Tribes Unite Against Unregulated Sweepstakes and Prediction Platforms
Native American Leaders Rally Against Unregulated Online Gambling
During the recent United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) Annual Meeting in Oklahoma City, Native American gaming leaders across the United States came together to express strong opposition to unlicensed online gambling operators. Tribal representatives and industry experts stood firm on protecting tribal sovereignty and preserving the legitimacy of regulated gambling markets across the nation.
The Indian Gaming Association Prepares Legal Action
The Indian Gaming Association (IGA), along with the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), led discussions focusing on what they described as a coordinated threat against lawful gaming activities. Key figures including IGA Chairman David Z. Bean, Executive Director Jason Giles, and OIGA Executive Director Matthew Morgan, along with numerous tribal leaders, unveiled a nationwide approach to tackle these emerging concerns.
Tribal leaders highlighted ongoing challenges posed by offshore gambling operators who evade taxes, bypass consumer protections, and fail to support local communities. Of particular concern were sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets, which they identified as immediate risks to tribal economic interests and regulatory powers.
Sweepstakes gaming and regulatory moves like classifying sports betting as a commodity undermine the established legal frameworks tribal nations have fought to create.
—David Z. Bean, IGA Chairman
The IGA announced plans to file legal challenges and amicus briefs against sweepstakes-based gaming platforms and prediction markets. One example is Kalshi, an online platform where users can wager on political, cultural, and sports events disguised as trading event contracts, which has already faced multiple legal disputes.
Concerns Grow Following Unfavorable Court Rulings
Tribal gaming advocates’ concerns intensified after a federal court in California rejected an injunction request from three tribes aiming to stop Kalshi’s operations. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley ruled that the tribes had not demonstrated sufficient connection between Kalshi’s activities and tribal lands under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA).
Despite this legal disappointment, tribal representatives reaffirmed their determination to protect their rights. The IGA called on tribes nationwide to unite in defense against efforts that threaten decades of work to build trust and establish regulatory legitimacy in tribal gaming.
With various state governments also cracking down on prediction markets and sweepstakes platforms, the future landscape of gambling regulation in the US remains uncertain.
Tribal gaming is legally regulated under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, and unregulated platforms will not be allowed to redefine US gaming.
—David Z. Bean, IGA Chairman
Next Steps: Nationwide Tribal Coordination and Advocacy
The IGA highlighted its intent to mobilize tribes across the country to coordinate legal efforts, advocate for increased awareness in Congress, and push federal agencies to take more decisive action. Unlike prediction markets that offer no societal benefits, tribal gaming serves as a vital economic foundation and essential support system for many tribal communities.
