Las Vegas, NV – April 16, 2018 – The National Indian Gaming Association Board of Directors came together on the eve of the actual kick off of the 33rd Annual Indian Gaming 2018 Tradeshow and Convention to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 17-20, 2018.

The bi-annual NIGA Board of Directors convened at the headquarters of the Ainsworth Gaming Technology corporate offices to host discussions on topics and resolutions, preparing for the NIGA Member tribe’s meetings to be held along with the most significant gathering of tribal gaming leadership, executives, and industry representatives.

In his welcoming message to the board, NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., said, “It is great to be here in Las Vegas with you as we unveil this year’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention.  We look forward to this opportunity to celebrate the tremendous success of our Indian gaming industry. We expect to break attendance records this week.”

The agenda included a vast number of issues and topics including year-end reports by NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., the Executive Director of NIGA, Jason Giles and the Treasurer of NIGA, Andy Ebona. 

The Chairman’s report covered organizational updates including a 2017 year-end report, an overview of the 2017 Tradeshow Schedule of Events and organizational reports from the Tribal Alliance, Tribal Gaming Protection Network (TPGN) & the National Indian Casino Safety Association (NICSA.)

BMM Test Labs Management presented the National Indian Gaming Association with a check donating to the NIGA Building Fund initiative.  NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. stated, “NIGA’s Board of Directors wishes to thank BMM Testlabs for this significant commitment to our Capital Building Fund, which helps us maintain our important presence in Washington, DC and provide a first-class facility that enables NIGA to continue its work on behalf of Tribal Government Gaming.”

NIGA Executive Director, Jason Giles reported on regulatory efforts, operations, and legislative updates. Kevin Leecy, Director of Membership and Development, provided an overview of the updated initiatives regarding tribal and associate memberships.

NIGA Treasurer Andy Ebona provided an update on the overall financial condition of the organizationaland its operational budget.  As part of the Treasurer’s report board members heard from Joseph Eve & Associates (now Wipfli LLP), who presented the 2017 Audit report.

Under new business, the NIGA Board passed the following resolutions to be forwarded to the NIGA Member tribe meeting for further discussions:

• To Support a repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) or Sports Betting Legislation that Fully Recognizes and Protects Indian Gaming Operations and that satisfies the NIGA Principles of Sovereignty for Any Repeal of PASPA or Sports Betting Legislation
• Requesting the Secretary of Interior to publish in the Federal Register the deemed approved amendments to the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation’s and Mohegan Tribe’s Gaming Compacts
• Opposing the Proposed Amendments to the 25 C.F.R. 151 Land into Trust Regulation

The NIGA Annual Membership meeting will convene Wednesday, April 18, 2017, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.