Washington, DC – American Gaming Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman released the following statement after Delaware’s gaming study commission made recommendations to improve the state’s partnership with the gaming industry:

“Delaware casinos face an ultra-competitive mid-Atlantic landscape.  To thrive, lawmakers should embrace progressive, pro-business policies that empower Delaware’s casino industry to innovate and reinvest. Forward thinking gaming regulations and tax policies will protect jobs, attract customers and strengthen Delaware’s economy.”  

BACKGROUND

In November, Sara Rayme, senior vice president of public affairs for the AGA, spoke before the study commission to provide an overview of the regional competitive landscape and emphasize the importance of policymakers and the industry working together to protect the jobs and economic contributions the gaming industry provides in Delaware.

A study conducted by Oxford Economics last fall examines the vast, positive economic impact of the gaming industry on Delaware’s economy. The first-of-its-kind study measures the industry’s significant ripple effect on the supply chain, including local businesses, and found that Delaware’s gaming industry:

•       Contributes $726 million to the First State’s economy;
•       Supports more than 4,200 Delaware jobs and nearly $188 million in income;
•       Generates $316 million in tax revenues to local, state and federal governments – enough to pay 8,000 teachers’ salaries.

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 pathway for growth, innovation and reinvestment.

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