IGA Chairman David Z. Bean Urges Unity at Tlingit & Haida Tribal Assembly Keynote

Indian Gaming Association Chairman David Z. Bean delivered the keynote address at the 91st Annual Tribal Assembly of the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska in Juneau on September 23, 2026. Bean highlighted the Tribe’s successful launch of Two Coppers Casino and called on Tribal Nations to act together to protect their right to govern and regulate gaming under federal law.

Two Coppers Casino: A Milestone in Tribal Economic Self-Determination

Bean recognized the opening of Two Coppers Casino as a direct demonstration of tribal sovereignty and self-determination. He credited President Richard J. Peterson, the Executive Council, the dedicated casino project team, and Tlingit & Haida citizens for delivering the project after years of planning, partnership, and leadership.

“It reflects years of planning, partnership, perseverance, and careful leadership,” Bean stated, emphasizing the casino’s role as a clear exercise of economic self-determination.

Bean noted that such developments not only provide jobs and opportunities for Native-owned businesses but also generate revenue for tribal priorities, including health care, housing, education, and cultural programming. According to Bean, the success of a tribal gaming enterprise is defined by the needs and goals of the Nation it serves.

IGA Chairman: Tribal Government Gaming Has a Public Purpose

In his address, Bean outlined that tribal government gaming is fundamentally different from commercial gaming. Tribal casinos are established and regulated by tribal governments to fund essential services. Bean cited examples where gaming revenues contributed directly to improving health, housing, and education, aligning with public purpose mandates.

He reiterated that every tribal nation must set its benchmarks for success, grounded in its community’s aspirations and requirements.

Indian Gaming Industry Performance and Emerging Challenges

Bean’s national update reported that gross gaming revenue across Indian gaming operations reached $46.2 billion for FY2025, a 5.3% increase ($2.3 billion) from the previous fiscal year.

As the industry grows, Bean warned about emerging threats to regulated tribal gaming, including the rise of online sweepstakes and prediction market platforms. The Indian Gaming Association sees these products as a challenge to the integrity of tribal government gaming and its regulatory framework. Protecting the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and maintaining robust tribal regulatory jurisdiction remain top IGA advocacy priorities.

Focus Keyword: Tribal Government Gaming — Calls for Unity and Advocacy

Bean used the forum to remind delegates that defending tribal sovereignty is a collective responsibility. He emphasized the importance of intertribal cooperation, urging that “No tribal nation should have to defend its rights alone.” Bean linked unity and ancestral strength to the ongoing work of Tribal government gaming, referencing the Assembly’s theme and the legacy of leaders like former IGA Chairman Ernest L. Stevens, Jr.

“Unbreakable unity means tribal nations stand together while respecting each nation’s authority and unique path,” Bean told the audience.

Bean closed by reaffirming the Indian Gaming Association’s commitment to partnership as Tlingit & Haida develops Two Coppers Casino, stressing the need for effective governance, continued growth, and preparing the next generation for leadership in tribal gaming.

Looking Ahead for Tribal Government Gaming in Alaska and Beyond

With Two Coppers Casino now operational, the Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska joins a growing number of U.S. Tribes leveraging government gaming as an economic engine. The Assembly highlighted the need for regulatory vigilance as new market threats and policy issues—such as online sweepstakes—emerge.

Engagement from organisations like the Indian Gaming Association will remain central to defending tribal gaming sovereignty and economic development across the sector. Further developments and national trends in casino and regulation will continue to shape the landscape for tribal government gaming in Alaska and throughout Indian Country.