State Updates

Several state regulators already have responded positively to the AGA report and the industry’s focus on reform opportunities. Although the industrywide effort is only just beginning, several jurisdictions have seen promising first steps:

• Indiana—The Casino Association of Indiana (CAI) has a pre-existing Compliance Subcommittee that meets quarterly and follows up on its priorities with the Indiana Gaming Commission. CAI is incorporating the recommendations of the AGA report into this periodic effort.
• Iowa—The Iowa Gaming Association is considering forming a committee to pursue regulatory reform priorities with the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission and has conducted initial conversations with regulatory officials on these subjects. One subject under discussion is extending the term for gaming licenses.
• Michigan—Gaming businesses and suppliers in Michigan are forming a group to pursue reforms with the Michigan Gaming Control Board.
• Missouri—At its December meeting, the Missouri Gaming Commission reviewed the 10 recommendations in the AGA report and began discussion of a process for examining each of them. MGC officials are now working with industry representatives to review problematic “minimum internal control standards” (MICS), which generally require pre-approval by Missouri regulators; the AGA report highlighted the MICS policies of Missouri and Illinois as a reform priority.
• Nevada—The Nevada Gaming Control Board has prepared an analysis of the AGA report, identifying those recommendations that apply to Nevada’s regulatory structure. Board Chair Mark Lipparelli has ordered staff to examine recommended reforms and report on their feasibility.