The absence of a chairperson at the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) has left the oversight and regulation of the $46 billion tribal gambling industry in limbo. This vacancy, which began in January 2026 after the last NIGC chair stepped down, has hindered the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma's partnership with Harrah's for day-to-day management of their casino in Chandler, Oklahoma. The lack of a chairperson affects key responsibilities such as enforcing legal and safety violations, approving new tribal gambling laws, and certifying management agreements between tribes and casino operators. Industry leaders warn that the agency's inactivity could delay business deals, weaken oversight, and leave tribes without an influential advocate in Washington while they confront emerging threats from online prediction markets. The stakes are high for tribes that rely on casino revenue to fund essential services like healthcare, housing, education, and more. With its contract with Harrah's on hold, the Iowa Tribe is managing the massive casino themselves, a task they initially intended to outsource due to the strategic value of Harrah's branding. The three-member gaming commission, established in 1988, regulates casino-style gambling and promotes economic development on tribal lands. With its enforcement powers vested solely in the chairperson, the inability to enforce federal law or close unsafe facilities is a significant concern for industry leaders. The last enforcement action by the NIGC was on January 12, 2026, the same day acting chair Sharon Avery's term expired. Meanwhile, the popularity of online prediction markets poses a potential threat to tribal sovereignty and gambling revenue. Several tribes have already sued these platforms for allegedly accepting bets from tribal lands and states with exclusive tribal gambling rights.