The National Indian Gaming Commission will meet with tribal leaders and regulators Wednesday to get their input on sports betting prediction markets. However, the tribal gaming regulatory is not expected to weigh in on the heated topic that has backing within the Trump Administration.
While the tradeshow kicks off Wednesday morning at the Indian Gaming Association’s conference at the San Diego Convention Center, the NIGC at the same time is using the platform to gain more feedback from tribes and tribal regulators.
Prediction markets have been the hot topic at this year’s conference. IGA announced Monday that it is raising millions of dollars to fight them and plans to file a lawsuit against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, which has signed off on operators offering sports trades nationwide outside of any state regulatory oversight.
When the NIGC was brought up during a workshop Monday on prediction markets, tribal leaders said they hoped the regulatory body would make a statement on the issue, but aren’t expecting it. The NIGC falls within the Department of Interior, thus is part of the Trump Administration, which that signed off on prediction markets.
Vice Chair Jeannie Hovland told CDC Gaming after speaking during a panel discussion on NIGC leadership that it’s holding a listening session and wouldn’t comment on whether it will take a position as the tribes have sought. The NIGC held a Zoom roundtable with tribes in January to get their input on the issue.
Rea Cisneros, associate general counsel for the NIGC, told the audience during the panel discussion that it does not have independent litigation authority. That means the NIGC can’t bring or defend an action in federal court, unlike other agencies.
“Our agency works directly with the Department of Justice, which will work with us to bring or defend actions in federal court on the agency’s behalf,” Cisneros said. “That’s important when we talk about the bigger picture of prediction markets. There are lawsuits in many state and federal courts and depending on how those are resolved, there may be litigation in the Supreme Court.”
Hovland thanked IGA for allowing the agency to take time during the conference to have what she called “an important dialogue” with tribes.
“Tribal regulators and leaders know your community and tribal gaming best,” Hovland said. “You regulate over 250 tribes or more than 500 gaming operations, so we need to hear from as many of these as possible. We know there’s going to be an impact and different recommendations, and we value your input.”
Hovland said it’s important to continue the dialogue and engagement and called it “a wonderful opportunity” to meet with stakeholders and experts.
