IGA advocacy for Tribal sovereignty against CLARITY Act

The Indian Gaming Association (IGA) has initiated efforts to protect Tribal sovereignty and gaming rights against emerging regulatory threats. Initially, IGA leadership conducted outreach to California Tribal leaders to discuss legislative advocacy and organizational priorities, specifically targeting the rise of prediction markets that offer sports betting and casino-style gambling.

This advocacy has transitioned into formal opposition to the revised Digital Asset Market Clarity Act (CLARITY Act) in the United States Senate. The IGA argues that the legislation, which includes over 114 recent changes, lacks sufficient safeguards for the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Chairman David Z. Bean expressed concern that the bill could allow prediction market operators to bypass Tribal and state regulations by operating under federal commodities law.

Following the release of a final draft by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis, John Boozman, and Tim Scott, the IGA continues to call for the Senate to reject the bill. While the revised legislation introduces new ethics restrictions for federal officials and clarifies jurisdictional boundaries between the SEC and the CFTC, the IGA maintains that it fails to adequately protect Tribal sovereignty. A central concern remains that expanding the authority of the CFTC could allow prediction market operators to offer sports betting and casino-style gambling under federal commodities law, effectively bypassing existing Tribal and state gaming regulations.