Tempe, Arizona (November 19, 2025) — The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) met last week with the Tribal leaders of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association (AIGA) to renew a long-standing partnership and reinforce a shared commitment to protecting Tribal sovereignty. The gathering continues the outreach efforts established by the late Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., whose leadership shaped much of today’s national Tribal gaming landscape.
IGA Chairman David Z. Bean sat down with Arizona’s Tribal leaders to talk through the challenges ahead, the progress already made, and the need to stay connected as one voice. Chairman Bean stressed that while Chairman Stevens’ passing left a deep void, the mission and the work remain unchanged. He reminded the leaders that Indian Country has faced many threats to sovereignty and gaming rights over the years, and each time, Tribes prevailed by standing together.
“While we lost a powerful voice with the passing of Chairman Stevens, our mission has not changed,” Chairman Bean said. “Our strength has always come from unity. When Tribes stand together, our sovereignty is strongest. We are here to let Arizona’s Tribal leaders know that the team that supported Chairman Stevens all these years remains intact, and we will continue his commitment to protecting Tribal rights, Tribal economies, and the future of Tribal government gaming.”
A significant topic of the meeting was the rapid growth of prediction markets. These companies are trying to present sports betting and event wagering as “futures contracts” so they can operate nationwide without following federal gambling laws. These platforms now process hundreds of millions of dollars each week, and their operators are attempting to bypass the regulatory framework established by Congress under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
Prediction markets operate outside the law and directly undermine the structure that Tribes and states rely on to regulate gaming fairly and responsibly. By calling sports wagers “event contracts,” these companies attempt to sidestep IGRA, Tribal–State compacts, and the Commodity Exchange Act. The result is an unregulated gambling system controlled by private tech companies rather than governments. For Tribes, this is not just a business concern; it is a direct challenge to sovereignty and the protections that IGRA was designed to uphold.
IGA assured the AIGA that it has been very active on this issue, including writing letters to key federal committees, engaging with the American Gaming Association, and raising serious concerns regarding the legality of these markets.
Chairman Bean spoke firmly about the need to confront the threat head-on. He said, “Prediction markets are illegal; they violate IGRA and undermine every hard-won gain Tribes have achieved in government-to-government gaming. We cannot and will not permit private tech companies to bypass Tribal sovereignty by rebranding sports betting as something it is not. Indian Country has faced similar challenges before, and our solution remains the same: unity, strength, and relentless advocacy.”
Chairman Bean also acknowledged and praised the strong example set by Arizona’s Tribal nations, noting the impressive work AIGA has accomplished in its campaign against prediction markets. He expressed gratitude to AIGA for stepping up early, well before this issue gained national attention, and for leading with clarity and purpose. Arizona’s Tribes were among the first in the nation to raise the alarm, sending letters to federal agencies as early as February this year and voicing concerns that influenced the national response.
Chairman Bean stressed that this early involvement not only protected Arizona’s interests but also bolstered Tribal nations’ efforts nationwide.
Working together has allowed Tribes in the state to build one of the most respected Tribal gaming markets in the country. Today, Tribal gaming in Arizona contributes more than $108 million every year to the state’s economy and supports roughly 30,000 jobs.
“These successes are the result of years of cooperation, shared priorities, and a steadfast commitment to defending each other’s rights,” said David Bean. “Tribal leaders at the meeting emphasized that the challenges Tribes face today, whether regulatory, legal, or technological, necessitate the same unity that helped previous generations navigate complex negotiations, court battles, and federal policy fights.”
Chairman Bean reaffirmed that IGA would continue strengthening its partnerships with Tribes across the country, including ongoing visits, follow-up meetings, and regular communication so that no Tribe faces these issues alone.
“Every major challenge Indian Country has overcome, every victory for sovereignty, happened because Tribes came together,” Bean said. “Our unity is what protects IGRA, our compacts, our economies, and our future. Today’s threats require that same unified strength.”
Another reminder from the meeting was that advocacy must never slow down. Leaders discussed how educating Congress, federal regulators, and the public has always been one of the Indian Gaming Association’s most important responsibilities. With fast-moving developments such as prediction markets and increasing online fraud, staying active in Washington remains essential.
Chairman Bean emphasized that this work is not just for today’s leaders, but also for young people who will take on these responsibilities in the future. The discussion focused on the importance of cultural teachings, strong role models, and preparing Native youth to assume leadership roles eventually.
As national events like the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) approach, the meeting emphasized the need for coordinated messaging and unified positions. Leaders agreed that a clear and consistent voice from Indian Country will be crucial as discussions move into the next legislative cycle.
Chairman Bean wrapped up the gathering by reaffirming ongoing outreach: “Our charge is simple: remain vigilant, stay unified, and remain committed to defending Tribal sovereignty. The challenges may change, but our strength stays the same. We will keep visiting Tribal nations, listening to their priorities, and protecting the framework that has supported Tribal government gaming for more than 35 years.”