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    9
    Attendees will experience a live demonstration of the most advanced cheating methods currently targeting casinos worldwide. From camera-assisted schemes and micro-communication devices to emerging car …
    10
    This showcase session examines WarHorse Casino as a case study in entering a newly authorized gaming market. Panelists walk through the path from voter approval to operations, highlighting regulatory …
    7A
    Accounting systems in Tribal gaming do far more than record numbers — they play a critical role in protecting assets, supporting compliance, and providing reliable information for decision-makers and …
    3
    AML compliance requires coordination across every department, yet operational silos often create unnecessary risk. This session highlights how collaboration among slots, table games, surveillance, IT, …
    8
    Advancing the discussion of last year’s popular session, it has been more than a year since the Department of the Interior's amendments to 25 CFR Part 293 have been in effect and the impact has been f …
    2951
    This seminar examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping the casino industry through personalized player engagement, consistent communication, real-time data capture, gifting optimization, and i …
    22
    This course explores the critical role of systems in tribal gaming operations and why they matter. Since the use of systems is a daily occurrence in nearly all tribal gaming environments, understandin …
    2951
    As labor constraints continue, automation is shifting from experimentation to execution in casino food and beverage operations. This session examines real-world uses of robotics and AI, from back-of-h …
    2951
    As electric vehicles become more prevalent and tobacco sales decline, the travel plaza industry is evolving. This panel will explore emerging trends, the advantages of operating travel plazas in India …
    1024
    Blockchain is increasingly promoted as a solution for payments, identity, loyalty, and transparency in gaming. For tribal operators, the question is whether it delivers measurable operational value or …
    2951
    Description: After payroll, benefits is frequently the second highest operating cost for employers. In this session we will discuss ways to maximum your return on your benefits investment. We will rev …
    1024
    Technology is reshaping casino operations, player engagement, and competitiveness, from cashless gaming and AI-driven protections to robotics and generative tools that improve decision-making. For tri …
    7B
    In a digital-first world, casino experiences extend beyond the gaming floor and live on social media. Every design decision becomes a brand decision that shapes loyalty and revenue. From dramatic arri …
    10
    Tribally-owned cannabis businesses continue to grow and expand throughout the United States despite challenging markets. This session will explore why these cannabis businesses succeed and under what …
    2
    Format Muscogee Nation Gaming Enterprise launched the first Class II Mobile Slot App in the Apple App and Google Play stores. The panel of MNGE executives Jeff Brooks (CIO), Travis Thompson (CCO), and …
    22
    This course will focus on cloud-based computing, what it is, how it is being utilized in gaming, and technical and regulatory challenges to consider before, during, and after incorporating cloud-based …
    22
    This session demonstrates how AI can serve as an innovative and technology partner in developing TICs (Tribal Internal Controls) and SICs (Standard Internal Controls) under NIGC guidelines. Participan …
    3
    Tribal gaming regulators carry the critical responsibility of ensuring compliance across federal, state, and tribal frameworks while protecting the integrity of gaming. This session examines the curre …
    2951
    Volatile markets are forcing casino operators to manage costs more aggressively without eroding the guest experience. This session examines practical approaches to cost discipline across operations, m …
    1024
    Cryptocurrency technologies are rapidly evolving from speculative assets into functional infrastructure for payments and value transfer. For the gaming industry, crypto tools promise to transform how …
    9
    Cyber threats targeting Tribal gaming enterprises are growing more sophisticated - but they STILL target the most basic of cybersecurity defenses. In this session, we’ll bring real-world expertise fro …
    9
    Cyber incidents are no longer hypothetical for tribal casinos. This session focuses on what happens after a breach, when leadership decisions determine the speed of recovery and financial impact. As A …
    9
    Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT expense for tribal casinos. It is a financial strategy that directly affects revenue stability, insurance premiums, borrowing costs, regulatory exposure, and long …
    1A & 1B
    As casinos move toward cashless environments, digital wallets are reshaping how players interact with slot machines. This session examines the future of slots in a digital payments ecosystem, includin …
    23A
    Rising energy costs are reducing tribal gaming revenues and limiting funds available for investment and community priorities. This session focuses on practical strategies to control energy expenses an …
    2
    Prediction markets are no longer a fringe experiment. Under the oversight of an increasingly aggressive CFTC that is seeking to displace state and tribal control over gaming, these platforms are redef …
    23A
    This opening session provides tribal leaders and gaming executives with a current briefing on federal energy policy under the Trump administration. Representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy’s …
    2951
    Food systems leadership is moving from concept to execution as tribes invest in agriculture, ranching, and food production that directly support casino and resort operations. This session examines how …
    1024
    As tribal gaming expands into online casinos, mobile sports betting, and connected player ecosystems, data presents both risk and opportunity. Security and compliance depend on visibility and traceabi …
  1. 1050
    Women are launching businesses at record rates, yet long-term sustainability remains the central challenge. This session examines how women entrepreneurs move from concept to viable enterprise by buil …
    4
    For decades, direct mail has been a powerful driver of casino visitation. Today, its impact increases when it is connected to digital channels and supported by automation. This panel shares the story …
    9
    Security and surveillance are foundational to gaming operations, yet many programs still rely on outdated, reactive models. This session examines how modern surveillance can evolve into proactive risk …
    4
    This discussion explores how strategic marketing collaboration between suppliers and operators drives stronger launches, higher engagement, and sustained performance. Panelists will share best practic …
    2951
    Casinos invest significant time and reinvestment into player events, promotions, and VIP experiences — yet many still plan these initiatives without fully accounting for player game preferences and sl …
    1050
    The Hozhonigo Institute is a Native-led nonprofit focused on expanding Tribal access to capital and infrastructure. In 2025, it launched the Tribal Funding Registry, a philanthropy-funded, free platfo …
    1024
    California's unanimous passage of AB 831 marks a decisive end to "sweepstakes casinos" operating in a regulatory gray area. These platforms used dual-currency models, offering purchasable play tokens …
    7A
    AI is everywhere in gaming, yet most casino leaders are still asking a very practical question: How do we know when it’s actually working? This panel brings together tribal casino CEOs to share how th …
    2951
    What happens when EVS, Slots, and Security are perfectly in sync? Join us for a fireside chat with several members of the leadership team at Coushatta Casino Resort to find out. We’re sitting down wit …
    1A & 1B
    Both Marketing and Player Development are essential to driving revenue, guest engagement, and brand loyalty. But while their goals may have some overlap, their methods, mindsets, and metrics are funda …
    2951
    Escape the Free Play Trap: Fixing Player Misclassification to Cut Promo Waste 5–15% Without Losing LoyaltyFree play inflation is often a symptom—not the disease. This session shows how misclassificati …
    1A & 1B
    This session isn’t about HR — it’s about performance. As organizations head into 2026 facing tighter resources, ongoing workforce challenges, and increased competition for guests, treating HR as the c …
    8
    Internet gaming presents complex opportunities for tribal nations as commercial operators hold established positions and regulatory expansion has slowed. Tribal participation remains constrained by IG …
    7B
    The same technologies that power internet gambling can also be harnessed to deliver cutting-edge problem gambling prevention and treatment services. Learn how innovative providers are now combining ad …
    3
    Internal controls should protect gaming integrity without slowing operations or becoming outdated. As the industry evolves, many controls no longer reflect current risks. This session examines how tri …
    2951
    In competitive markets, food and beverage offerings often drive loyalty more effectively than gaming rewards alone. This session explores how operators use dining access, targeted offers, and behavior …
    7B
    General managers are facing unprecedented cost pressures driven by tariffs, regulatory mandates, and political uncertainty. This discussion focuses on how casino leaders are making day-to-day operatio …
    4
    Tribal gaming operators face modest growth, rising costs, and pressure on traditional reinvestment models. In this environment, legacy marketing strategies can erode margins if left unchecked. This se …
    23A
    This panel debriefs the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation’s path toward energy sovereignty. Sycuan’s initiative reflects a strategic effort to reclaim control of energy resources, reduce reliance on …
    2951
    Employee tipping plays a critical role in compensation for many casino team members, yet tip distribution remains one of the more complex and operationally burdensome workflows across tribal gaming. A …
    9
    As casinos increase their reliance on technology, including AI-driven systems, cooperation and vigilance across management, security, surveillance, and regulatory teams become essential. This session …
    1024
    Federal digital asset legislation is moving quickly, with the CLARITY and GENIUS Acts poised to reshape oversight of event contracts and stablecoin infrastructure. While neither bill targets gaming di …
    22
    Join the NIGC Leadership team for an in-depth discussion covering the latest agency updates, common violations of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), and other emerging issues affecting the indus …
    2
    Tribes considering interactive and land-based propositions face strategic decisions that require careful planning and operational readiness. This session outlines key considerations for preparing busi …
    1A & 1B
    We will provide a comprehensive overview of marketing and operational best practices specific to Native American gaming enterprises. Attendees will gain insights into strategic player development, loy …
    2
    Attendees will gain exclusive insights into how tribal casinos are leveraging partnerships with professional sports teams and event venues to create unforgettable fan experiences. They will discover h …
    3
    Effective vendor oversight is critical to maintaining operational integrity, regulatory compliance, and public trust in tribal gaming. This session examines best practices for evaluating, licensing, a …
    10
    Planning for casino development requires a long-term perspective that extends beyond immediate revenue goals. This session examines how tribal governments and gaming enterprises can align vision, land …
    2951
    How can casinos determine whether investments in customer service, marketing, and advertising are truly delivering results? By systematically gathering and analyzing player feedback. This session expl …
    23A
    Tribal Nations continue to advance renewable energy as a pathway to economic development, self-determination, and long-term community resilience. As federal priorities and political leadership shift, …
    23A
    Tribal utilities play a growing role in supporting energy reliability, cost control, and economic development across Indian Country. This introductory session explains why tribes establish utilities, …
    1A & 1B
    Tribes can expand the response beyond Indian Country by engaging states, attorneys general, regulators, and aligned industry and policy organizations. Identifying shared interests around consumer prot …
    1A & 1B
    Tribes must shift from reactive litigation to coordinated, forward-looking action. As prediction markets expand, waiting for courts or regulators to act increases risk and weakens leverage. Building u …
    1A & 1B
    Prediction markets are reshaping the legal definition of gambling by framing wagers on real-world events as financial instruments. By treating event-based contracts as derivatives rather than bets, th …
    1A & 1B
    Prediction markets moved from the margins into the center of national wagering debates by exploiting regulatory ambiguity. Platforms like Kalshi expanded as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission fa …
    1A & 1B
    Casinos have expanded beyond gaming to include hotels, dining, entertainment, and other amenities designed to attract and retain guests. Today, these ancillary facilities are expected to generate prof …
    1050
    Indian Country faces a critical election cycle in 2026, with significant implications for treaty rights, civil rights protections, and tribal representation. Native voting power has shifted outcomes i …
    4
    As marketing shifts toward data and personalization, tribal casinos face a key question: does precision come at the cost of reach? This panel examines why digital-first strategies do not always delive …
    22
    In this session you will hear from experienced Tribal Gaming regulators who will share industry best practices and process improvements they've made to their Environment, Public Health and Safety (EPH …
    3
    As gaming technologies evolve, tribal gaming commissions are increasingly tasked with regulating operators that fall outside traditional legal categories yet pose real wagering, consumer protection, a …
    2951
    This session will provide a comprehensive update on recent regulatory and compliance developments affecting accounting and taxation for Tribal Casinos. Key topics include: · An overview of GASB Statem …
    2951
    With a gaming floor of nearly 7,400 machines, ensuring game integrity is essential for regulatory compliance and public trust. Machine malfunctions can trigger player disputes, reputational harm, and …
    22
    Participants will learn how to avoid enforcement actions through compliance. The course will provide participants with an overview of the IGRA requirements and explain how non-compliance with one or m …
    1050
    With exclusive Tribal ownership of the Tennessee Hold'Em North American Championship, the primary goal of THETA  is to create a valuable new income resource that will grow exponentially with time, cre …
    4
    For smaller tribal casinos with limited hotel inventory, selling every room is not the goal — selling rooms to the right players is. This session explores how capacity-constrained casino hotels can us …
    3
    Tribal gaming leaders face growing pressure to balance compliance, technology, and long-term planning. Guided by the Seven Generations Principle, this session examines how regulatory and operational d …
    7B
    Smaller tribal casino markets face growing pressure to deliver compelling entertainment while managing limited budgets and regional demand. This session examines how tribes can develop affordable, hig …
    10
    Tribal casino development is being reshaped by new construction technologies, materials, and delivery methods. This session examines how innovation is improving efficiency, flexibility, and long-term …
    7A
    Concept:As the gaming and hospitality sectors evolve, Indian Country faces a unique opportunity to lead in deploying sovereign AI ecosystems - systems that respect tribal data ownership and governance …
    8
    Indigenous Nations, whether Tribes in the United States or First Nations in Canada, are sovereign governments. Their sovereignty includes the inherent authority to govern their lands, create laws, and …
    1024
    With sports betting thriving and iGaming gaining momentum, tribal gaming enterprises are well-positioned to lead through strategic compact negotiations and innovative partnerships. These digital chann …
    2
    Sports betting exchanges allow customers to wager against each other rather than against a sportsbook, creating a market where odds are set by supply and demand. This session explains how exchange wag …
    10
    Tariffs are reshaping costs for FF&E and construction well before impacts appear on budgets. This session offers practical insight into how current tariffs affect materials, furnishings, procurement, …
    1050
    Last year’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill advanced key tribal tax parity priorities, including extending tax credits to families adopting Native children through tribal courts and raising the …
    2951
    Gaming resorts are adapting to rapidly evolving technology that is reshaping operations and guest expectations. This session examines how contactless payments, kiosks, digital reservations, self-check …
    8
    Blockchain’s entry into gaming began with prediction markets that use cryptocurrency and smart contracts to wager on real-world outcomes. What started as a niche experiment has evolved into a full tec …
    2951
    Mobile is now a primary guest touchpoint, and operators are under pressure to use it to enhance service, reduce friction, and strengthen loyalty. Guests expect direct access to their stay details, ben …
    Speakers
    1A & 1B
    This panel examines how modern table game technology is reshaping the floor for tribal and Class II operators. Topics include innovations that attract new players, increase game efficiency, reduce lab …
    2951
    This session showcases how automated technologies are transforming event centers and pool areas into flexible, multipurpose casino assets. By optimizing square footage, properties increase foot traffi …
    7A
    As tribal gaming navigates AI, data analytics, and digital engagement, the biggest hurdle to progress isn't typically the technology itself… it’s how organizations prepare their teams to champion thes …
    7A
    Class II is a cornerstone of Indian gaming’s success, yet new online commercial products now mimic its functionality and challenge tribal exclusivity in multiple markets. At the same time, Class II on …
    2951
    Tribal gaming internal audits are becoming more complex as compliance expectations grow and cybersecurity and fraud risks evolve. Historically, auditors have relied on sampling, checklists, and retros …
    4
    The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and debate around the casino media mix has grown. Some view traditional channels as outdated and costly. Others see them as proven, reliable drivers of tr …
    2951
    Operational consistency is one of the most significant challenges—and greatest opportunities—facing tribal casino operations today. With multiple shifts, high employee turnover, evolving games, and in …
    7B
    Training the next generation of tribal leaders is essential, not just in the gaming industry or the gaming side of the enterprise; rather, across the enterprise, giving the next generation the skills …
    7B
    With Mobile Class II, iCasino and online sportsbook either here or coming, learn how to get started with your Casino App. Casinos now have the ability to launch world class Apps that are consistent wi …
    23A
    Track: Economic Development / Energy   Tribal Nations are exploring data centers as a new economic development opportunity—one that can complement existing gaming operations when paired with on-site p …
    10
    NCAI defines workforce development as targeted education, training, and support that equip Native people with skills, credentials, and opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency and strengthen their co …
    7A
    In the casino industry, installing new technology is often seen as the finish line—but in reality, it’s just the beginning. Whether it’s a new CMS, loyalty platform, digital signage system, mobile app …
    2951
    Slot performance in 2026 is being shaped by a combination of player behavior trends, data-driven floor management, and technological innovation. Senior executives will explore the high-level drivers b …
    8
    Prediction markets may be labeled as derivatives, but gambling is occurring within tribal and state jurisdictions. When that happens, tribal regulators cannot remain passive. This session argues that …
    1024
    Prediction markets are expanding under CFTC oversight, with critics arguing the agency is favoring event-based trading platforms over established gaming frameworks. When regulatory neutrality is quest …
    2
    Wisconsin’s hub and spoke model offers a practical framework for expanding sports betting while respecting tribal control and existing gaming agreements. Built on a regulatory framework supported by m …
    2951
    With labor markets remaining tight, casinos are shifting from competing for talent to developing it internally. This session examines how workforce partnerships, training programs, and career pathways …