Tribal Gaming Today: Navigating Sovereign Authority, Federal Law, and the Sports Betting Surge

William R. Norman, Jr., Partner | Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP

William Norman has been a partner with Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP since January 2000. Mr. Norman joined Hobbs Straus in 1994, following a two-year clerkship with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Norman’s practice focuses on promoting and defending the rights of Indian tribes and tribal organizations. He advises tribal governments, their agencies, and enterprises on tribal governmental and business infrastructure, from drafting tribal laws to negotiating complex financing transactions. William has wide-ranging experience as a trusted legal advisor and counselor to tribal leadership on matters spanning from assisting leaders in improving tribal citizen/member services to advocating at the highest levels of federal and state government on their behalf.

• Education and Credentials

William Norman earned his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma (1992) and a B.B.A. from the University of Central Oklahoma (1989). He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, multiple federal appellate and district courts, and the Oklahoma and District of Columbia bars, as well as several tribal courts. His credentials reflect extensive experience across federal, state, and tribal legal systems.

• Recognition and Leadership

William has received notable recognition for his work in Native American and gaming law. He was named Best Lawyers® 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Gaming Law and Native American Law in Oklahoma City and is listed as an Oklahoma Super Lawyer in Native American Law. He also serves as Associate Justice for the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Appellate Court, reflecting his leadership in tribal jurisprudence.

• Professional Involvement

William has been actively engaged in professional and community organizations throughout his career. He serves as Vice Chair of the Indigenous Law Committee of the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources and is a member of the Oklahoma Indian Bar Association and the American Indian Chamber of Commerce of Oklahoma. He has also served on the boards of several nonprofit organizations supporting Native communities.

• Experience

A partner at Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP since 2000, William focuses on protecting and advancing the rights of Indian tribes and tribal organizations. He advises tribal governments on economic development, and gaming matters, including ordinance development, financing transactions, compact negotiations, and regulatory compliance. His work also includes advocacy before federal and state governments and litigation involving tribal sovereignty and tribal lands.

Kirke Kickingbird, Of Counsel | Hobbs, Straus, Dean & Walker, LLP

Kirke Kickingbird, a member of the Kiowa Tribe and Kiowa Gourd Clan, has devoted his professional career to helping Indian people get interpretations of the law that will benefit their personal interests as well as the interests of tribal governments. His expertise has enabled him to work effectively in legal, political, academic, and business arenas in order to ensure that the Indian viewpoint is taken seriously. In his work, Kirke has provided training and technical assistance to more than 150 tribal governments within the United States and Canada, and has worked with the United States government and world experts on international treaty issues affecting indigenous people. Kirke joined the firm in 2000 and today is working on gaming issues for Oklahoma tribes and tribal government reform.

• Education and Credentials

Kirke Kickingbird earned both his B.A. (1966) and J.D. (1969) from the University of Oklahoma. He is admitted to practice law in Oklahoma and the District of Columbia (inactive). His academic background laid the foundation for a career dedicated to advancing tribal law, governance, and policy.

• Recognition and Leadership

He served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma and as Chairman of the Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission. In 1995, he was appointed Special Counsel on Indian Affairs to Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating, advising on policy and legal matters affecting tribal governments.

• Professional Involvement

His roles include serving on the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association, President of the Native American Bar Association, and Chair of the Native American Resources Committee within the ABA Section of Environment, Energy and Resources. He has also contributed to legal scholarship and policy through his leadership with the Institute for the Development of Indian Law.

• Experience

Kirke has spent decades advocating for tribal interests across legal, academic, and governmental arenas. He has provided training and technical assistance to more than 150 tribal governments in the United States and Canada and currently advises Oklahoma tribes on gaming, governance reform, constitutional revisions, and legislative matters. His work bridges tribal communities, policymakers, and national institutions to advance tribal sovereignty and development.

I. Tribal Self-Determination to the IGRA: History of Tribal Government Gaming | 1:00pm – 1:30pm

This session examines the historical development of tribal government gaming as part of the broader movement for tribal self-determination. It reviews early tribal–state conflicts over gaming and the litigation that shaped the legal landscape, including the landmark California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians decision. The discussion then turns to the enactment of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and the regulatory framework it established.

Attorneys will learn how federal Indian law and tribal sovereignty shaped the development of tribal gaming. They will analyze the legal significance of the California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians decision and its impact on tribal–state authority. Participants will also examine why Congress enacted the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) and how it structured the regulation of tribal gaming.

II. Understanding the IGRA: Structure of Tribal Government Gaming | 1:30pm – 2:00pm

This session examines the structure of tribal government gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). It reviews key statutory concepts, including the definition of “Indian lands,” permissible uses of gaming revenues, and the classification of Class I, II, and III gaming. The discussion also addresses federal oversight by the National Indian Gaming Commission and the continuing importance of Class II gaming.

Attendees will learn how the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act structures and regulates tribal gaming operations. They will understand key legal concepts such as “Indian lands,” permitted uses of gaming revenue, and the distinctions between Class I, II, and III gaming. Participants will also examine the role and limits of federal oversight by the National Indian Gaming Commission.

Break | 2:00pm – 2:10pm

III. Mobile Betting: Opportunities and Threats to Tribal Government Gaming | 2:10pm – 3:10pm

This session examines the evolving legal landscape surrounding tribal sports betting. It reviews the impact of the fall of PASPA and the expansion of state-authorized sports betting and commercial sportsbooks. The discussion also addresses other federal laws affecting tribal sports betting and the implications of the West Flagler decision; the session explores new Interior compacting regulations and emerging threats such as sports prediction markets and sweepstakes sportsbooks.

Attorneys will learn how the repeal of PASPA reshaped the sports betting landscape and its implications for tribal gaming. They will examine how federal law and recent cases, including the West Flagler decision, affect tribal authority and state regulation of sports wagering. Participants will also review new Interior Department compacting regulations and how they influence tribal–state agreements.