The growth of gaming among Indian tribes in the U.S. will be the topic of panel discussions May 9-10 at the 14th annual Southern Gaming Summit in Biloxi.

Tribal casinos are now located in 30 states. Industry officials say tribal gaming is the fastest-growing segment of the legal gambling industry, generating nearly $30 billion a year in revenue.

“This year’s summit will explore in depth the growth of tribal gaming and the potential impact new and expanded gambling in Florida, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and other states may have on Mississippi,” said Beverly Martin, executive director of the Mississippi Casino Operations Association, producer of the Summit along with Ascend Media Gaming Group.

Martin said another panel will discuss the impact of the development of casinos off existing reservations.

She said the off-reservation panel will include officials with the U.S. Department of Interior, National Indian Gaming Association and representatives of tribal governments closely involved with the ongoing debate in Congress. In addition, one of the keynote speakers will be John Tahsuda, outgoing majority counsel and staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.

The conference will feature presentations about the Gulf Coast recovery and rebirth after Hurricane Katrina, slot technologies and gaming law.

On the Net:

Southern Gaming Summit, http://www.sgsummit.com