The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) joined tribal leaders, entrepreneurs, and partners from across Indian Country at the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development’s (NCAIED) RES 2026 Conference in Las Vegas to honor the life and legacy of Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., a longtime NCAIED Board Member and unwavering advocate for tribal economic development.

Chairman Stevens’s presence was deeply felt throughout the conference, where his decades of leadership helped shape the foundation for Native enterprise development and strengthened the connection between tribal government gaming and economic opportunity across Indian Country.

“Chairman Stevens believed that when tribal economies grow, our people thrive. He carried a vision that connected business development, sovereignty, and community. That vision is alive today at RES, where leaders and entrepreneurs are building stronger futures for our nation,” said IGA Chairman David Z. Bean.

Stevens served more than 25 years on the NCAIED Board, continuing a legacy rooted in family and service to Indian Country. His leadership reflected a deep commitment to doing what is right, uplifting communities, and ensuring that tribal economies remain strong for future generations.

During RES 2026, NCAIED Board Member Margo Gray offered a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on both the personal and professional impact Chairman Stevens had on those around him.

“As I looked around the room, I could still see Ernie. He would be moving the placards around, making sure everyone was where they needed to be. That was who he was. We were not just colleagues; we were like brother and sister,” said Gray.

Gray spoke to the sense of loss felt across the community, while also emphasizing the responsibility to carry forward his work.

“There was a shift. It felt different, it felt like something was missing. But in that moment, we knew we had to carry on. That is what he would expect of us,” Gray shared.

She also reflected on Stevens’ deep pride in his family and his roots in Indian Country, which shaped his leadership and lifelong commitment to service.

“He was proud of his family, proud of where he came from, and proud to serve our people. He believed in doing what is right and what is just, and he carried that with him every day,” Gray said.

Gray closed by reinforcing the importance of continuing Stevens’ legacy through action and unity.

“As we move forward, we do this work grounded in community, supporting our lands and our people. That is how we honor him,” she said.

Throughout RES 2026, participants are continuing Chairman Stevens’ vision by advancing Native-owned businesses, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring that tribal economic development remains a cornerstone of sovereignty and self-determination.

“Ernie’s legacy is not behind us; it is in front of us. We will continue to protect tribal sovereignty and strengthen tribal government gaming as a driver of opportunity, just as he dedicated his life to doing,” Chairman Bean added.

The Indian Gaming Association stands alongside NCAIED and tribal leaders nationwide in honoring Chairman Stevens’ life, leadership, and lasting contributions to Indian Country.

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) will honor Eddie Leon Tullis, former Tribal Chairman of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, as the recipient of the 2026 Rick Hill–Tim Wapato Sovereign Warrior Award during the Sovereign Warrior Celebration Luncheon, which honors the legacy of tribal leaders advocating for sovereignty. This event will take place at the Chairman’s Leadership Luncheon on Tuesday, April 1, 2026, from 12:30 to 2:00 PM at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention at the San Diego Convention Center in California.

This signature luncheon gathers tribal leaders, industry partners, and honored guests for an impactful program that combines recognition, remembrance, and celebration of leadership throughout Indian Country.

“Eddie Tullis represents the very spirit of a Sovereign Warrior. His leadership secured federal recognition for his Tribe, his vision created opportunity for future generations, and his lifelong commitment to sovereignty has strengthened Indian Country as a whole. We are proud to honor him in front of tribal leaders from across the nation,” said Chairman Bean.

Chairman Bean added: “This luncheon is not only about recognition, but it is also about reflection. As we honor leaders like Eddie Tullis, we also remember those we have lost and recommit ourselves to the responsibility of protecting tribal sovereignty for generations to come.”

Eddie Leon Tullis is one of the most influential leaders in the history of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Indian Country. Born in 1938 in Mobile, Alabama, he served in the United States Navy before building a 35-year career at Monsanto.

Following the passing of Chief Calvin McGhee, Tullis stepped into leadership in the early 1970s and went on to serve as Tribal Chairman and CEO for 27 years, as well as more than four decades on the Tribal Council. He led the successful effort to secure federal recognition for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians in 1984, making it the only federally recognized tribe in Alabama.

Under his leadership, the Tribe established its modern government and launched its first gaming enterprises, creating a strong economic foundation that continues to support its people today. Tullis also served in national leadership roles, including as Chairman of the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, and has been widely recognized for his lifelong commitment to youth and community development.

The Chairman’s Leadership Luncheon and Sovereign Warrior Celebration remains one of the most meaningful gatherings of the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, honoring the leaders who have paved the way for tribal sovereignty, economic self-sufficiency, and the continued success of Indian gaming.

Below is a joint letter from the American Gaming Association and Indian Gaming Association on addressing unregulated sports event contracts in upcoming cryptocurrency market structure legislation.

Dear Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives,

On behalf of the American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), we write to urge timely congressional action to address the explosion of unregulated sports event contracts being offered by prediction markets. Since these contracts, that are indistinguishable from legal sports betting, were launched last January, they have grown exponentially in trading volume and have expanded beyond the outcome of single games to include complex parlays and even potential wagers on the collegiate transfer portal. This growth has occurred by exploiting regulatory inaction by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), which undermines state law and tribal sovereignty and flies in the face of existing federal laws and regulation intended to protect consumers and the integrity of our nation’s financial markets. We firmly believe that congressional consideration of cryptocurrency market structure legislation provides an important, bipartisan opportunity to prevent sports betting and casino gambling under the guise of “event contracts.”

Together, our associations represent the legal regulated gaming industry in the United States that generates $329 billion in annual economic impact, produces $53 billion in tax revenue, and supports 1.8 million jobs. As one of the most highly regulated industries in the United States, licensed gaming operators work with more than 8,400 state and tribal regulators across the country to ensure our industry has transparency, integrity, strict consumer safeguards and responsible gaming practices. It’s a proven framework that ensures local control and protects players and the public while delivering billions of dollars in community benefits.

For decades, we have followed a uniquely American approach to gaming – an approach that has been the foundation of our success. This system gives the people a voice on whether and how to allow gaming, which creates a social contract between states, tribes and our industry: when we earn the privilege to enter your community, we deliver benefits in return.

In 2018, the Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act and ruled that states have the right to determine whether to legalize sports betting. Since then, 39 states and the District of Columbia have done so, which in many jurisdictions has included close coordination with tribal authorities. Where sports betting has been legalized, states and tribes have set strict guardrails to ensure strong protections such as:

• Minimum betting ages (21+ in most jurisdictions)

• Licensing and suitability requirements for operators

• Anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols

• Mandatory responsible gaming resources, including self-exclusion programs

• Independent integrity monitoring and compliance audits

In contrast, several CFTC registered prediction market platforms have made self-certified event contracts available to anyone 18 and over, in all 50 states, circumventing state and tribal gaming laws and denying states and tribes hundreds of millions of dollars of critically needed revenue for schools, roads and first responders. The CFTC has not reviewed or approved any of these contracts as more entities enter the market, and their offerings get more audacious.

The CFTC’s own regulations – adopted pursuant to the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) – prohibit event contracts regarding terrorism, assassination, war, gaming, or an activity that is unlawful under any State or Federal law. According to 39 state Attorneys General, these contracts are contrary to their state laws. They violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) that gives tribes exclusivity to offer gaming products on their land. Sports event contracts also violate the federal Wire Act that makes it illegal to offer sports wagers across state lines.

And while the gaming industry has focused our efforts on stopping unregulated sports wagering, we have seen a troubling proliferation of other concerning betting categories that seek to capitalize on tragedy, invite manipulation, and undermine public trust. Most recently, questions and concerns have been raised regarding contracts tied to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and ongoing armed conflicts abroad – categories that would never be permitted under state or tribal law.

These contracts are being offered in flagrant disregard of state laws, tribal sovereignty, the Commodity Exchange Act, and CFTC regulations. They mislead consumers into believing that a sports bet is an investment, fail to protect the young and the vulnerable, open the door to money laundering, match fixing and insider trading. They rob state budgets and tribal finances while simultaneously forcing states and tribes to expend massive legal resources to defend their sovereignty.

During his confirmation hearing, Chairman Selig made it clear that the CFTC would not rein in sports betting contracts under his leadership, instead deferring to the outcome of litigation that could take years to be fully resolved. However, Mr. Selig also said that the CFTC would follow Congress if they were to step in and speak on these contracts. Therefore, it is critical that Congress act swiftly to include legislative language in the cryptocurrency market structure legislation that reenforces existing law and prohibits gaming through CFTC-registered platforms. We stand ready to work with you on this issue and appreciate your consideration.

Sincerely,

Bill Miller

President & CEO

American Gaming Association

David Z. Bean

Chairman

Indian Gaming Association