Denise Harvey attends international gaming convention

By Danielle Harrison

Smoke Signals editor

LONDON -- Tribal Council member and Indian Gaming Association Tribal delegate Denise Harvey recently attended the International Casino Exhibition in London.

The global gaming event brings together industry and other professionals from across the gaming industry to share their latest products, information and technology.

This year’s event was held from Feb. 6-8 at ExCel London. It was Harvey’s first time attending.

“I was invited in 2020 but with all of the COVID stuff happening, we cancelled attending that,” she said. “This was the first opportunity that I could make it but I’ve known about it for years. There were probably about 30 Tribal representatives there.”

Harvey has served on the IGA commission since 2018, and is the first Grand Ronde Tribal member to be appointed to the board. She previously served on the Grand Ronde Gaming Commission as a member and chair from March 2004 through September 2013. She’s served on Tribal Council since 2013.

Harvey said that the highlight of the convention was the amount of respect and appreciation the Tribal representatives received from others in attendance.

“It was full of people from all over the world and the symposium we did was packed,” she said. “They’re just so appreciative and respectful of Tribal people, they treated us like celebrities. It was that way through the whole conference. It was almost overwhelming and surprising that so many wanted to learn who we were and what we do, and the difference between commercial and Tribal gaming.”

During the Tribal symposium Feb. 6, attendees learned more about the differences and similarities between Tribal gaming regulations and other jurisdictions in the United States, and why gaming is vital to those Tribes.

She continued, “We’re a $49 billion dollar industry, so we’re no longer the little fish in a big pond. And they’re (gaming vendors) really recognizing that they need to have good relationships with the Tribes and understand the differences between each Tribe and each state and it’s complicated. But we’re very desirable to them to have business with us.”

Another highlight for Harvey was unexpectedly being presented with the Indian Gaming Association 2024 Chairman’s Leadership Award with IGA Deputy Executive Director Danielle Her Many Horses and Raving CEO Deana Scott. Raving is a Native-owned gaming and hospitality business.

The award recognizes efforts made by gaming industry leaders that assist in rebuilding communities through Indian self-reliance.

“I wasn’t expecting that at all,” Harvey said. “I think for Indian gaming and most of the Tribes I get to work with nationally, they respect the fact that I show up and participate. I know when to ask questions and usually am somewhat educated on the questions that I might be asking. So, I think it’s just continuous support and being willing to step up. You just do what you do in a professional way and it seems to be resonating.”

When asked why it is important to have Tribal representation at these events, Harvey said that it’s always important to have gaming manufacturing companies understand the types of relationships they need to have with different Tribes.

“They recognize that they can’t just come in and bombard us and we’re as powerful as they are,” Harvey said. “What I saw is now they’re rethinking their process and know they need to build a relationship. … It was an honor to be there and represent all of Indian Country and who we are, and help build those relationships.”