Pueblo of Laguna Becomes First Tribe to Join National Association Against iGaming

New Mexico’s Pueblo of Laguna tribe has firmly opposed online gambling and has become the first tribal entity to join the National Association Against iGaming. While the state doesn’t permit online casino games, local casinos have continued to face ever-growing competition from offshore operators.

The Tribe Says iGaming Threatens Its Community

While the popularity of online casino gaming has skyrocketed since the pandemic, most US states remain reluctant about legalizing the vertical. Despite the stellar financial performance of online casinos in the few states where they are allowed, many fear that the vertical could cannibalize land-based gaming and lead to more gambling harm.

These concerns have been echoed by the Pueblo of Laguna whose members suggested that online casinos threaten their livelihoods.

For context, the tribe operates several gaming venues in the state, providing jobs to some 1,000 people. Tribe officials believe that iGaming is poised to cannibalize the revenues of its casinos, potentially hurting the people who depend on them.

Maxine Velasquez, president and chief executive officer of Laguna Development Corp, explained:

iGaming poses a threat to more than just our revenue. It threatens the very foundation of tribal economic development that empowers our communities.

Maxine Velasquez, president & CEO, Laguna Development Corp

Velasquez added that the tribe’s success is measured in its ability to help its community, which is why the tribe has joined the National Association Against iGaming.

The Tribe Brings an “Authentic Voice” to the War on iGaming

The National Association Against iGaming, an organization that echoes people’s concerns about the dangers posed by the encroaching online gambling. While most states prohibit online casinos, unlicensed operators have got increasingly creative in circumventing the law, opponents of the sector argued.

For example, the tribal gaming sector has previously expressed serious concerns about the growth of the sweepstakes sector and the rise of prediction markets, arguing that both products constitute illegal gambling.

National Association Against iGaming board member Mark Stewart, who is also EVP and general counsel of The Cordish Companies, welcomed the Pueblo of Laguna on board, saying that this marks a “historic milestone” for the organization.

He said: “As the first Native American operator to join us, LDC brings a vital and authentic voice to this fight, one that understands firsthand how iGaming threatens more than jobs and revenue.”