Indian Gaming Association and National Congress of American Indians Join Forces in Courts and Congress Against Prediction Market Betting

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA), which brings together the tribal nations in the United States that operate casinos and other forms of gambling, and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), the main organization of the country's tribal governments, have taken a step further in their common strategy. The goal is to protect tribal gambling and the sovereignty of Indian nations, with prediction markets as the main threat.

The IGA-NCAI Joint Working Group, reactivated in 2023 and co-chaired by NCAI President Mark Macarro and IGA President David Z. Bean, met on October 23 at the Convention Center in Palm Springs , California, during the NCAI national convention. There it approved a formal job description, covering legal, administrative, legislative, and economic matters affecting tribal nation gambling.

The central focus was the expansion of online sports betting through prediction markets, which the IGA considers illegal gambling because, according to the association, it circumvents tribal and state authority. The IGA argues that "a financial label" cannot be used to circumvent the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, tribal legislation, tribal-state agreements , or state gambling laws. Participants addressed the need for a coordinated response in the courts, Congress , and federal agencies.

"Calling a sports bet a financial product does not erase our sovereignty," Bean said. "Tribal nations have built gaming systems based on law, accountability, and the responsibility to protect our communities. We will continue to combat attempts to bypass those protections and put our governments and economic futures at risk."

The task force set its priorities for the coming year. It wants to strengthen its presence in Congress, coordinate litigation and briefs of support with national legal partners, including the Tribal Supreme Court Project, and expand cooperation with regional gaming associations. It also seeks stable resources for legal advocacy and outreach, and discussed congressional oversight of federal agency decisions affecting prediction markets. The next phase will translate that framework into annual goals, a calendar of monthly meetings and calls between conventions.

"This work cannot begin and end with a convention," Bean stressed. "We need constant communication, clear priorities and the resources to stay involved."

Participants also reviewed economic studies on the potential harm of prediction markets. They insisted on explaining these risks based on their effect on each tribal nation, local employment , and essential services, and not just national gambling revenue figures. According to the IGA, gambling revenues support tribal governments' health, education, housing, public safety, infrastructure, and cultural preservation .

The tribal crackdown on these platforms is not new. In September, the IGA celebrated Kalshi's court setback before the tribes, and the G2E show in Las Vegas brought together a union, political, tribal, and business front against prediction markets.