This year was one of the best IGA (Indian Gaming Association) Convention & Tradeshows ever. The mix of seminars, training and vendor displays was outstanding. In case you missed the event, hopefully you read the excellent news coverage from my colleagues at CDC Gaming. They hit most of the highlights. But there were a few smaller things that I thought were noteworthy:
- Attendance – The numbers were up 10% in 2025 as the show moved from Anaheim to San Diego. Duh! With a gorgeous shoreline, the Gaslamp entertainment district across the street, the nearby Maritime museum and Seaport Village, plus the U.S. Navy providing security, it’s hard to beat San Diego for any event. But with 7,500 attendees this year, many predicted there might be 9,000 or more. The consulting firm of SCCG Management said, “At the center of the downturn was a reduction in federal funding, particularly in areas like tribal healthcare, education, and infrastructure. These cuts didn’t just tighten community budgets—they directly impacted travel and conference attendance.” Certainly, the Trump talk on tariffs and concerns about international travel also deterred some visitors.
- Pricing – Accommodations in San Diego are never a bargain, but neither were they in Disneyland Anaheim. But things were a bit higher this year since it was also the middle of Spring Break and there were four Padres home games at Petco Park during the show.
- Weather – There is no better weather in the country than San Diego. I can verify that having worked in the market for 15 years and spending another three in the Navy stationed at Coronado. I know what April should be like, but this was one of the coldest and dampest ever. The climate “norms” for this time of the year are temperatures near 80⁰ and just a 9% chance of precipitation. Unfortunately, a hard and steady rain fell to launch the event, and it was rare to see the thermometer get much above 60⁰. While the Spring Breakers had to be bummed, it was just fine inside the convention center.
- Shoes – Skechers understands gaming. That’s probably why they rented a booth. They know that comfortable shoes are the secret to surviving tradeshows, and they are critical to daily casino operations. You can ask any dealer, cashier, waitress or slot attendant about what it feels like to be on your feet for a full shift, five days-a-week or more. At the show, Skechers featured a new line of “Slip On” work shoes. You may think steel toes are only for construction workers, but don’t tell that to anyone who has been run over by a drop cart or had a slot stool dropped on their toe.
- Sweepstakes – Opposition to these games was a hot topic at more than one seminar. Led by conference organizer Victor Rocha, they were characterized as a major threat to both Native American and commercial casinos. A few states have banned them, but they remain legal/semi-legal in many others with lax regulations and limited taxation. The industry is right to be concerned.
- More Sweepstakes – My favorite (and the most successful) slot machine influencer is Brian Christopher. He is simply the best. Sadly, I learned that he is also working to promote Sweepstakes games. When I questioned him as to why, he said defensively, “They are perfectly legal.” While that may be marginally true, many casino operators and numerous manufacturers may think Christopher is consorting with the enemy. I would hate his industry standing to be tarnished by his Sweepstakes relationship.
- Booth restrictions – Not a single booth was checking passports, wristbands or requiring DNA samples to enter their walled-off booths at this year’s show. Not even Interblock! Unlike the past, this was a refreshing change. Maybe the vendors are realizing that despite their attempts at check points, security officers and badge verification, everyone still finds out exactly what everyone else is doing. Want proof? Aristocrat screened everyone entering their booth at past shows. If that actually worked, why do they keep having to sue L&W? (LOL).
- Cashless – While this topic remains a tower of babble with no consensus on a future direction, there was one interesting vendor that seemed to show some promise. Trustly was promoting a system that is much like PIN Debit, but without having to use expensive PCI-certified PIN pads. The advantage of this type of transaction is that you cannot incur debt. Using a non-PCI standard smart phone, you can transfer credits directly to a machine from your checking account. It is very similar to paying bills or making deposit using your bank app. But there is no additional app involved. You just scan a QR code on the machine. Importantly (although you can drain your balance if your bank allows), you can’t run up credit card debt. Plus, you’ll avoid the ridiculously high interest charges. If this system, or another one that works like this, can live up to its hype it may be the best way forward to answer cashless issues related to problem gaming. Another benefit is that the bank becomes the bad guy, instead of the casino, when players are turned down for more cash.
- Ernie Stevens – As one of the greatest tribal leaders, he was re-elected to a 13th term as chairman of the Indian Gaming Association. He’s a solid individual and has done an excellent job leading the IGA since he took office 24 years ago. But, please, Ernie, stay off the microphone once your tradeshow opens. This year was slightly better than in the past, but there was still a 15-to-20-minute period on the opening day when it was impossible to have a conversation with anyone as Chairman Stevens MC’ed an IGT promotion at sound levels above 100 decibels.
- Pocket guides – I hope you grabbed a free copy of Casino City’s iGaming Directory. I like their Casino Buyer’s Guide that you can pickup at G2E better, but this new volume lists the latest sports betting websites, calendars, vendor games and more from the emerging iGaming arena. Hopefully, it is now on your bookshelf.
- Attend IGA – I’ve been urging Commercial (non-Native American) casino operators to attend this show for years. While a few seminars are related to tribal issues, most are aimed at a broader casino audience. But it is the tradeshow that is the real gem. The format is less hectic than G2E or ICE. It is best to attend both days, but if you can only make one, try Thursday. Even though there are two less hours to browse than the first day, you’ll experience so much more. Traffic is down about 50% since many tribal members who arrived on Sunday have left. All the vendors and casino operators are still there, have more time to talk, give better demos and have a good feel for what is, or is not, working.
- DigitalPlay Summit – This new area at the north end of the show floor was a nice addition. Along with iGaming and digital vendor booths, there was a stage for seminars on sports betting, online games, payments, esports, and some informative presentations on the future of AI. Lest you think this gaming category is minor, for the last two months online revenues in New Jersey were significantly greater than the win from all their traditional casinos. Best of all, admission to the DigitalPlay seminars was free with your tradeshow badge.
- 2026 – The IGA dates for next year (again in San Diego) are March 30th through April 2nd. If you’re placing a bet, the odds are almost certain that the weather then will be fantastic.
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