Oklahoma City (July 14, 2026) — Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association will host its 2026 Conference and Trade Show at the Oklahoma City Convention Center July 20-22. Nearly 3,000 will attend, 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.
“Tribal Gaming in Oklahoma creates good-paying jobs in cities and towns across our state, expands public and private opportunities by adding infrastructure like roads, water, power and internet access. We drive investment in education, government programs and services and economic development that provides for the well-being of our communities. We prioritize giving back, through our philanthropic giving that supports programs across the state. 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 a keynote address in the form of a fireside chat focused on the taste of tribal gaming in the United States. Chairman Morgan will facilitate a conversation with James Siva, Chairman of CNIGA and David Bean, Chairman of IGA.
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 of particular interest to media could include:
Legal Frontiers: Navigating Laws and Legislation in Prediction Markets. Panelists will analyze landmark regulatory cases, recent legislative efforts, and ongoing debates at the State and national levels.
Legacy of Sovereignty: Oklahoma Tribal Gaming Through the Years. Participants will journey through pivotal moments—from the early days of bingo halls to the negotiation of tribal-state compacts, and the emergence of world-class casinos.
Unmasking Exploitation: Human Trafficking Awareness in the Casino Sector. Recognizing and combating this hidden crime is both a moral imperative and a regulatory responsibility for the gaming industry. Listen to the various perspectives in battling it.
Wednesday morning is packed with more conference sessions, followed by lunch on the Trade Show Floor when it opens at noon.
Of particular interest to media:
Oklahoma in Focus: Legislative Recap for 2026 and Insights for 2027. Get up to speed on the most important legislative actions and policy shifts from Oklahoma’s 2026 and 2027 sessions. This panel will highlight key bills, analyze their impacts, and offer insights into emerging trends.
About Tribal Gaming in Oklahoma
In Oklahoma, of the 38 federally recognized tribes, 33 operate governmental gaming operations in accordance with the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). That framework requires that any revenues from gaming operations be used for five core purposes: funding tribal operations, providing for the general welfare of the tribe and its members or citizens, promoting tribal economic development, donating to charitable organizations and helping to fund operations of local government agencies. The amount of good Oklahoma’s tribes have done – and continue to do – has changed our state, improving the lives of all Oklahomans.
All Oklahomans benefit from jobs created by tribal governments and businesses. Tribal nations have put more than 113,000 Oklahomans to work, in good-paying positions in industries and initiatives made possible by revenues generated by gaming. Of course, the gaming industry itself employs many thousands of people, but so do tourism, transportation, healthcare, technology, government services and more. The benefits go far beyond jobs.
Community support from tribes keeps Oklahoma’s nonprofits thriving. All Oklahomans benefit from tribal philanthropy. Our state’s nonprofits have received more than $61 million in support from tribal donations and sponsorships. Whether a nonprofit is focused on arts and culture, education and scholarships, food insecurity, medical technology, programs for preschoolers or the elderly, tribes are making our state better, and our people safer, healthier and happier.
About OIGA
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), established in 1986, is a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members representing organizations, tribes and businesses engaged in tribal gaming enterprises from around Oklahoma. The common commitment and purpose of OIGA is to advance the welfare of Indian peoples economically, socially and politically. The mission of Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association is to promote the general welfare of the Oklahoma Indian Tribes through the development of sound policies and practices with respect to the conduct of gaming enterprises in Indian Country. As a trade association, the purpose of OIGA is to educate and disseminate information to the tribal, federal, and state governments and the general public on issues relating to tribal government gaming.