From March 30 to April 2, the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) Tradeshow and Convention is landing back in California at the San Diego Convention Center. Situated at the water’s edge in San Diego Bay, Tribal leaders, regulators and executives from across the industry will gather to share the ideas and initiatives that will drive Tribal gaming forward. Characteristic self-reliance and strength have been at the heart of Tribal gaming for years, and that doesn’t come easily.

To see the kind of sustained growth IGA has helped facilitate from the pre-iGaming era through to the heavily digitized gaming landscape we all now find ourselves in, the organization has had to hold competition in one hand and resolute unity in the other. Without the former, you risk losing innovation and dynamism; without the latter, you could lose the whole sector.

Sovereignty and solidarity

As recently as November, IGA was out meeting leaders of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association to renew those shared commitments to sovereignty and solidarity. Chairman David Bean spoke firmly about the threat that prediction markets potentially pose to all Tribal gaming operations, saying: “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.”

The yearly conference is crucial to maintaining the balance of competition and unity, and this edition of the event will be a particularly poignant one. Not only will it be the 40th year of the IGA Tradeshow and Convention, but it will also be the first in this millennium not to have Chairman Ernie Stevens Jr presiding over it. His passing in 2025 was a sombre time not just for IGA but the entire gaming industry, on whom Chairman Stevens had made such a profound and lasting impact.

It was also a moment to pause and celebrate the many achievements he had notched up in his 25 years at the helm of IGA – 25 years of continuous growth and positivity of character to match. Similarly, the conference this year will be a time to rally in the face of that loss and continue to carry out Chairman Stevens’ vision. The association’s new leader Chairman Bean has assumed the position and has stated his unwavering dedication to continuing his predecessor’s mission.

Innovate. Entertain. Inspire.

Over the 40 years that these conferences have been taking place, steadfast leadership has proved a necessity, not least in the years immediately following the Covid-19 Pandemic. But there is rarely much time for looking back and reflecting, with modernization and futureproofing remaining consistent themes over those years. This year’s theme continues to emphasize the view forward, with the message being: “Innovate. Entertain. Inspire: The Future of Tribal Gaming Begins Here.”

If one were to look back for a moment, there would be much to commemorate this year as well. Not only is it the convention’s 40th birthday, but 2026 has marked the 40th year of operations at the Yaamava’ Resort and Casino in San Manuel. In advance of this special milestone, the venue was recognized at the Global Gaming Awards Americas 2025 in Las Vegas. The casino was presented with the Property of the Year award for the second year running. The Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation was also named Responsible Business of the year for the fifth consecutive year.

For IGA, education is key and the agenda of the meet will be set towards the end of advancing the social, economic and political success of its members and the wider Tribal community. This will be achieved through educational sessions and seminars, the full program of which is still being finalized. We do know, however, that it is set to feature lessons on efficiency, new revenue generators, smart expansion and adoption of new technology.

Hole in one

Also in aid of advancing tribal education, this year will again include The Golf Classic. This fundraising event promises to be a lot of fun, featuring a meet and greet with PGA Golf pro, D.A Points. Importantly, though, participation and sponsorship money will be put towards the Native Forward Scholarship Fund and the betterment of Tribal education across North America. Since the start of this programme, the award has awarded over $350m.

Indeed, the largest gathering of Tribal leaders in the country is set to fulfil all of its ambitions handsomely, creating 
vital networking opportunities while continuing to educate and inspire all of the leaders present.