Ernie Stevens Jr., Titan of US Tribal Gaming and Longtime IGA Chairman, Passes Away at 66
By Liam O'Brien · Contributor2 min read
- Ernie Stevens Jr., the long-serving and hugely influential chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), has passed away at the age of 66.
- First appointed in 2000, Stevens served for over two decades as IGA chairman, becoming a titan of the US tribal gaming sector.
- During his tenure, the Indian gaming industry grew exponentially, with annual revenues soaring from $11 billion in 2000 to over $49 billion in 2024.
- An enrolled member of the Oneida Nation, Ernie Stevens Jr. was a staunch and powerful advocate for tribal sovereignty and economic development in Washington D.C.
- His passing leaves a massive leadership void in the US tribal gaming industry at a critical time.
A Titan of Tribal Gaming Passes
London, UK - 28th September 2025 - Ernie Stevens Jr., the formidable and iconic chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) and one of the most important figures in the history of US tribal gaming, passed away on Friday. He was 66 years old.
The news, which has sent shockwaves through the global gaming industry, was confirmed by IGA conference chair Victor Rocha. As chairman of the IGA since 2000, Stevens was the primary voice and chief advocate for the tribal gaming industry for more than two decades.
A Legacy of Unprecedented Growth
The impact of Ernie Stevens Jr.’s leadership on the Indian gaming industry is impossible to overstate. When he first became IGA chairman in 2000, the sector generated approximately $11 billion in annual revenue. Under his steady and determined leadership, tribal gaming transformed into a national economic powerhouse.
By 2024, the annual revenue of the US tribal gaming industry had ballooned to over $49 billion. He presided over an era of unprecedented growth and professionalisation that saw tribal operations become major players, rivalling their commercial competitors in scale and sophistication.
A Staunch Advocate for Indian Country
An enrolled member of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin, Ernie Stevens Jr. was a tireless and effective advocate for tribal sovereignty and the economic rights of Native American communities. He was a constant and powerful presence in Washington D.C., representing the interests of “Indian Country” to lawmakers and presidents from both political parties.
His devotion to these causes was deeply personal, influenced by his father, Ernest Stevens Sr., who was a prominent Native rights activist. “ He stood as a hero, a guiding light and a symbol of resilience for many individuals,” the younger Stevens said of his father in 2024.
A Void in Leadership
The passing of Ernie Stevens Jr. leaves an enormous void at the top of the Indian Gaming Association and the broader tribal gaming world. Known for his booming voice, confident presence, and measured approach, he successfully navigated countless political and regulatory challenges.
“ If you start throwing haymakers, that’s how you get knocked out,” he once said, describing his pragmatic approach to political negotiation. “ But you gotta throw something.” The IGA is now faced with the immense task of replacing its longest-serving and most iconic leader at a crucial moment for the industry he helped to build.
