The Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention gave a sneak peak of its spring show in San Diego ahead of the full release of its schedule next week, as tribes continue to monitor Trump Administration policies impacts on their nations.
This year’s show marks the 40th year and runs March 31 to April 3 at the San Diego Convention Center. Its theme is “The Future of Indian Gaming: The Next Chapter.” That reflects a pivotal moment for the tribal gaming industry, as it navigates an era of rapid changes and innovation, organizers said.
Conference Chair Victor Rocha, IGA Chair Ernie Stevens, and IGA Executive Director Jason Giles unveiled preliminary details of the educational program during a webinar on Thursday. The breakdown of the educational sessions with speakers will be posted this week on the website
The 2025 IGA conference program will explore how emerging technologies, evolving regulatory landscapes, and shifting market dynamics are reshaping the future of Indian gaming.
“This show is shaping up to be one of the more serious ones,” Giles said. “Sweepstakes gaming is an immediate threat. On top of that, this sports contract market that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission is thinking of regulating threatens sports betting across the country.”
The Commission will be holding a roundtable to help develop its approach to regulation and oversight of prediction markets, including sports-related contracts.
The show will highlight the opportunities and challenges facing tribal casinos and gaming operations, emphasizing the importance of adaptability, resilience, and strategic foresight in sustaining growth and preserving tribal sovereignty, Rocha said. The trade show will take center stage on the final two days of the conference.
“It’s more than just an expo,” Rocha said. “It’s our platform for education, strategy, and critical conversations. We’re discussing where tribal gaming is heading. With a new (presidential) administration, that conversation is more important than ever.”
The conference kicks off at 1 p.m. Monday of that week, as part of a deep dive into leveraging online gaming for tribal growth. Four consecutive sessions will deal with assessing market potential, launching independent platforms, forming strategic partnerships, and negotiating successful agreements.
Tuesday is a full day of educational sessions on various topics. Ten tracks will be featured in sessions that run 9 a.m. through 5 p.m.
Those tracks are casino and gaming operations; economic impact and development; emerging trends; interactive wagering; legal and tribal sovereignty; regulatory and compliance; security and surveillance; technology and innovation; player development; and an Indian Gaming Association track.
Rocha highlighted emerging-trends track that will examine the current political landscape. “Sovereignty and Tribal Gaming: Challenges Ahead with the New Trump Administration” will consider the impact of new federal policies on tribal sovereignty, gaming regulations, and land-into-trust procedures.
“That’s going to be a big theme of the show,” Rocha said. “It’s about problem solving. We don’t run around with our hair on fire. We don’t wring hands. We solve problems. We’re resolute going forward. All hands on deck. This isn’t a drill. On one hand, we’re doing our business, but we’re doing our politics as well. IGA was created to protect tribal gaming.”
Giles said tribal leaders will discuss the Trump administration on Tuesday at its membership meeting on policy. They will be reinforcing the nation-to-nation status of Indian tribes and treaty protections that can’t be undone, he noted.
“It’s a closed-door meeting and we need all of the representatives there to focus on this,” Giles said. “We have six to seven weeks of things that can happen, so our show will be timely. We need tribal leaders to come to that one and maybe get a good statement out of it. Then we’ll see what we need to do beyond that.”
Giles also said they’re looking forward to discussing the issues with commercial partners, adding he’s talked with a lot of the slot manufacturers about any expansion of tariffs.
“A lot of these guys get their raw materials from overseas,” Giles said. “Think of every casino sundry shop. All of that stuff comes from China. This is a different era, dealing with (the president). Our pants might be on fire by the time the trade show starts.”
Stevens said their pants might already be on fire and that the association continues to talk to lawmakers and congressional and agency staffers to protect tribal interests.
“We will have intense policy discussion (at the tradeshow) and we have to stand by tribal sovereignty,” Stevens said. “It’s a scary time right now, especially if we don’t give our people some confidence, reassure them, and help them understand that this administration will get it figured out and work with us.”
Stevens pointed out, however, that Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum has a lot of experience working with tribes as former governor of North Dakota. Tribal school and college funding is among their concerns.
“That’s the way of the world for the next couple of years,” Giles said.
A tribal energy summit will be held on Wednesday and educational sessions on the expo floor Wednesday and Thursday.
For the second consecutive year, this year’s conference will feature the DigitalPlay Summit that features igaming and sports betting exhibits and content sessions taking place on the show floor. It’s part of the expo on Wednesday and Thursday. “It was very successful last year, and we’re excited about this again,” Rocha said.
The Indian Gaming Association also unveiled its upcoming annual schedule for the conference.
Brian Sullivan, vice president of gaming for Clarion Events North America, said that after San Diego this year and next, Las Vegas will host the show in 2027, then return to San Diego in 2028. San Diego can’t host the conference in 2029, so the plan is to host it in Las Vegas. It will return to San Diego in 2030.
Sullivan said this year’s show is tracking 800 room nights more than the 2023 San Diego show.
“Going back to San Diego is (boosting) things and making things happen,” Sullivan said. “If you haven’t made your plans, it’s time to do it. Get the hotel you want and be up the street. Go to the website and travel page.”
