The National Indian Gaming Commission Monday announced the departure of Vice Chair Jean Hovland, effective immediately. Hovland appeared last week at the Indian Gaming Association tradeshow in San Diego.
The agency will provide additional details on the leadership succession when available. Sharon Avery remains as associate commissioner.
Hovland spoke at last week’s IGA conference where the agency held a listening session for tribes, but wouldn’t comment to CDC Gaming on whether it will take a position on prediction markets that is supported by other parts of the Trump Administration, while opposed by tribes. She gave no indication of stepping down in her role at the time.
Leaders at the Indian Gaming Association couldn’t be reached for comment.
Hovland, a member of the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe, served as vice chair since 2021.
“This was not an easy decision, but after much prayer and consideration, I have determined that it is time to return home to South Dakota,” said Hovland.
Over five years with NIGC, Hovland has been an advocate for protecting tribal sovereignty, promoting essential pathways to develop the next generation of gaming leaders, and, importantly, elevating awareness, and securing federal resources to combat human trafficking and other threats to tribal communities.
Prior to her service with the Commission, Hovland held several senior federal leadership roles, including Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Native American Affairs at the Administration for Children and Families within the U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
