As the voice of the commercial casino industry here in Washington, the AGA pays closer attention than most to the political climate and agenda on Capitol Hill, and the coming year is set to be an exciting one that likely will be dominated by the upcoming election. 

The presidential election will get most of the media coverage, and while it is unlikely to have much impact on gaming-specific topics, it will make a difference on issues that affect the entire business community – taxes, health care, immigration, regulation and budget reform – and greatly impact how gaming companies operate.  On the Hill, the AGA will continue to represent the commercial casino industry on gaming-specific issues such as online poker, off-reservation gaming and other issues that affect the industry.

In addition to the significant work the AGA has planned on the political front for 2012, the AGA will continue its work of telling the story of the modern commercial casino industry.  On the heels of the release of a major study of the economic impact of the gaming industry at the end of 2011, the AGA will focus on the industry’s community and philanthropic impact in the new year.  The first half of 2012 will see the release of a report on industry giving, volunteerism and environmental stewardship.  The AGA will coordinate industry volunteerism efforts by leveraging national events like National Volunteer Week and National Days of Service and will work to highlight the various philanthropic activities of its member companies in a dedicated corporate social responsibility section of the AGA website.

As part of the AGA’s focus on corporate social responsibility, the organization will continue its work to promote diversity in the gaming industry, including the expansion of its new Global Gaming Women (GGW) initiative. Launched last fall, GGW was created to nurture emerging female leaders in the international gaming industry.  By fostering stronger relationships between top female executives and promising managers, GGW will create an opportunity for women in the industry to learn from each other, share ideas and take advantage of mentorship opportunities.  Also on the diversity front in 2012, the AGA plans to conduct and release a new edition of its semi-annual employment diversity snapshot, last conducted in 2008, to measure diversity in hiring by gaming companies.

As always, responsible gaming will be another focus of the AGA’s corporate social responsibility activities in 2012, including the 15^th annual Responsible Gaming Education Week, and the ongoing activities of the AGA’s affiliated charity, the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG).  Through outreach and unique learning opportunities like treatment provider workshops and webinars, the NCRG will continue to advance public education about gambling disorders and responsible gaming through the translation and application of scientific, peer-reviewed research on the topic.

Through the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) family of events, the AGA also will continue to create business opportunities for the gaming industry worldwide.  In 2012, G2E Asia will move two weeks earlier than last year’s event, settling into its permanent date pattern in late May. G2E Las Vegas, the flagship G2E event, will continue in its early October date pattern and return to the Sands Expo and Convention Center for the second year.

The AGA also will continue to engage stakeholders in the social media space through its Twitter feed (@AGAUpdate), its Facebook page www.facebook.com/americangaming [1] and the premiere of its new blog.  These are all great ways to keep up on not only AGA activities, but news from around the industry.

The coming year looks to be a busy one not only in Washington and at the AGA, but for the entire gaming industry, and we look forward to being a part of another year that drives the gaming industry forward.