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2026 Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California
| | Attending IGA? Say hi to the CDC Gaming team at booth #2755. | | Day #4 - Thursday, April 2 | | |
Digital wallets and rethinking the slot experience in the cashless casino
Panel moderator Noah Acres from Acres Technology kicked off an afternoon panel at the IGA conference and trade show on digital wallets by mentioning that when he told his Uber driver on the way to convention that he was speaking on cashless gaming, she asked him, “Are you guys still working on that?” That pretty much summarizes the view that many operators have about the subject. Everyone can appreciate the benefits of eliminating cash, tickets, impress banks, and change booths, not to mention the possible reductions in labor costs.
Read more: Buddy Frank, CDC Gaming
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FABICash rocks the show floor
FABICash is gearing up for a strong 2026 as they continue to make a splash at the Indian Gaming Tradeshow and Convention with its new FABILoyalty Enrollment and Promo Kiosk, all-in-one TITO FABIKiosk, cashless eWallet, FABI Cage Dispenser, FABITable Game TITO Solution, FABITrack Title 31 AML Compliance program, Mobile Jackpot solution, Quick Chips, and so much more. The response to FABI’s products and services at IGA has been overwhelming in the best way. The New Orleans-based cash access company, with a manufacturing facility in Las Vegas, has products and services in more than 300 casinos in the U.S. and growing.…
Read more: CDC Gaming
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Everyone has an opinion about marketing — and sandwiches
At the Indian Gaming Tradeshow & Convention, Randi Topham, Chief of Staff & Head of Marketing, Gaming at Light & Wonder, moderated the panel “From Supplier to Operator: Turning Marketing into a Growth Engine,” guiding a conversation centered on how suppliers and operators work together to drive stronger launches, higher engagement, and more sustained performance. The discussion stayed grounded in how that collaboration actually happens — how messaging is aligned, data is used, and go-to-market strategies are built across both sides of the partnership. From the supplier side, Tashina Lazcano, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at Konami Gaming, spoke…
Read more: Hillary McAfee, CDC Gaming
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The limits and future potential of Class II gaming
The panelists on Tuesday’s seminar at the Indian Gaming Association Conference and Tradeshow in San Diego about the limits of Class II were all in agreement. Class II is restricted to the boundaries of Native American casino properties. Period. But within those boundaries, much can be done with the emerging technology to improve these products. In case you’re not up to speed on the difference between these “classes” of gaming, they all originated with the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act by Congress in 1988. This legislation defined three distinct categories of Native American gaming.
Read more: Buddy Frank, CDC Gaming
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Technology not just for IT, requires departmental adoption
As the gaming industry increasingly embraces technology, the transition from idea to implementation can be stressful. At this year’s Indian Gaming Convention, the panel “What Happens After Go Live” brought together industry leaders to discuss the intricacies of technology adoption and the importance of organizational buy-in. Colton Barlow, Vice President of IT at Viejas Casino, began the conversation pointedly. “Any software becomes an IT problem.” He shared that departments often initiate software projects without consulting IT about deadlines and timelines. “Ownership should lie with the department that plans to use the technology,” he said.
Read more: Kelly Koffler, CDC Gaming
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Crypto usage in gaming industry has hurdles to overcome
Cryptocurrency technologies are rapidly evolving from speculative assets into functional infrastructure for payments, but key for any widespread adoption in the gaming industry is knowing customers and the source of funds. The panel discussion on the tradeshow floor at the Indian Gaming Association conference Wednesday was moderated by Danielle Schelble, assistant general counsel for the Arizona Department of Gaming. It featured Thomas McDonald Sr. director of Cage, Credit & Digital for the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, and Omer Sattar, CEO and co-founder of Sightline Payments. Sattar said there’s a lot of confusion about cryptocurrency and what it should be used for.
Read more: Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming
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Tariffs impacting casino construction and other expenses
Tariffs implemented over the past year by the Trump Administration are reshaping costs for tribal casino construction and other expenses well before impacts appear on budgets. A panel discussion at the Indian Gaming Association Conference highlighted the problem and offered insights as to how the current tariffs affect materials, furnishings, and procurement.
Read more: Buck Wargo, CDC Gaming
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