American Gaming Association Partners with National District Attorneys Association to Address Illegal Gambling
Press Release
Washington, DC – The American Gaming Association (AGA) and National District Attorneys Association (NDAA) today announced a partnership to expose illegal gambling that will include training for law enforcement officials at Global Gaming Expo (G2E), the world’s largest gaming trade show that takes place September 27-29 in Las Vegas. The first-ever comprehensive training is part of NDAA’s Comprehensive Training Series and AGA’s “Stop Illegal Gambling – Play it Safe” initiative.
The joint presentation and training will feature prosecutors and representatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Texas Lottery Commission and the Nevada Gaming Control Board, as well as experts on Tribal sovereignty and other casino industry representatives. Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt and representatives from the Arizona and Mississippi attorneys general offices are also expected to participate.
“This partnership offers the latest evidence that illegal gambling, including the massive illegal sports betting market, is a priority for law enforcement at every level across the country,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “Global Gaming Expo offers the perfect opportunity to convene district attorneys and others in law enforcement with gaming industry professionals to learn best practices for exposing shady operators that are tied to organized crime and who siphon revenues from governments and the legal, regulated gaming industry.”
“Through our partnership with the American Gaming Association, we will be better equipped to expose and ultimately crack down on illegal gambling operations across the country,” said Mike Ramos, NDAA president. “This training is about focusing on best practices and building relationships in an effort to protect consumers from the predatory operators of illegal gambling operations.”
This latest partnership is part of AGA’s “Stop Illegal Gambling – Play it Safe” initiative, which is uniting gaming and law enforcement to expose the growing illegal gambling market that preys on consumers, siphons tax revenues and funds violent crime. Through the initiative, AGA, since April 2015, has:
- Gathered more than 30 law enforcement leaders from across the country for the first-ever Law Enforcement Summit in Washington, D.C. to better understand the massive illegal sports betting market in the U.S and what steps can be taken to address it.
- Launched a partnership with the FBI to receive illegal gambling tips;
- Supported in the formation of the first-ever Gaming Committee as part of the influential National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG);
- Formed the Illegal Gambling Advisory Board;
- Released a PSA with the Humane Society of America and the National Sheriffs’ Association;
- Partnered with the Clubs Australia;
- Partnered with the European Casino Association;
- Joined with the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers to highlight a massive illegal gambling market in Texas;
- Released authoritative research tying illegal gambling to organized crime activities; and
- Highlighted the massive underground sports betting market, including the billions of dollars bet illegally on college and professional football and March Madness.
More information can be found at StopIllegalGambling.org.
About NDAA: The National District Attorneys Association, whose membership includes District Attorneys from across the United States, is based in Arlington, Virginia. The NDAA was formed in 1950 and represents the interests of prosecutors and influences federal and national policies affecting law enforcement and prosecution across the country.
About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $240 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.7 million jobs in 40 states. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, suppliers and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to be the single most effective champion of the industry, relentlessly protecting against harmful and often misinformed public policies, and paving a path for growth, innovation and reinvestment.