Oklahoma City (July 7, 2025) — Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association will host its 30th Conference and Trade Show at the Oklahoma City Convention Center July 14-16. Nearly 3,000 attendees, including tribal leadership, gaming executives and professionals, hospitality professionals and vendors, all coming together to do business, learn from one another, network and enjoy all downtown Oklahoma City has to offer.
“We’ve made a vast amount of progress over the past thirty years, and there’s much more to come. OIGA was formed in 1986, two years before the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) was passed. Our Conference and Trade Show looked very different than it does today. All of it – the vendors, the sessions, the networking – fit in one conference room. We’ve certainly grown since then, but something important has remained the same: the feeling you get when you are at an OIGA conference. The tribal gaming industry in Oklahoma creates good-paying jobs in cities and towns across our state. It develops infrastructure like roads and internet access. It drives tribal philanthropy and investment in education, funds government programs, drives economic development and provides for the well-being of tribal citizens and the community at-large. I am profoundly grateful for the tribal gaming industry and proud of all the good it brings,” said Matthew L. Morgan, OIGA chairman.
Long known affectionately as ‘the biggest little show in tribal gaming,’ the Conference and Trade Show begins bright and early on Monday with the annual John Marley Golf Tournament at Lincoln Park Golf Course (sold out), an event which raises educational scholarship funds for individuals who work in our tribal gaming industry and their dependents. Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association established the John Marley Scholarship in 2008 to provide educational opportunities for OIGA member employees and their families. The John Marley Scholarships are dedicated to the search for knowledge and providing scholarships for eligible individuals to attend accredited colleges, universities, and trade schools in Oklahoma or other states. Since 2014, OIGA has awarded more than 70 scholarships.
The conference begins Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. with the keynote address given by Paul Speirs-Hernandez. His topic: “It’s Time to Say the F Word Again.” (The word is fun!) After that, the morning will be filled with more conference sessions, followed by the ribbon cutting and opening of the trade show floor at noon, with a buffet lunch served at several stations on the floor. At 1:00 p.m., scholarships and awards including the Chairman’s Award and Modern Day Warrior Awards will be given during a presentation on the trade show floor.
Conference sessions have been strategically planned with topics and tracks for professionals in every facet of gaming and ancillary industries. Foundational subject matter ideal for younger professionals just starting their careers, or people new to gaming will include topics like “History of Oklahoma Tribal Gaming,” “Responsible Gaming,” and a roundtable forum discussion from tribal leaders.
Other session topics include:
Tribal Leadership Discussion. As Tribal businesses face economic fluctuations, market disruptions, and evolving consumer behaviors, leaders must demonstrate adaptability, empathy, strategic vision, and transparent communication to instill trust, and motivate teams. This interview will delve into these leaders’ methods in staying on course.
Navigating the New Administration. Tribal governments are actively involved in steering through the changing landscape of federal policies to best serve the interests of their communities and enterprises. What have we learned, and what are we looking out for?
Disaster Preparedness & Mother Nature’s Wrath. Run the check list. Risk assessment, Emergency response plan, infrastructure resilience, supply chain, communications, and recovery. Are you ready?
United for Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Economic Impact Study Review. Dr. Kyle Dean, professor of economics, will review the results of the study, speaking to the significant contributions by Tribal nations to the Oklahoma state economy.
Sport Betting Negotiations. Can you create a balance? The complexities of negotiating within the bounds of the IGRA, taking measure of the interests of the State and varied stakeholders. What not to leave out, what not to forget, and how do you get there.
Wednesday morning is packed with more conference sessions, followed by lunch on the Trade Show Floor when it opens at noon.