The accolades are pouring in for Ernie Stevens Jr. the long-time Indian Gaming Association Chairman who died Friday after a sudden medical emergency in Wisconsin where he lived.
The 66-year-old Stevens, described as a warrior for Indian Country, was elected as chair to 13 two-year terms. He also served as an elected councilman for the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin from 1993 to 1999
The Indian Gaming Association issued a statement, praising Stevens for dedicating his life to Indian Country. For more than two decades as Chairman, he “never wavered from the mission of advancing tribal gaming and strengthening tribal sovereignty. Under his leadership, IGA became one of the most powerful and respected voices in Washington, D.C., tirelessly championing the rights of tribal nations and protecting the integrity of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.”
During his tenure, Indian gaming revenues grew from $11 billion in 2000 to a record-breaking $43.9 billion in 2024, making tribal government gaming the largest segment of the U.S. gaming industry. This “extraordinary achievement is a direct reflection of Chairman Stevens’s strategic vision and steadfast advocacy,” working in lockstep with tribal leaders nationwide to foster the Indian gaming industry, ensuring that gaming revenues continued to fund schools, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development across Indian Country,” IGA said in its statement.
“Ernie Stevens, Jr., was more than a chairman; he was a warrior, a statesman, and a champion for all of Indian Country,” said IGA CEO Jason Giles. “His vision and commitment built bridges across tribal nations, Congress, and federal agencies, ensuring that tribal gaming remained a cornerstone of tribal self-determination and economic growth. His legacy will be unmatched and his voice will echo for generations to come.”
Chairman Stevens leaves behind not only a record of policy victories and economic achievements, but also a legacy of unity, dignity, and relentless commitment to the next generation of tribal leaders, Giles said. “He believed deeply in the sovereignty of tribal governments and in their ability to shape a prosperous future for their communities.”
IGA honors Chairman Stevens’s memory by continuing the work he devoted his life to, the organization said.
Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, said the American gaming industry mourns the loss of one of its most transformative and respected leaders.
“Ernie was a tireless and passionate advocate for Indian Country and a unifying force in advancing tribal sovereignty through gaming,” Miller said. “His work not only helped elevate tribal government gaming into a powerful driver of economic opportunity, but also shaped the broader trajectory of our industry with his unwavering commitment to collaboration, integrity, and inclusion.”
Ernie’s induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame in 2015 was a fitting recognition of a career dedicated to uplifting tribal communities and ensuring that gaming could be a vehicle for self-determination, growth, and pride, Miller said.
“He led with wisdom, heart, and deep respect for the generations before him and a clear-eyed vision for those to come,” Miller said. “Beyond his professional impact, I personally cherished Ernie’s friendship. His warmth, generosity, and unwavering support meant a great deal to me.”
Former AGA head Geoff Freeman was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Stevens, who he called a towering figure in tribal gaming.
“That the commercial and tribal gaming communities grew tighter over the past decade is a direct result of Ernie’s leadership,” Freeman said. “He was a passionate effective advocate and remarkably thoughtful, sincere, human being. My heart goes out to Ernie’s wife, Cheryl, and his extended family. I’m grateful for the friendship we built and thankful for the impact he had on my career.”
The Oneida Nation released a statement saying Stevens “has begun his journey to the Creator’s land.”
Oneida Nation Chairman Tehassi Tasi Hill said that while he was widely known for his work in Indian Gaming, many knew Stevens for his unwavering support of his family, youth programming, and sovereignty protection. “Trail-blazing leaders such as Ernie pave the way for uncontested legacies and the nation will be forever grateful for his unselfish contributions.”
Kelli Weaver, CEO/owner of KDW Consulting, said it’s a disheartening time for Indian Country, with the loss of a great leader and friend. “Chairman Stevens’s diplomatic fight to protect our sovereignty and preserve our culture will not be forgotten, and will be celebrated as we now honor him by continuing that resiliency.”
Victor Rocha, chairman of the IGA Tradeshow & Convention, said he and others are heartbroken over the loss. “There really isn’t a better word to describe him than ‘warrior.’ He went to battle every single day. He played the ground game and air game. He did his duty. That’s a great tribute to what he accomplished.”
Rocha said Stevens was special, because he wasn’t all about the big gaming tribes. He wasn’t about gaming at all, but about the tribes overall. He got in his car in the winter and drove to Oklahoma, Minnesota, Nebraska, or South Dakota to attend the opening of a clinic or gym. “It wasn’t just about casinos,” Rocha said. “He went everywhere.”
When people were distraught about bad government actions impacting tribes, the first place they turned was to Stevens, Rocha said. He made people feel heard. “He morphed from a normal guy, the head of a trade group, to a very powerful person in Indian Country who represented dignity, honor.”
When Freeman headed the AGA, he and Stevens got together to end any impasse between commercial and tribal gaming. Freeman flew to Stevens’s home in Green Bay and both were huge Packers fans. “That broke the ice and created the friendship between AGA and IGA,” Rocha said.
The National Indian Gaming Commission released a statement of the passing of Chairman Stevens.
“Beyond his advocacy, Ernie was a bridge-builder, committed to forging trust among tribes, regulators, and Congress,” said NIGC Acting Chairwoman Sharon Avery. “He was a visionary who advocated for Indian gaming on an international stage and understood how strong oversight, integrity, and partnerships were essential for tribes to extend the blessings of tribal gaming for another seven generations.”
Chairman Stevens leaves behind a powerful legacy of steadfast service to tribal gaming and was a valued, trusted voice in a shared interest in the regulatory success of gaming tribes. Over more than two decades at the helm of the IGA, he advocated tirelessly, ensuring tribal voices were heard in federal policy, shaping regulatory partnerships, and promoting industry growth that directly supported community development, education, and healthcare. His efforts contributed to historic expansion in tribal gaming across the nation, the statement said.
Marketing executive Paul Spiers-Hernandez said, “He gave us the blueprint: No matter who you were or what your role was, he gave you his undivided attention and made you feel like the most important person in the room. He overflowed with human decency and respect and the void we feel is real and deep. Let’s take a minute to pause, reflect, and remember. Then let’s take a lifetime and be like Ernie.”
Chairman Stevens always believed his greatest accomplishment and legacy was his family, IGA said in its statement.
“We extend our deepest compassion to his wife Cheryl, his children Brandon, Ernest III, Margaret, Maria, and Lois, and his 20 grandchildren during this time of great loss and will carry forward his mission with the same strength and dedication that defined his life’s work,” the IGA statement said.
Mike Day, executive director of TribalHub, which hosts the TribalNet technology conference, said he’s never met anyone else working for the Native American community who was able to take over a room by entering it. That takes a special quality.
“When he walked into a room, he commanded people’s attention,” Day said. “You could feel the energy change and hear people talking about the fact he was in the room. As a man, he was not only large physically, but large in how we represented Indian Country and especially Native American gaming. His mere presence will be missed, because that’s a big void for anyone to fill.”
On behalf of the American Gaming Association, its members, and the entire gaming community, Miller extended their deepest condolences to the Stevens family, the Indian Gaming Association, “and all those whose lives Ernie touched. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we work to honor the values he championed so well.”
The Oneida Nation said more information and announcements will be shared in the coming days as it becomes available. The Nation’s flags will fly at half-staff until funeral services for Stevens are completed. They are expected to be held by the end of the week and Stevens will be honored at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas next week where he was scheduled to give a keynote address.
“With a good mind, a good heart, and a strong fire, we offer our prayers for his spirit to rest in eternal peace,” said Oneida Nation Chairman Hill.
