw Chief Phyllis Anderson spoke of the success of their sportsbook’s first weeks in business and guided attendees through their process and next-steps for those tribes interested in venturing into Sports Betting entertainment.
6 | INDIAN GAMING UPDATE - SPRING EDITION 2018
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online