The National Indian Gaming Commission has been without a chairperson since January 2025, and President Donald Trump has yet to nominate one. Under federal law the agency's main oversight powers sit with the chair, so the three-member commission cannot use them while the seat stays empty.
Without a chair, the NIGC cannot certify management agreements with casino operators, approve new tribal gaming ordinances, issue certain sanctions or close facilities in an emergency.
Iowa Tribe waits
The Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma is already caught by it. Its Harrah's-branded casino in Chandler opened in April, but the management agreement handing operations to the Harrah's parent cannot be approved. The 175,000-square-foot property runs on tribal administration, which also handles budgets and social programmes. 'It's disheartening. We pay fees and don't get full service,' said Jacob Keyes, the tribe's chief. On opening day the casino hit capacity, with cars queued beyond the grounds.
About 250 tribal governments in 29 states run 545 gaming properties. Casino revenue goes to healthcare, housing and education. Tribal gaming took in nearly $46 billion in 2025, three times Nevada's annual casino revenue. The commission's last enforcement decision came on 12 January, the day Sharon Avery's term as acting chair expired. The agency normally issues dozens of sanctions a year, for operating without a licence, missing reporting and misuse of funds.
Prediction markets
The vacancy has coincided with rising tension between tribes and prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. At least eight tribes have sued, accusing the platforms of taking bets on tribal land and in states where tribes hold exclusive gaming rights. The operators say they offer futures trading, not gambling. Tribal leaders see a threat to revenue and to sovereignty.
James Siva, head of the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, questioned whether the vacancy is tied to the administration's support for prediction markets and its business ties to them. In April Trump appointed Billy Kirkland, an assistant secretary for Indian affairs and a Navajo Nation citizen, to the commission, which raised questions about the agency's independence.
