SANDIA PUEBLO, NM – The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) recently attended the Coalition of New Mexico Gaming Tribes membership meeting at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Albuquerque, NM, to provide national legislative and organization updates to the coalition’s member tribes.
Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association, spoke to the Coalition Tribes, which include gaming tribes and pueblos in New Mexico. He highlighted the ongoing success of tribal government gaming in New Mexico, emphasizing the vital contributions of these tribes to the state’s economic development and cultural preservation. “It’s truly inspiring to stand before your leadership today and witness the remarkable growth happening here at Sandia,” said Stevens.
Stevens also shared the outstanding recent Indian gaming revenue reports. “According to the recent report from the NIGC, we are proud to announce that Indian gaming revenues have risen to $41.9 billion in 2023, surpassing the record-breaking figures of 2022,” said Stevens. “This growth is not just a number; it has significant implications for Indian Country and our neighboring communities. Most importantly, the total number of jobs generated by Indian gaming has nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating our commitment to economic revitalization and community support. Our comeback is often seen as a miracle by many, especially in light of what we faced during the pandemic. However, it’s not viewed as a miracle for our leaders. Those of you who work alongside our leadership and elders know that we carry the expectation to secure a bright future for our tribes and communities.”
“Our record-breaking revenue not only reflects the resilience of our tribal nations, including in New Mexico, but also underscores the vital economic contributions we provide to our communities and the wider economy,” said Stevens. “As we move forward in this changing environment, it’s essential to stay united and advocate for policies that safeguard our sovereignty and support our economic development.”
Stevens also underscored the significance of tribal sovereignty and economic self-sufficiency in Indian Country. In his address, Stevens provided crucial legislative updates, including new regulations surrounding the General Welfare Exclusion Act, the Interior Department’s fee-to-trust processes, concerns regarding the implications of land restoration cases and stressed the importance of mitigating the risks posed by unfavorable Supreme Court decisions and the continued work with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the NCAI/IGA task force. Stevens impressed upon the importance of the upcoming national elections and the potential impacts on Indian Country. “The Native vote is vital in this election year,” said Stevens. “We must ensure that the decision-makers elected to power truly understand and respect our unique status as sovereign nations. We must focus on selecting policymakers who will honor the federal government’s treaty and trust obligations to Indian tribes.”
Danielle Her Many Horses, Deputy Director, and Elizabeth Homer, IGA Regulatory Counsel, also contributed additional legislative updates.
“Indian Country’s work never ends,” Stevens said in closing. “At the Indian Gaming Association, we are dedicated to advocating for our member tribes across Capitol Hill, within the administration, and in the Supreme Court, ensuring that tribal gaming and tribal sovereignty remain unwaveringly protected.”