Tribal and regional gaming to come under GiGse spotlight

Tribal and regional gaming will play a central role at GiGse next month in San Francisco, California, with numerous tribes having already signed up for the event.

GiGse is supported by the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) and organisers of GiGse will attend NIGA’s Indian Gaming Trade Show in San Diego later this month to cement the relationship and promote next month’s event, which will take place at San Francisco’s Hyatt Regency from April 20-22.

Pechanga, Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians, Morongo Band of Mission Indians, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Osage, Pala, San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino, Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation, Pascua Yaqui Tribe, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and Rincon Band have already confirmed their participation at GiGse.

The event has also been enjoying the support of the influential Pechanga.net. Victor Rocha, the editor and owner of this widely read news portal and the 2015 recipient of the prestigious Tribal Gaming Visionary Award by National Centre for American Indian Enterprise Development, said: “Pechanga.net has supported GiGse since its re-launch in 2010 because the event truly cares about the needs of the tribes and addresses them every year in its programme.

“The influence of tribal organisations is huge, and GiGse recognises it. In 2015 again the tribes will provide a valuable perspective about the state of the gaming market in California and beyond.”

To create a more engaging environment conducive to intimate, free-flowing conversations that inspire consensus, GiGse this year will offer an Open Space session designed to demonstrate to tribes and regional casinos how they can enter the online channel while safeguarding their land-based revenue. That session will take place at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco on April 21, the second day of the three-day event.

“On Premise, Class II mobile gambling is the next frontier for tribal gaming,” Koolbit CEO Gerard Cunningham said. An expert in social and mobile gaming, Cunningham is one of the thought-leaders confirmed to share his views on how tribes can get involved in the iGaming market during the Open Space session.

Valerie Spicer from the Arizona Indian Gaming Association, another Open Space thought-leader, said: “I found that the engagement and interaction of the Open Space concept was what has been missing in the many conferences I attend.”