In order to examine in greater depth issues that are of great importance to the gaming industry, the AGA periodically commissions the development of white papers by third-party experts. The papers below were created to educate key stakeholders about how the gaming industry operates and the issues affecting it.
Studies
Internet Sweepstakes Cafes: Unregulated Storefront Gambling in the Neighborhood
Prepared by: David O. Stewart, Ropes & Gray, LLP
March 2013
This paper addresses the proliferation of Internet sweepstakes cafes, including a thorough history of the venues and a look at where and how they operate. It outlines legislation and legal activity that already has taken place related to the issue in various states across the country. Finally, it addresses the legal arguments against sweepstakes cafes and offers expansive definitions for the prohibition of the machines through state law.
Download [1]
The Commercial Gaming Industry's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability
November 2012
This paper quantifies the substantial commitments to environmental sustainability and energy conservation made by the commercial gaming industry. The paper details the results a survey of nine commercial casino companies and industry suppliers, and shows that, whether through recycling and waste minimization or energy and water conservation, the environmental sustainability programs in the commercial gaming industry are some of the most progressive and forward-looking of any sector in the U.S. today. An infographic [2] illustrating this data also was released.
Download [3]
An Industry of Giving: Charitable Contributions and Volunteering in the Commercial Gaming Industry
April 2012
This paper quantifies the substantial philanthropic contributions made by the commercial gaming industry. The survey is the first of its kind, and the results offer new insight into the charitable giving and corporate volunteer programs of more than half of the AGA membership. Fourteen companies responded to the survey, and while the report captures only a portion of the industry’s philanthropic work, it provides a valuable snapshot of activity among a significant segment of the commercial gaming sector. An infographic [4] illustrating this data also was released.
Download [5]
Improving Gaming Regulation: 10 Recommendations for Streamlining Processes While Maintaining Integrity
Prepared by: David O. Stewart, Ropes & Gray, LLP
October 2011
This paper makes a wide range of recommendations for streamlining gaming regulations while maintaining the integrity of the industry and its regulatory system. It does not attempt to produce an “exhaustive” list of improvements but instead focuses on recommendations that would improve the licensing process, simplify the gaming licensee’s ability to gain access to financing, reform regulation of gaming machines and modify or eliminate unnecessary red tape and reporting requirements. The paper identifies reforms that would free regulators and licensees from processes that no longer serve their initial goals, analyzing each regulatory problem and identifying an effective solution.
Download [6]
Online Gambling Five Years After UIGEA
Prepared by: David O. Stewart, Ropes & Gray, LLP
May 2011
The paper examines the state of the online gambling market in the United States and around the world and the principle public policy concerns surrounding online gambling – ensuring the integrity of the games, respecting territorial limits, excluding underage gamblers and implementing responsible gaming programs – and how they can be addressed successfully with regulation and new technology. The document also outlines recent U.S. legalization proposals. Finally, it concludes that Congress has a unique opportunity to build a comprehensive policy that includes the licensing and regulation of online poker, a uniform regulatory structure to protect consumers and reinforced law enforcement tools to exclude lightly-regulated offshore operators.
Download [7] (PDF, 368K)
Ten Years of Innovation: Marketing and Game Technology During the First Decade of G2E
Prepared by: Roger Gros and Frank Legato
November 2010
Developed in partnership with Global Gaming Expo (G2E) and Global Gaming Business magazine in celebration of G2E's 10th anniversary, this paper investigates how key advancements in marketing and technology—including many products and trends launched at G2E—have shaped and stimulated the growth of the gaming industry during G2E's first years. The launch of ticket-in/ticket-out (TITO) technology, the rise of players clubs and the introduction of customer relationship management strategies are just some of the topics the paper covers.
Download [8] (PDF, 951K)
Demystifying Slot Machines and Their Impact in the United States
Prepared by: David O. Stewart, Ropes & Gray, LLP
July 2010
This white paper explores how slot machines work and how they have evolved into America’s favorite casino game. The report investigates how slot machines are developed, operated and regulated, as well as how they impact gaming patrons and communities. Additional topics covered include: the creative process behind slot development, the inner workings of a slot machine and technological advancements in electronic games.
Download [9] (PDF, 1404K)
Challenges that Confront Researchers on Estimating the Social Costs of Gambling
Prepared by: Douglas M. Walker, Ph.D.
January 2008
This white paper examines why little progress has been made in researchers’ ability to adequately identify and measure the potential costs of legalized gambling and strives to provide researchers and policymakers with an understanding of the basic problems inherent in measuring the social costs of gambling. Dr. Walker suggests four fundamental issues that must be addressed before researchers can truly begin to estimate the social costs of gambling, (1) comorbidity, or the idea that many pathological gamblers have other coexisting disorders; (2) survey data validity; (3) measuring government expenditures relating to the treatment of problem gambling; and (4) the counterfactual scenario. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [10] (PDF, 93K)
A Survey of Attitudes of Casino Industry Employees
Prepared by: Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc.
November 2007
This paper details the results of a national survey of casino industry employee attitudes about their jobs and the industry. The survey shows that the vast majority of casino industry employees are exceedingly positive toward their work and their workplace and see their jobs as opening many doors and allowing them to flourish in different aspects of their lives. The key findings that emerge from the survey paint a picture of an industry that employees see as a growth industry that provides long-term job security and one they are proud to be a part of. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [11] (PDF, 81K)
Indoor Air Quality and the Gaming Industry
Prepared by: Steven G. Barringer, Holland & Hart, LLP, Margaret Martin, Ropes & Gray, LLP, Thomas Susman, Ropes & Gray, LLP
July 2006
This white paper provides a comprehensive look at the indoor air quality issue as it relates to the gaming industry, including an overview of the characteristics and health risks of secondhand smoke, the growth of smoking restrictions in the U.S., research on the economic impact of smoking bans and an analysis of various options the gaming industry can use to address secondhand smoke in its facilities. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [12] (PDF, 103K)
An Analysis of Internet Gambling and its Policy Implications
Prepared by: David O. Stewart, Ropes and Gray, LLP
May 2006
The white paper includes an overview of the online gambling market, including the types of games being offered, the types of entities offering online gambling and where they are located, the payment mechanisms available for online bettors, the regulatory structures in place for online gambling, and prevailing tax rates. The paper explores current U.S. policies on Internet gambling, analyzes proposed legislation and its possible impact, and ultimately suggests that a Congressional study commission is needed to properly address the issue in the United States. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [13] (PDF, 122K)
An Industrywide Response: Promoting Responsible Gaming and Problem Gambling Research, Education and Treatment
Prepared by: the American Gaming Association
November 2005
This paper examines the impact of the collaborative industrywide effort to promote responsible gaming, as well as research, education and treatment for disordered gambling. A compilation of interviews with key players from the gaming industry and scientific research and treatment communities reveals that the programs developed and supported by the AGA have enhanced public awareness of responsible gaming issues and allowed for a greater understanding of the underlying causes of gambling problems. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [14] (PDF, 134K)
Community Leaders’ Perceptions of Gaming Industry’s Effects
Prepared by: Peter D. Hart, CEO of Peter D. Hart Research Associates
September 2005
This paper analyzes results of a survey of among 201 local community leaders in jurisdictions with commercial casino gaming. The results indicate elected officials and civic leaders in gaming communities across the country have an overwhelmingly positive view of the impact of casinos in their community. The paper also examines community leaders’ perceptions of the economic impact of casinos and how they differ from those of some policymakers and gambling opponents, especially when discussing taxes. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [15] (PDF, 73K)
The Impacts of Gaming Taxation in the United States
Prepared by: Eugene Christiansen, CEO of Christiansen Capital Advisors
June 2005
This paper discusses the impacts of gaming privilege taxes on capital investment, job creation and other economic contributions in casino host jurisdictions. The author theorizes that unreasonable tax rates can have the opposite effect legislators intend – thwarting capital investment, forcing job cuts and ultimately leading to long-term revenue losses. Hard data and concrete examples provide support for this theory, showing that lower tax rates are the key to creating jobs, capital and, in fact, increased tax revenue. Part of the AGA's 10th Anniversary Research Series.
Download [16] (PDF, 152K)
Casino Gaming in America: Key Findings of the National Gambling Impact Study Commission (1997-99)
March 2005
This report is a compilation of testimony from the National Gambling Impact Study Commission hearings on a variety of issues, including economic and social impact, regulation, disordered gambling and responsible gaming.
Download [17] (PDF, 202K)
Casino Gambling and White-Collar Crime: An Examination of the Empirical Evidence
Prepared by: Jay S. Albanese, Ph.D.
August 1999
This study, written by Jay Albanese, Ph.D., a professor of criminal justice at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va., provides the most comprehensive examination to date of the impact of casino gambling on white-collar crime.
Download [18] (PDF, 97K)
Suicide and Gambling: An Analysis of Suicide Rates in U.S. Counties and Metropolitan Areas
Prepared by: Richard McCleary, Ph.D., Kenneth Chew, Ph.D., et. al.
September 1998
This study, prepared by Richard McCleary, Ph.D., and Kenneth Chew, Ph.D., of the University of California - Irvine, examines the link between suicide and gambling. The findings are based on before/after analyses of six U.S. counties that have introduced gaming since the mid-1970s: Atlantic County, N.J.; Lawrence County, S.D.; Douglas and Gilpin counties, Colo.; Harrison County, Miss.; and Will County, Ill.
Download [19] (PDF, 2685K)
Casinos and Crime: An Analysis of the Evidence
Prepared by: Jeremy Margolis
December 1997
This study, prepared by crime expert Jeremy Margolis, former Illinois inspector general and director of the Illinois State Police, is based on a review of previously published literature on crime; analyses of crime data; personal interviews with law enforcement agencies; and an examination of various theories, opinions and subjective data about crime and gaming, which have gained public notoriety in recent years. It covers almost all commercial gaming jurisdictions in the United States.
Download [20] (PDF, 3174K)
Economic Impacts of Casino Gaming in the United States (Vol. 2): Micro Study
May 1997
This study examines the economic impact of casino gaming in three jurisdictions: Gulfport/Biloxi, Miss.; Shreveport/Bossier City, La.; and Joliet, Ill.
Download [21] (PDF, 548K)
Economic Impacts of Casino Gaming in the United States (Vol. 1): Macro Study
December 1996
This study examines the economic impact of casino gaming from a national perspective, presenting average industry salaries, total wages and taxes paid by the industry, annual revenues, capital investment, indirect economic impacts and other data.
Download [22] (PDF, 741K)
The data and comments presented in these white papers are solely those of the authors and do not represent the positions of the American Gaming Association. The AGA assumes no responsibility for error or omissions in these materials.