At this year’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, tribal leaders and industry insiders were clear: unregulated online sweepstakes casinos are putting tribal sovereignty and exclusivity at risk, and they’re doing it in plain sight.
In a packed panel session, speakers called out offshore sweepstakes platforms that continue to operate without licenses, sidestep U.S. gambling laws, and chip away at the economic base tribal gaming was built on.
James Siva, chair of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, emphasized that the rapid growth of these platforms in recent years has made them a high-priority issue for tribal leaders — especially in states like California, where tribes have long held exclusive rights to operate gaming.
Who’s Speaking and Why It Matters
Moderated by Dustin Gouker of Closing Line Consulting, the panel brought together some of the most influential voices in tribal and commercial gaming policy:
- James Siva, Chairman of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA)
- Tres York, VP of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association (AGA)
- Scott Crowell, longtime tribal gaming attorney and founder of Crowell Law Office
- Howard Glaser, Global Head of Government Affairs at Light & Wonder
Their discussion centered on the growing reach of unregulated sweepstakes casinos, and the uneven playing field they’ve created. These platforms, often operating offshore, rely on legal technicalities to offer real-money-style games without following the same rules as licensed operators.
Panelists described how these businesses avoid taxes, ignore state regulations, and contribute nothing to the tribal communities they’re pulling players from.
Howard Glaser noted that aside from being unfair, these platforms are also risky — raising big questions about where the money goes, who’s responsible, and why regulators haven’t stepped in.
Billions at Risk and Tribes Are Taking the Hit
Panelists were quick to stress that this isn’t just a legal headache, it’s a full-blown economic threat. Offshore sweepstakes casinos are siphoning real dollars away from sovereign tribal operations that rely on gaming revenue to fund everything from healthcare to education.
Unlike tribal casinos, which operate under rigorous state compacts, licensing rules, and compliance checks, these unregulated platforms mimic real casino play with none of the accountability. They use lookalike games, aggressive marketing, and cash prize systems to lure players, often from the exact communities tribal casinos serve.
And the biggest frustration is that they’re not even hiding. Many of these sites are openly accessible in states with clear gambling laws, but because of how they’re structured, they fly under enforcement radar.
California Under Fire
States like Virginia, Connecticut, and Michigan have already begun taking action against sweepstakes casinos, issuing cease-and-desist letters to operators offering unlicensed play. But on the IGA panel, California’s silence stood out, especially given the size and influence of its tribal gaming sector.
Howard Glaser noted that, despite the clear threat these platforms pose, California has yet to make a significant enforcement move. He pointed out that with so much tribal revenue at stake, continued inaction could carry long-term consequences.
California is home to one of the largest and most politically active tribal gaming industries in the country, and for many tribal leaders, that makes the lack of response even more frustrating.
James Siva warned that without enforcement, these platforms are quietly gaining traction — pulling in players, building brand recognition, and legitimizing themselves in spaces where they simply don’t belong.
The message from the panel was direct: California can’t afford to stay on the sidelines much longer.
Enough Talk. It’s Time to Act
This wasn’t just a panel about policy, it was a call to action.
Tres York, VP of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association, emphasized that enforcement can’t be optional anymore. While some states have started taking steps, others are still hesitating, and that’s giving unregulated operators more room to grow.
York urged regulators and state attorneys general to take a firmer stance. If cease-and-desist letters aren’t enough, he said, it may be time to take these companies to court.
The message from the panel couldn’t have been clearer: the time for warnings is running out, and real legal consequences are next.
The Bigger Picture
Unregulated sweepstakes platforms aren’t just a tribal issue, they’ve become a nationwide flashpoint. In recent months, lawmakers in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, and Louisiana have introduced bills to ban or regulate the sweepstakes model, many of them citing consumer protection, legal clarity, and enforcement gaps.
But for tribal leaders, the stakes are even higher. This isn’t just about market share — it’s about sovereignty, legal integrity, and protecting the future of tribal gaming, which supports vital services in Native communities across the U.S.
Panelists agreed that letting unregulated platforms continue unchecked doesn’t just threaten revenue, it threatens the entire structure that tribal gaming was built on.
What Happens Now?
As sweepstakes platforms continue to grow and rake in profits, tribal gaming leaders are making it clear that they want enforcement, and they want it now.
Some states are moving. Others are dragging their feet. But with billions at stake and sovereignty on the line, this fight is far from over.
The warning from IGA? If regulators don’t move, tribes will, and they’re ready to take the gloves off.