Hosted at MGM National Harbor, the American Gaming Association (AGA) convened elected officials, local business owners, and gaming industry executives to discuss the importance of gaming’s positive impact in Maryland for the Get to Know Gaming series.

Representative Anthony Brown (MD-04) delivered opening remarks emphasizing the positive growth gaming has brought to the state, saying, “Put simply, gaming strengthened our public schools, our neighborhoods, and our local economy. Maryland made a big bet on gaming. Yes, the pun is intended. But as our casinos turned in their fourth-best month in gaming revenue numbers ever this past August, we’re seeing that bet pay off.” Brown also encouraged the industry and policymakers to continue to work together to “out-compete and out-innovate” other gaming destinations, but to do so in a responsible way.

AGA released Casinos & Communities: Maryland at the event, which offers a narrative look at the gaming industry’s economic and social contributions to Maryland communities. The research couples key data on gaming’s economic impact—15,364 jobs supported and $713 million in wages generated annually—with testimonials from local business owners, nonprofits, and elected officials about gaming’s positive impact in their communities.

The event, held during Responsible Gaming Education Week, also focused on the efforts of Maryland operators to promote responsible gaming. AGA President and CEO Bill Miller emphasized this, “Like their peers across the country, Maryland operators go above and beyond, contributing millions to statewide RG programs and working together to share best practices and evolve their own efforts as part of the Maryland Alliance on Responsible Gaming.”

Maryland gaming regularly engages and supports area small businesses, creates new partnerships with local nonprofit organizations, and provides good jobs that pave a path to the middle class for workers of all backgrounds and experiences. Owner of Be-Clean Cleaning Services, Carla Truitt, shared how gaming has impacted her small business. Through perseverance, ingenuity, and a conviction that “anything you touch can be cleaned,” she won the business of MGM National Harbor, which has allowed her business to grow from four employees to 32 in less than five years.

The event also included Mary Drexler, Program Director, MD Center of Excellence on Problem Gaming, Melonie Johnson, president and chief operating officer of MGM National Harbor, and William Parker, Owner, The Parker K-9 Group. Former Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III moderated the discussion.

Media Highlights

• Gaming official: industry benefits Md., The Baltimore Sun
• Maryland Casinos Tout Success But Seek To Remain Competitive, Gambling Compliance
• AGA takes ‘Get to Know Gaming’ campaign to Maryland, SBC Americas