For this month’s edition of Industry Insiders, we spoke with G2E 2022 keynote presenter Ernie Stevens, Jr., Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) about the importance of tribal gaming, how the IGA advocates for its communities, and what he’s most looking forward to at G2E this year.
You’ve served as the chairman of the IGA for nearly two decades. How have you seen tribal gaming grow during your tenure?
Today, our industry generates half of all gaming revenue in the United States. It is a significant contributor to the national and state economies, driving an array of economic activities, including spending, jobs, wages, taxes, other government revenue, and capital investment. Most importantly, we are protecting and preserving the general welfare of tribes striving for self-sufficiency through gaming enterprises in Indian Country.
We’re excited to have you participate in a keynote at G2E 2022 with other gaming leaders to discuss tribal gaming and the future of the industry. Tell us what you’re most excited about as you envision the future of the gaming industry and tribal gaming’s role within it.
The security, commitment, constant cleansing, and safety precautions have provided the kind of safety our customers have come to appreciate. We must ensure safety first, but our overall observation of the industry indicates that we are moving in a good direction. Considering the circumstances, I think it is okay to be excited and objective about the future of tribal government gaming.
Your keynote at G2E this year falls on Indigenous People’s Day. Tell us about IGA’s history and its importance to tribal gaming and the gaming industry.
At its core, Indigenous People’s Day is an opportunity to educate American citizens about the First peoples of this continent and tell the story of our traditions, culture, and contributions to world history. It is an opportunity to tell the history of North America, not from the European settler perspective, but from the perspective of the indigenous people living here since time immemorial. Indigenous People’s Day is the most important acknowledgment of our people, history, and culture.
In the past 34 years, our tribal government gaming industry has continued to work towards building upon the strength of our communities while continuing the work of educating the world around us about who we are. We know that gaming helps us accomplish that.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are a big priority throughout the gaming industry. How have you helped nurture and grow these principles? Where do you see the need for improvement across the industry?
I am proud of our record of accomplishments in the field of diversity and what we have contributed to the industry and the country. Naturally, we have made these principles a strong priority because of our history, built upon working together. We would not have been able to create a billion-dollar industry without the ability to be inclusive and equal, with our top priority being our employees, customers, and the communities we serve.
G2E is where the global gaming industry comes together to discover, connect, and explore. What new trends and technologies are you most looking for at G2E 2022?
Nevada is where most of the U.S. industry is headquartered and is where the new equipment is built and tested. We are constantly analyzing this industry to draw upon the strengths of today’s technology. And where we once were dependent upon consultants to teach us in our infancy 34 years ago, today we have educated professionals—leaders who have grown up in this industry, who without a doubt are now the experts of the gaming world we live in. When our gaming professionals and tribal leaders come to shows like G2E and Indian Gaming Tradeshow, we know what we are looking for to build into the future of tribal government gaming.
Interesting in attending G2E 2022? Register here today.