A record number of attendees – roughly 3,000 – are expected to have attended this year’s Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association conference, held at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa on Aug. 9-11. (Courtesy photo/OIGA)
When the 2022 Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association conference in Tulsa wrapped up on Thursday, the final number of attendees had not yet been tallied. But it was a lot, according to OIGA spokesperson Christine Eddington.
“It’s too early to say definitively, but we believe we may be hitting a record – we’ll know tomorrow,” Eddington said. “We’re closing in on 3,000 attendees.”
The crowd this year is roughly twice the size of last year’s conference, Eddington said. Held Aug. 9-11 at the Cox Business Center in Tulsa, the conference organizers refer to as the “biggest little show in Indian gaming” brought together tribal leaders, casino gaming operators and managers, regulators, vendors and workers in all aspects of Indian gaming.
In addition to hosting more than 130 exhibitors, the conference also featured an extensive education component. Panels and experts shared gaming best practices, industry analysis, an update on sports betting and more.
“I think people are ready to get back out and do business, similar to how it was before COVID,” Eddington said. “This year, people were ready to get back together. This show is unique because it’s very much like a family reunion – people were just really, really happy to see one another. It’s been great.”
The OIGA’s most recent economic impact report, issued in 2016, found Indian gaming generated an economic impact of $7.2 billion each year from operations and construction, with 60% of that economic activity occurring in rural areas.
That number has increased substantially over the last few years, according to recent data from the American Gaming Association. The AGA estimates the 138 casinos in Oklahoma generate an economic impact of $9.8 billion, supporting 75,885 jobs.
“Tribal gaming demonstrated its responsible leadership throughout the pandemic and these record results reflect that commitment,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said. “The full recovery and ongoing success of tribal casinos goes well beyond the casino floor to support vibrant communities across the country.”
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August 12, 2022 at 08:16AM
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Indian gaming conference draws big crowd to Tulsa - Journal Record
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