13th Annual Western Indian Gaming Conference Begins Today

The California Nations Indian Gaming Association, of which the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians are members of, will hold their 13th annual conference at the Palm Springs Convention Center beginning today.

PRESS RELEASE
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Thirteenth Annual WIGC to Focus on Cutting Edge Issues

Sacramento, CA - January 31, 2008
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Gaming regulation, political forecasts, economic diversification and the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) will be among the issues discussed at the 13th annual Western Indian Gaming Conference (WIGC), February 12-14, at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

The event is produced by the California Nations Indian Gaming Association, a non-profit association of federally recognized tribal governments dedicated to the protection of tribal sovereignty and the right of tribes to have gaming on Indian lands. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians is the title sponsor of the conference.

Exhibits featuring the latest gaming industry technology will be on display for tribal leaders and gaming professionals. More than 100 exhibitors are expected to participate in this year’s event.

Seminars will focus on many cutting edge issues surrounding tribal government gaming. CNIGA Chairman Anthony Miranda will deliver the 5th annual “State of the Tribal Nations” address Wednesday morning, February 13.

Immediately following the address, CNIGA past and present Chairpersons will, for the first time in the history of the association, convene on one stage to discuss their experience with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act which was approved by the United States Congress twenty years ago.

Additional seminars will include topics relating to the Internal Revenue Service Secrecy Act, employee background checks, financial audits, employee insurance benefits, problem and pathological gambling, a panel discussion given by the National Indian Gaming Commission, Interior’s new commutable distance test for off reservation gaming and the Washington DC and Sacramento political forecasts for 2008.

Panelists for the political report will include local Senator Jim Battin (La Quinta) and Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia (Cathedral City) and Chair of the Senate Governmental Organization Committee, Senator Dean Florez (Shafter) as well as Ernie Stevens, Chairman of the National Indian Gaming Association.

The Palm Springs Convention Center is located at 277 North Avenida Caballeros, Palm Springs, CA. Members of the press should check in at the registration counters to obtain press credentials. Individuals wishing to attend the conference may register on-site on Wednesday, February 12 & Thursday, February 13.

Contact:
Susan Jensen
916-448-8706 or cell 916-769-5522

Source:
http://www.cniga.com/media/pressrelease_detail.php?id=93