Washington, DC – The American Gaming Association (AGA) today addressed the National Indian Gaming Association’s (NIGA) mid-year conference in Phoenix and stressed the importance of continuing to work together to overturn the failing federal ban on sports betting.

AGA is leading the efforts to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) – the federal ban on sports betting – to give states and tribal sovereign governments the option to offer sports betting within their borders. NIGA and AGA are both active supporters of the American Sports Betting Coalition (ASBC), which represents the aligned interests of law enforcement, business, and organizations representing elected officials to advocate for a repeal of PASPA.

“Working with NIGA and the tribal community is a top priority for AGA as we seek an end to the federal ban that’s driving a $150 billion illegal sports betting market,” said Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs at AGA.

Momentum for expanded legalized sports betting is on the rise. The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear New Jersey’s appeal to PASPA, and AGA filed an Amicus brief detailing the size of the illegal sports betting market and the dangers of an unregulated market. Governors and Attorneys General from 20 states also filed an Amicus brief in support of New Jersey.

New research from Oxford Economics estimates that a legalized and regulated sports betting market has the potential to support up to 152,000 jobs, create an estimated $26 billion in economic output and generate up to $5.3 billion in tax revenue.

This year, Americans wagered an estimated $15 billion on the Super Bowl and NCAA men’s March Madness basketball tournament alone, 97% of which was bet illegally.

To date, fourteen states have introduced sports betting bills despite the federal prohibition. More are expected to join in the coming months as more state’s rights advocates and elected officials demand the end of PASPA.

American Gaming Association 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.