The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) partnered with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in Palm Springs, California, as tribal leaders, attorneys, and policy advocates gathered for the NCAI national convention.
Convening on October 23, 2026, at the Palm Springs Convention Center, the IGA-NCAI Task Force advanced its operational framework for sustained national coordination dedicated to protecting tribal government gaming, defending sovereign rights, and confronting emerging legal, legislative, regulatory, and economic challenges.
A central focus of the discussions was the continuous expansion of online sports betting offered through prediction markets. The IGA firmly opposes these platforms as unlawful gambling operations that bypass established tribal and state regulatory authority. Attendees analyzed the potential negative consequences for tribal economies, essential government services, and the strict regulatory protections underpinning lawful gaming, ultimately identifying key priorities for coordinated advocacy, litigation support, research, and public education.
Leadership commitment to tribal governance
“Our responsibility is to protect the right of tribal nations to govern our lands, regulate gaming and build a future for our people,” stated Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Z Bean.
“This Task Force brings our leadership and our expertise together so we can turn shared concerns into coordinated action. We have made progress, but we still have work to do.”
Originally reactivated in 2023, the IGA-NCAI Task Force operates as a vital working forum for Tribal Nations, leaders, and legal experts to address multifaceted threats to tribal sovereignty and treaty rights. Co-chaired by NCAI President Mark Macarro and Chairman Bean, the Task Force bridges national advocacy with the immediate priorities of sovereign tribal governments.
During the Palm Springs sessions, participants adopted a formal definition of the Task Force’s remit, encompassing legal, administrative, legislative, and economic dimensions affecting gaming and tribal communities. Explicitly incorporating economic impacts ensures recognition that threats to tribal gaming extend far beyond casino floors, directly impacting the community programs and government services those enterprises support. The pressing challenges posed by prediction markets were also a prominent topic
