Indian Gaming Association unveils 2025 tradeshow plans amid industry challenges

The Indian Gaming Association's 40th annual Tradeshow & Convention will be held from March 31 to April 3, 2025, in San Diego, featuring sessions on sports betting, iGaming, tribal sovereignty, and economic sustainability.

Marking its 40th edition, the event—dubbed “The Future of Indian Gaming: The Next Chapter”—will serve as a key platform for education, strategy, and policy discussions.  
  
With tribal gaming facing regulatory uncertainties, industry leaders plan to address potential threats such as sweepstakes gaming and new federal oversight of sports betting contracts.  

“Sweepstakes gaming is an immediate threat,” said Jason Giles, Executive Director of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), warning that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) approach to sports betting contracts could also impact tribal operations.  

The event will also tackle political challenges, including the implications of the Trump administration’s policies on tribal sovereignty and gaming regulations.  

“We will have intense policy discussions, and we have to stand by tribal sovereignty,” said IGA Chair Ernie Stevens. “It’s a scary time right now, especially if we don’t give our people some confidence.”  

A closed-door meeting on Tuesday will bring tribal leaders together to discuss nation-to-nation relations, treaty protections, and potential regulatory changes.  

“We have six to seven weeks of things that can happen, so our show will be timely,” Giles said, urging tribal leaders to attend and help shape the industry’s response.  

One of the key policy sessions, titled “Sovereignty and Tribal Gaming: Challenges Ahead with the New Trump Administration”, will explore land-into-trust policies and other federal changes that could impact tribal gaming operations.  

The four-day event will feature educational tracks, panel discussions, and an expo showcasing the latest innovations in tribal gaming.  

• March 31 (Monday): Sessions on leveraging online gaming, including market assessment, platform development, and strategic partnerships.  

• April 1 (Tuesday): Full-day educational sessions covering casino operations, tribal sovereignty, compliance, technology, security, and economic development.  

• April 2-3 (Wednesday & Thursday):  

• Tribal Energy Summit focusing on sustainability initiatives. 
 
• DigitalPlay Summit, highlighting iGaming and sports betting trends.  

Giles also raised concerns over tariffs impacting casino supply chains, noting that many gaming components and casino retail products come from overseas.  

“This is a different era, dealing with (the president),” Giles said. “Our pants might be on fire by the time the trade show starts.”  

Despite economic uncertainties, attendance is tracking 800 hotel room bookings ahead of 2023, according to Brian Sullivan, Vice President of Gaming for Clarion Events North America.  

“Going back to San Diego is (boosting) things and making things happen,” Sullivan said.  
San Diego will host the tradeshow in 2025 and 2026 before it moves to Las Vegas in 2027. After a one-year shift, the event will return to San Diego in 2028 and 2030, while Las Vegas will host in 2029 due to scheduling conflicts.

The full educational schedule will be released this week on the Indian Gaming Association’s website.