Tribal gaming leaders used the twenty ninth Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference at Pechanga Resort Casino to sharpen their message on prediction markets, arguing that federal motionnow dangers bypassing the authorized construction that governs tribal and state-regulated playing. The Indian Gaming Association appeared alongside tribal leaders and nationwide organizations and framed the expansion of sports-related occasion contracts as an pressing problem for tribal sovereignty, client protections, and regulatory authority.
Conference Panels Focus On Sovereignty And Enforcement
The convention included a three-part collection titled “Betting Without Permission: The Existential Threat of Prediction Markets on California Tribal Gaming,” which targeted on the authorized, regulatory, and sovereignty implications of prediction markets. Speakers described a state of affairs the place platforms search nationwide attain via the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, quite than via tribal-state compacts, state authorization, or congressional motion.
“The CFTC is being used as a vehicle to authorize nationwide gambling without tribal consent, without state authorization, and without congressional approval,” Victor Rocha stated. “This is federal overreach at its most dangerous. Tribal gaming exists because of negotiated agreements, federal law, and voter approval. Prediction markets attempt to erase that structure through unilateral federal action. Indian Country will not accept that.”
In the second session, “Defining the Threat: When Gambling Is Recast as a Financial Product,” panelists described prediction markets as an effort to deal with sports activities wagering as monetary buying and selling. Speakers stated that shift lets unlicensed platforms function outdoors established oversight and outdoors the buyer safeguards that tribal and state programs require.
“These illegal prediction markets are a deliberate attempt to circumvent tribal sovereignty and federal law,” stated Jason Giles. “By allowing these platforms to operate, federal regulators are undermining decades of federal Indian policy and enabling unlawful gaming activity nationwide. Tribal nations will not stand by while sovereign authority is ignored and lawful gaming is threatened.”
The closing session, “The Case for Unified Action: How Tribes Fight Back,” highlighted coordination amongst tribal leaders and nationwide companions. The IGA pointed to the size of tribal gaming and the position it performs in funding authorities companies.
Tribal gaming generated $43.9 billion in income via 2024, supporting companies that embody healthcare, schooling, infrastructure, and financial improvement. Conference audio system argued that prediction markets now compete with that system whereas working outdoors it.
“Illegal prediction markets are exactly what they sound like: illegal, unregulated online sports betting that operates outside federal and state law,” stated IGA Chairman David Z. Bean, according to Indian Gaming. “Actions by the CFTC under this administration are enabling an unlawful end-run around tribal governments, state regulators, and Congress itself. This is not innovation. This is illegal gambling, and it represents a direct attack on tribal sovereignty and the rule of law.”
Trade Show Push Frames Washington Strategy
In separate remarks throughout an IGA weekly webinar, Bean urged tribes to indicate up in drive on the annual Tradeshow & Convention in San Diego, tying attendance to the assets wanted for federal advocacy.
“Please register and encourage your tribal leaders to register, because this issue is too important,” Bean stated. “We’re under threat. Our ability to provide for our communities are under threat. Our sovereignty is under threat. It’s important to attend the annual trade show and join the association. Attending the trade show helps us develop the budget to take on this battle in Washington, D.C.”
Rocha backed that decision along with his personal message: “United we stand. Divided we fall.”
Bean stated he has spent the month assembly with tribes and lobbying members of Congress, together with talking on the National Congress of American Indians and internet hosting a congressional briefing in Washington with members of the Senate. He stated tribes see the identical theme throughout areas.
“We’ve been pounding the pavement visiting tribes and tribal organizations,” Bean stated. “In Washington, we had a robust dialogue regarding the CFTC. We took tribal leaders on the Hill to talk to members of the Senate. There’s genuine concern. While it’s a new topic, it’s a complex topic in front of us and tribes all around the nation are concerned. They view it as an incredible intrusion on tribal sovereignty.”
Market Growth Claims Add Pressure On States And Tribes
Bean and Rocha pointed to the velocity at which prediction market operators expanded sports-related contracts over the previous 12 months. Bean referenced main operators and argued that tribes and states see authorized conflicts, whereas operators cite federal oversight via the CFTC. He additionally stated courts have principally sided with states and tribes.
“The laws we signed up to follow to regulate our own gaming operation are being trampled on, disregarded, and ignored,” Bean stated. “This has taken off like wildfire and it’s an incredible violation of the law – federal, state, and tribal. Our mission is clear: to protect tribal sovereignty, Indian gaming, and our communities and find ways to move forward as our ancestors have done before us.”
He additionally tied the dispute to compliance requirements that tribes comply with, together with age checks and verifying sources of funds.
“We’ve grown because of regulation. But when looking at these illegal sports betting contracts, there are no guardrails,” Bean stated. “There’s no age verification and no verification of sources of funds and you don’t know who is placing the bet. You don’t know if it’s a bet with inside information.”
Rocha argued that the present tempo displays an effort to lock in a enterprise mannequin earlier than policymakers reply.
“They are moving so fast to entrench themselves, because they know this isn’t sustainable,” Rocha stated. “They’re trying to move as fast as they can to cement their profits.”
At the convention, Bean stated the IGA is coordinating outreach with states, attorneys common, members of Congress, and gaming business companions because it builds authorized and coverage responses.
“We are building a unified national coalition to confront this threat,” Bean stated. “Tribes, states, and our industry partners are standing together to defend lawful gaming and protect our sovereign rights. We will use every legal, legislative, and regulatory tool available until these illegal prediction markets are stopped.”
