Ernie Stevens Jr, IGA chair and tribal gaming advocate, dies

Ernie Stevens Jr, a titan of the tribal gaming industry and longtime chairman of the Indian Gaming Association (IGA), died on Friday.

IGA conference chair Victor Rocha confirmed the news on X. No other details were immediately available.

Stevens, 66, was in his 13th term as IGA chairman, having been reelected again at the association’s Indian Gaming Tradeshow in April. He was first appointed to the role in 2000. During his tenure, the US tribal gaming industry grew exponentially, with revenue ballooning from $11 billion in 2000 to over $49 billion in 2024.

IGA recently hosted its mid-year conference from 8-10 September at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota. Stevens reportedly attended the conference as usual.

Prior to his tenure with the IGA, Stevens was a councilman for the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin, of which he was an enrolled member. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, their five children and 15 grandchildren.

Stevens Jr a staunch advocate for Indian Country

For decades, Stevens served as one of the biggest advocates for tribal gaming and issues impacting Indian Country.

He represented Native American interests in Washington DC and was a proud advocate for tribal gaming around the world. At the inaugural ICE Barcelona conference in February, Stevens gave an impassioned presentation about how US tribes are “open for business” and have grown to rival any commercial competitors.

Stevens’ devotion to tribal causes was influenced in part by his father’s legacy. Ernest Stevens Sr was a Marine Corps veteran in the Korean War who went on to become an prominent Native rights activist in the 1960s and 1970s.

“My father, Ernie Stevens Sr, embodied more than just a paternal figure to me,” the younger Stevens said upon the elder’s passing in 2024. “He stood as a hero, a guiding light and a symbol of resilience for many individuals. His profound wisdom provided solace and direction, while his deeds ignited motivation among those in his circles.”  

A former athlete, Stevens was a confident speaker with a booming voice that was unmistakable among industry crowds.

Replacing longtime chair at a crucial time

IGA is now tasked with replacing its longest-serving chair as it looks to navigate a critical period for tribal gaming.

Stevens was at the forefront of tribal issues, and often took a measured stance that stressed the importance of ensuring tribal sovereignty while remaining prudent and calm when making decisions.

“If you start throwing haymakers, that’s how you get knocked out,” he said on a February IGA webinar. “But you gotta throw something.”