AGA Campaign Recognizes Commercial Casinos’ Leadership in Corporate Social Responsibility

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) has launched the “All In” campaign, a year-long, sustained and themed effort that will showcase and quantify the important corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributions of the commercial casino industry. The campaign will focus on industry successes relating to four areas of CSR: philanthropy, environmental sustainability, responsible gaming and diversity. The “All In” campaign will highlight how the industry as a whole – as well as individual companies and employees – plays a significant role in bettering communities and the environment.

The AGA will spotlight each of the four key CSR areas via program activities timed to coincide with existing national or industry events covering these topic areas throughout the year. In addition to coordinating activities, the AGA plans to release original research that will aggregate and quantify industrywide activity.

“The gaming industry has a long and impressive history of corporate social responsibility, and the ‘All In’ campaign is a great opportunity to illustrate that commitment and get even more people involved in these activities,” said Richard Haddrill, CEO and director of Bally Technologies, Inc. and chairman of the AGA board. “Gaming employees across the country will join together for a national show of support for our communities and the environment.”

The first component of the campaign, “All In for Giving & Volunteering,” will include the development and release of new original research on industrywide volunteer efforts and corporate and employee giving programs. The AGA plans to update the research on an annual basis.

The research release and corresponding activities will occur during National Volunteer Week, taking place April 15-21, 2012. During that week, gaming companies across the country will take the time to recognize the outstanding efforts of their employee volunteers. Also, many gaming professionals will participate in volunteer projects timed to coincide with the national effort.

"The AGA is well aware that many of our members participate in outstanding volunteer programs and make significant financial contributions to charitable organizations throughout the country,” said Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the AGA. “This week is an opportunity to share with key stakeholders the full scope of industrywide activities in this area, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to contributing positively to the communities where we operate.”

The AGA will focus on industry responsible gaming efforts during its annual Responsible Gaming Education Week, this year taking place July 30 through August 3.  Efforts to highlight industry diversity initiatives, including the release of the latest update of the Gaming Industry Employment Diversity Snapshot and the annual Diverse Vendor of the Year awards, also will take place in August.  The AGA will showcase the industry’s environmental sustainability initiatives in events coinciding with America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, 2012.

The AGA will provide tools to aid participation and promotion of each event and will report on the cumulative results of each initiative. The AGA also will provide resources and showcase industry activities in the campaign via a new multimedia section of the AGA website dedicated to the “All In” initiative.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the national trade association for the commercial casino industry. In addition to representing the interests of its members on federal legislative and regulatory issues, the AGA serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on industry-related issues of public concern.