The 35th edition of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention kicked off on April 19th and is finishing today at the Anaheim Convention Center in California. During these days, over 6,500 executives have been attending educational sessions and trainings, networking meetings and visiting 318 booths where top gaming companies have been displaying their products and solutions.
Business environment has been good so far. While the first day mainly included conferences, trainings and encounters with peers, the second day saw the opening of the Native American Arts & Crafts booths, where people could shop hand-made goods straight from the creators. Yesterday, the Tradeshow Ribbon Cutting Ceremony occurred, and visitors were able to walk through the show floor, checking innovative products from sports and Esports betting to slots, cashless payments, security and surveillance, table games, hospitality and facilities services, IT, entertainment, and so much more. Some of the key exhibitors were AGS (booth #1431), Aristocrat Technologies (1438), BetConstruct (840), Befred USA Sports (1266), eConnect (904), EGT (1232), Everi (420), JCJ Architecture (1009), Light & Wonder (previously, Scientific Games, 1520), Spintec (350), and TransAct Technologies (1356). Show organizers and associations were also present, such as ICE (1956), AGEM (1205) and UNLV International Gaming Institute (516).
TOPICS DISCUSSED AND ANALYZED
Taking place in California, the central issue was the upcoming November election in which voters of the state will decide whether to allow retail sports betting only at tribal casinos and four horserace tracks. California could join Washington, Arizona, South Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, Connecticut, and New York, where tribes already offer sports betting.
Sessions also addressed the future of casinos, tribal purchases of commercial casinos, labor uncertainty, regulating casino-gaming technology, transforming the guest experience, slot trends, Esports, women in tribal gaming, the risk of cyberattacks, the future of table games, cashless gaming, new business models, marketing, branding, customer acquisition and retention, free to play options, LGBTQ2S rights in the workspace, indigenous women, emerging technologies, responsible gaming in the digital age, online gaming affiliates, convergence of gaming, sports and media, Blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital wallets, evolution of Class ll gaming, among other subjects.
NETWORKING AND THE FUTURE FOR TRIBAL CASINOS
Besides, there were different networking events: a golf tournament, Tribal Membership Annual Meetings, the Fourth Annual Spirit of Sovereignty Slot Tournament, the Chairman’s Welcome Reception at the House of Blues, the Chairman’s Leadership Awards Luncheon, a Cultural Reception, and so much more.
Today, there will be some sessions, a closing keynote at Booth 372 with organizers Ernest Stevens Jr. (Chairman and national spokesperson for the Indian Gaming Association in Washington, D.C.) and Victor Rocha (Conference Chairman, Indian Gaming Association), and the Chairman’s Lounge Tradeshow Floor Grand Giveaway.
As all the industry knows, communities (The Indian Nation) are at the heart of tribal operations, with gaming revenues used to fund the likes of schooling and health care within their infrastructures. On a commercial level, the sector offers an immense amount of opportunity, as North America moves forward with continued regulation across the region.
Despite the twists and turns of the gambling business, and the great responsibility that the tribal gaming has ahead, this fair leaves positive sensations to visitors and organizers; there is a united sector that seeks the best for their respective tribes and that will strongly defend their interests. The IGA (they decided to drop “National” from its title because the “NIGA” acronym was considered offensive if misinterpreted or mispronounced) will continue working to advance the social, economic and political success of its members and the Indian community, at large.
Next 36th edition of IGA’s tradeshow and convention will take place on March 27-30th, 2023, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California (United States).
