NIGA Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr. (Courtesy Stevens) 

In a letter to Tribal members this week, National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) leaders Ernie Stevens Jr., Jason Giles and Danielle Her Many Horses urged Tribes to advocate fiercely for Tribal gaming inclusion in the next COVID-19 federal relief package. 

READ MORE: Tribal Gaming Excluded From SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program 

Feds Set Aside COVID-19 Aid for Indian Country. But Does it Meet Tribes’ Needs? 

The entire gaming industry has effectively been shut down across the country, closing 500+ Tribal gaming facilities operated by 246 Tribes in 29 states.

During the first two weeks of closure alone, Meister Economic Consulting estimated significant losses directly at Tribal casinos: $1.5 billion in lost economic activity, 296,000 people out of work, $332 million in lost wages; and $240 million in lost taxes and revenue sharing received by federal, state, and local governments. Those numbers are rising as Tribal casinos remain temporarily shuttered to play their role in flattening the COVID-19 curve.

READ MORE: Report: Tribal Casino Closures Result in Loss of $4.4B in Economic Activity, 728K Jobs 

NIGA, which represents Tribal governments nationwide, is taking a stand against the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA) for preventing Tribal casinos access to critical funds available through the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP provides forgivable loans to businesses with fewer than 500 employees — but a clause prohibits Tribal casinos access to that money. “The National Indian Gaming Association condemns the SBA for its blatant disregard of the Congressional language in the Covid Relief Act. The SBA’s guidance fails to recognize the importance of the survival of Tribal Government Gaming for its citizens and non-tribal neighboring residents. We are working expeditiously to respond and urge the SBA to remove these restrictions to Tribal Government Gaming operations and will continue to update our Member Tribes on the status of our outreach,” NIGA responded. 

Now NIGA is urging Tribes to send a letter to Senators and Congressmen immediately, because the next wave of COVID-19/CARES Act legislation is under consideration now. Download that letter to Senate & Congress here.

READ MORE: CARES Act to Deliver $10B to Indian Country, Previous Funds Yet to Reach Tribes

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