hurricane katrina

WASHINGTON— The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced it has raised more than $675,000 for its Gaming Industry Katrina Relief Fund through generous donations from gaming operator and supplier companies, individual donations and contributions given during Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the industry’s annual tradeshow and conference.

NEW ORLEANS – Though a full recovery is still some years off, the U.S. Gulf Coast can look forward to a successful economic future within the next decade, according to the results of a new survey of regional leaders released today at G2E Institute. The experts surveyed also assert that the gaming industry is leading the way in recovery efforts, both as a significant contributor to the overall recovery effort and as the fastest-recovering industry in the region.

WASHINGTON—Gross gaming revenues for the U.S. commercial casino industry climbed 6.8 percent in 2006 to reach a new record of $32.42 billion, according to a survey released today by the American Gaming Association (AGA). The 2007 State of the States: The AGA Survey of Casino Entertainment also illustrates the continued high acceptability of casino gambling among American adults, with more than four in five (82 percent) saying the activity is acceptable for themselves or others.

Good morning.  My boss, Frank Fahrenkopf, sends his regards and regrets for not being here due to a minor medical procedure.

I’m happy to be here at the fabulous Wynn Las Vegas to report on the state of the commercial gaming industry as we head into 2006.  As many of you know, this past year marked the 10th anniversary of the American Gaming Association, and I think it’s fair to say that as we enter our next decade, we do so as the voice of an industry that has seen its fair share of challenging times but has emerged more united, stronger, and with more opportunities than ever.

Dear Editor:

The headline to Jonathan Weisman’s Sept. 22 article: “In Break With Tradition, Casinos May Get Tax Breaks, Too,” elicits an obvious question. “Why not?”  As Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said, we “should be treated like any other industry.”

Re “Casinos Booming in Katrina’s Wake as Cash Pours In,” July 16):

Good afternoon.  I’m Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association, the national trade association that represents the U.S. commercial casino industry in Washington.  I’m proud to tell you that last year we celebrated our tenth anniversary as the voice of the commercial casino industry, and it’s been a tremendously successful decade filled with opportunity, evolution and growth.