The National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) announced the launch of its Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) this week. The council comprises leaders from nine different tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal gaming facilities nationally.
The council will focus its efforts on increasing “awareness and respect for Native cultures as they relate to all facets of gambling,” the NCPG said. Keith Whyte, the NCPG’s executive director, deemed the new project “exciting”.
“Our work with tribes is based on a deep respect for Tribal sovereignty and our core values of neutrality, collaboration, respect and credibility.
We have a responsibility to listen and learn, as well as the opportunity to share our knowledge as we seek to reduce the social costs of gambling addiction and improve health and wellness in all communities.”
Key takeaways
- The National Council on Problem Gambling announced the launch of the Tribal Advisory Council.
- The council is made up of leaders representing nine tribal gaming entities.
- Council members were scheduled to participate in workshops at the NCPG’s national conference in San Diego this past weekend.
National conference workshops serve as first steps
Wasting no time, members of the TAC were to join in on a pair of responsible gambling workshops at the NCPG’s National Conference on Gambling Addiction and Responsible Gambling 2024 in San Diego this past weekend:
- “Truth and Rehabilitation: Recognizing and Addressing Historical Trauma in Tribal Communities Through Rehabilitation”: The session focused on teaching attendees “examples of truth and reconciliation initiatives from around the world to begin your journey of understanding how to work with Tribal communities.”
- Perspectives and Advancements in Tribal Responsible Gaming: Slated to provide “firsthand accounts of how Tribal sovereignty intersects with the regulation, operation, and social impacts of gambling enterprises”.
As the TAC moves into the future, it will partner with the NCPG and two representatives from the Trilogy Group, a consultancy working with tribes in areas of government, business, economic development, and tribal gaming. The NCPG continues to generate ideas on how the gambling industry can support responsible gambling.
Valerie Spicer, the Trilogy Group’s CEO, said her organization applauded the NCPG’s formation of the TAC: “This work acknowledges the significance of Tribal Gaming in the gambling sector, the impacts of Tribal gaming on communities, and ways we can support finding balance in helping people heal from gambling-related harm respectfully amid the complexity.”
Tribal gaming revenue hits historic highs in 2023
The TAC comes at a season in tribal gaming history in which gaming revenue is booming. In fiscal year 2023, tribal gaming generated an all-time high of $41.9 billion in revenue, according to the National Indian Gaming Commission.
As tribal gaming continues to grow its presence in the United States through existing operations and future opportunities for sports betting and online casinos, awareness of and respect for federally recognized tribes will be paramount.