AGA Unveils PROGRESS Kit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In an ongoing effort to promote responsible gaming at casino properties nationwide, the American Gaming Association (AGA) today unveiled the PROGRESS (Promoting Responsible Gaming Resources and Education Standards) Kit, a multimedia kit containing all the tools necessary to enable properties to launch internal responsible gaming programs. Covering all aspects of responsible gaming from employee training to informational materials for guests, the PROGRESS Kit consists of three volumes of material designed to help properties raise awareness of disordered and underage gambling.

Among the resources in each kit are:

• Voluntary guidelines for responsible gaming, casino marketing and advertising and children and minors
• Sample employee and customer brochures and posters on disordered gambling and underage gambling prevention
• Employee training curricula on compulsive gambling and underage gambling

Issue overviews on policy initiatives, public awareness and research

The materials in each kit will also be included on a CD-ROM to allow companies to customize the information with their logo and local information for printing and distribution at their property. The multimedia training curricula includes a PowerPoint presentation and video clips.

“It is important for the industry to be aware of and promote responsible gaming among both employees and guests,” AGA President and CEO Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr. said. “The PROGRESS kit offers casino properties the perfect vehicle to launch such programs.”

The Kit will be provided to all AGA members free of charge and sold to nonmembers at cost.

The kit was created by the AGA with help from its Responsible Gaming Task Force and the North American Training Institute, a division of the Minnesota Council on Compulsive Gambling that facilitates research; conducts professional training; studies treatment techniques, methods and programs; supports public education; and provides prevention services on compulsive gambling issues.

The AGA represents the commercial casino entertainment industry by addressing federal legislative and regulatory issues. The association also serves as a clearinghouse for information, develops aggressive educational and advocacy programs, and provides leadership on issues of public concern.