OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma – As reported by the Tulsa World: "The pickings were good for Linda Big Soldier on Monday at the 2006 Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Conference and Tradeshow.
"Big Soldier, the Iowa Tribe's vice chairwoman, had a bag full of pens and toys handed out by scores of vendors at the Cox Convention Center.
"She was also shopping for the latest strategy her tribe can use for a casino it plans to build within a few years, she said. For her and other potential clients, the OIGA show is a one-stop shop.
"…Big Soldier was one of more than 1,500 participants at the annual two-day trade show, which brings together gaming vendors, tribal casino employees and gaming commissioners.
"With mammoth growth in Indian gaming, trade shows such as this one are becoming pivotal to the state's gaming tribes, officials said.
"National Indian Gaming Commission figures show that Region V -- which consists of Oklahoma,
Texas, Kansas and Missouri -- reported total gaming revenues of $1.7 billion in 2005. The region's revenue a decade ago was $96 million.
"…The show also features updates by federal gaming officials and breakout sessions on topics such as gaming schemes, annual audits, drug use in casinos and money laundering…"