Plenty of headlines and hot topics came out of this year’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention. It also recommitted Ernie Stevens as the chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association. This will be his 13th two-year term in the position.
“From day one of my Chairmanship, my commitment has been unwavering—my work is my campaign, always inspired and guided by our tribal leadership,” said Stevens after the election.
“For 24 years, I have remained steadfast, and I will not unpack my bags for the next two years either. Together, we will advance our proactive agenda and unite Indian Country to defend tribal sovereignty at all costs. I have pledged to work tirelessly—morning, noon, and night—to champion our interests in tribal government gaming. I am honored to be your messenger, amplifying the voices of our elected tribal officials with pride and purpose.”
The support behind Stevens was so unanimous throughout the tribal community that he ran unopposed.
Stevens first took on the role of Chairman in 2021. Prior to that, Stevens served as an elected councilamn for the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin as well as the Vice President of the Congress of American Indians (NCAI).
Stevens and IGA have been busy so far this year, including trying to get tribal input when it comes to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) evaluation of event contracts. The group mounted a campaign for tribes and members to submit comments to the CFTC imploring the group to specifically excldue sports contracts as markets covered under the regulatory body.
“Allowing Sports Contracts to be listed and traded will interfere with the sovereign right of tribes and states to exercise their police power to regulate gaming within their respective territories—a right long recognized by courts throughout the United States. Additionally, listing and trading Sports Contracts would decimate the value of the bargained-for-exchange made between tribes and states in their gaming compacts when tribes agree to share their gaming revenues – contributing billions to state governments — in exchange for substantial exclusivity over sports betting in their state,” Stevens wrote to the CFTC.
