About MIGA

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The Minnesota Indian Gaming Association (MIGA) was established in 1987 to represent member tribes in their efforts to educate the public and elected officials while addressing shared interests and concerns. Since that time, MIGA has served as the collective voice of its members on vital issues affecting gaming. Each tribe has its own sovereign government and priorities for its people, but through MIGA, Minnesota tribes have the opportunity to speak with a unified voice on gaming and related public policy matters.

MIGA was born out of a 1987 Supreme Court decision affirming that tribes have the inherent right as sovereign governments to conduct gaming activities on tribal lands. In 1988, Congress passed the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA), requiring tribes to enter into compacts with their states in order to conduct casino-style gaming. In 1991, Minnesota finalized the last of its 22 gaming compacts.

Minnesota Indian Gaming Association
Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Chief Executive Melanie Benjamin and Upper Sioux Indian Community Chairman Kevin Jensvold discuss policies at a Tribal State Relations Training. (Photo courtesy of David R. Gonzalez, Minnesota Department of Transportation)

Supporting responsible gaming

MIGA is an active member of the Minnesota Alliance on Problem Gambling, a statewide organization that works to raise public awareness of problem gambling, provide professional training for those who work with problem gamblers, and advocate for treatment funding. MIGA tribes provide financial support for the Alliance, as well as other problem gambling awareness, education and treatment programs in Minnesota. If you have a gambling problem, or know someone who does, please contact the Alliance today.