Press Release
For Immediate Release

Contact: James May
(916) 754-7540
james@cniga.com

State of the Tribal Nations Address Given at the 29th Western Indian Gaming Conference, Addresses Threats to Tribal Gaming

February 25, 2026

Temecula, CA—More than 600 tribal leaders, regulators, industry professionals and policy experts, gathered at the 29th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference (WIGC) at Pechanga Resort Casino this week for a series of speeches, workshops and networking events.

The WIGC has proven to be one of the most informative conferences in Indian Country and features the annual State of the Tribal Nations Address during the General Session that kicks off the conference.
This year, the State of the Tribal Nations Address was delivered by CNIGA Chairman James Siva. He highlighted the positive impact of the tribal government gaming industry in California. Citing recent data, Chairman Siva pointed out that expenditures from tribal gaming operations in California generated approximately $17.2 billion in economic output, and $5.3 billion in earnings for California workers.

In the Address, Chairman Siva touched on several issues, including CNIGA’s recent record of legislative success, new California Department of Justice rules regarding commercial cardrooms and tribal charitable giving. He also highlighted multiple tribal conservation efforts throughout the state.

However, he warned tribes of a looming threat to the tribal government gaming industry, the misuse of predictions markets in the form of illegal sports events contracts.

“It would not be an exaggeration to characterize what we face as the largest existential crisis our industry has ever faced,” said Chairman Siva. He later said: “It cannot be overstated how vast an abuse this is of the scope of what futures markets can offer. Multiple federal laws seem to clearly prohibit this type of activity.”
He called for tribal unity in the face of such a threat, and that any effort to legalize sports wagering be tribally led and safe for California consumers.

A full transcription of the State of the Tribal Nations can be obtained on the CNIGA website at:
https://cniga.com/press_releases/state-of-the-tribal-nations-address-2026/

The WIGC takes place from Tuesday February 24 through Thursday February 26 this year and is held every year in February.

About CNIGA:
The California Nations Indian Gaming Association is a non-profit association comprised of 57 federally recognized tribal governments dedicated to the protection of tribal sovereignty and the inherent right of tribes to have gaming on Indian lands.

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