Leaders Discuss the Future of Tribal Gaming under Trump

Native American gaming leaders are wary of Trump’s second term as president, fearing that it might impact their businesses. The billionaire has been an outspoken critic of tribal gaming, critiquing the vastly different rules they have to adhere to.

Governmental Shifts May Mean Trouble for Tribal Gaming

At a recent Indian Gaming Association (IGA) webinar, tribal leaders discussed the ways in which tribal nations might be affected by the Trump administration’s policies.  

From the very start, the president named North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as the secretary of the interior – a position closely tied to the oversight of tribal nations.

IGA conference chairman Victor Rocha acknowledged that Burgum isn’t an outspoken opponent of tribal rights, but noted that the appointee has previously refused to provide online betting exclusivity to North Dakota tribes. In short, even if Burgum isn’t the worst choice for the tribes, he is not their ally either, at least not when it comes to gaming.

In addition to that, Rocha pointed out that securing land into trust or off-reservation gaming opportunities is likely to be much harder under Trump than it was under Joe Biden.

Tribal Companies Must Stand Strong

IGA executive director Jason Giles, on the other hand, was concerned about whether tribes would be able to secure much-needed federal help in their fight against the black market. Gaming entities have also previously expressed concern about the rapid growth of grey-market products, such as sweepstakes, which have cannibalized their revenues.

To make matters worse, the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has gone without a chairperson for more than a year, creating instability that benefits tribal operators’ competitors.

Journalist Mark Trahant, who was also a part of the webinar, regretted that tribal gaming seems to be low on the government’s priority list. He reminisced about the end of the 20th century when America was once again dominated by business moguls, resulting in multiple challenges for tribal companies.

Ernest Stevens, chair of the IGA, was the fourth participant in the webinar. He said that one thing’s for certain and that is that tribal companies should “fight smart” instead of waiting for things to simply get better.

Stevens suggested that, to that end, tribal leaders must continue to support education and produce strong future leaders. He said that he himself is a product of a system that he wishes to maintain and expand.

Tribal Gaming Grows Despite the Challenges

Speaking of challenges to tribal gaming, the state of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the federal government, disputing its approval of a tribal gaming venue.

In more optimistic news, the Coquille Indian Tribe of Oregon just unveiled a new tie-up with the Heritage Distilling Company that would see the two work on the state’s first tribally owned distillery and tasting room.

The new facility will be collated at The Mills Casino-Hotel and RV Park on Coos Bay in North Bend.

Additionally, the Apache Nugget Corporation, a business owned by the Jicarilla Apache Nation, just signed an agreement with Table Trac, securing access to its cutting-edge casino management system.