WASHINGTON – The American Gaming Association (AGA) released new Payments Modernization Policy Principles, reflective of an 18-month, collaborative industry effort, that provide a framework for regulatory flexibility allowing digital payments on the casino floor. The principles come at a time when the majority (57%) of past-year casino visitors report the option for digital or contactless payments on the casino floor is important to them because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Enabling payment choice allows casino customers the ability to supplement cash with safe and secure digital payment options on the casino floor. This not only improves responsible gaming efforts by equipping customers with digital tools to help them monitor their gaming and set limits, but also provides operators, regulators, and law enforcement increased transparency into matters of anti-money laundering and monitoring of financial transactions.
“Advancing opportunities for digital payments has been one of our top priorities since my first day at the AGA. It aligns with gaming’s role as a modern, 21st century industry and bolsters our already rigorous regulatory and responsible gaming measures,” said Bill Miller, AGA president and CEO. “The COVID-19 pandemic made it all the more important to advance our efforts to provide customers with the payment choice they are more comfortable with and have increasingly come to expect in their daily lives.”
Early last year, the AGA convened a working group of members to evaluate the regulatory, processing, and consumer landscape related to expanding payment options on the casino floor. The Payments Modernization Policy Principles, the product of that collaborative effort, seek to educate state and tribal regulators who are considering expanding payment choice:
- Equip customers with more tools to wager responsibly.
- Give customers payment choice and convenience.
- Ensure state laws enable a flexible regulatory approach, capable of keeping pace with evolving forms of digital payments.
- Address heightened customer public health concerns.
- Provide customers confidence in digital payment security.
- Create a uniform regulatory environment for casino operators, suppliers, and regulators.
- Empower law enforcement to better identify offenders through digital payment analysis.
The principles reflect the AGA’s ongoing coordination with regulators, card networks, responsible gaming and problem gambling advocates, financial institutions, and other key players in the payments ecosystem.
Recent AGA research found that 59 percent of past-year casino visitors are less likely to use cash in their everyday lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This translates to customer preferences on the casino floor, as more than half (54%) indicate that they would be very likely to utilize a digital or contactless payment option when they gamble.
The AGA is supporting regulator, operator, and supplier efforts to introduce digital payments as part of a number of contactless measures to promote public health on the casino floor.
More information on the AGA’s payments modernization efforts and the full policy principles are available here.
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About the AGA
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers, and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen as the association’s next chairman. The AGA board of directors elected Allen to succeed Aristocrat Technologies CEO and Managing Director Trevor Croker, who has served as AGA chairman since January 2020. His two-year term begins in January 2022.
Allen has served on AGA’s board of directors since 2015, where his leadership and experience has played an integral role in driving association priorities. For twenty years, Allen has led all gaming, hospitality and entertainment operations for the Seminole Tribe of Florida, vastly expanding the tribe’s gaming operations across the state and country.
“This is a pivotal juncture for the gaming industry and I’m honored to serve as the AGA’s next chairman,” said Allen. “The AGA has played an essential role in uniting the industry throughout the pandemic, and I’m thankful to Trevor and the AGA board of directors for entrusting me to help lead the industry’s continued recovery.”
“I’m thrilled to welcome Jim as AGA chairman,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Jim brings decades of experience in commercial casino operations and tribal gaming—a perspective that will be invaluable as we work to set the industry’s agenda, accelerate gaming’s comeback and strengthen our value to communities across the country.”
“Trevor has been a tremendous chairman of the AGA and trusted advisor to me over the past two years, guiding the industry through the most challenging time in its history,” continued Miller. “The AGA and entire gaming community are indebted to his service to the industry.”
“It has been a privilege to serve as AGA chairman,” stated Croker. “I’m incredibly proud of our success in laying the foundation for gaming’s recovery and ensuring our future is brighter than ever. I have the utmost confidence that Jim, Bill and the entire association will continue to lead the gaming industry forward.”
The AGA’s executive committee recently extended Miller’s contract to remain the association’s president and CEO for an additional three years. Since joining in 2019, Miller and the AGA have advanced important industry priorities, including:
- Accelerating gaming’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the industry’s historic inclusion in the CARES Act.
- Securing a favorable regulatory environment for the industry to help pave the way for casino payments modernization and other industry innovation.
- Expanding responsible gaming efforts as the industry grows, including the establishment of AGA’s Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ campaign.
- Amplifying gaming’s voice to the public and policymakers through communications and research and building gaming champions on Capitol Hill.
WASHINGTON – U.S. commercial gaming revenue topped $11 billion in Q1 2021, matching Q3 2019 as the industry’s highest-grossing quarter ever, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. The revenue total marks a 4.1 percent increase over the industry’s pre-pandemic performance in Q1 2019 and is a 17.7 percent increase over Q1 2020, when the entire gaming industry shut down in March due to COVID-19.
Commercial gaming’s strong Q1 revenue numbers signify an accelerating recovery for the industry, with Q1 2021 revenue up 21.1 percent over Q4 2020. Gains in gaming revenue were largely driven by the industry’s performance in March, the highest-grossing revenue month in history for U.S. commercial gaming.
More than half of states with commercial casinos saw quarterly gaming revenue increases over Q1 2019, with several states reporting record quarters.
“Today’s report shows gaming’s comeback is ahead of schedule,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our industry has faced numerous challenges head-on while still reopening responsibly and providing a safe, exciting environment for customers.”
Despite significant COVID-mandated restrictions on casino capacity and amenities across the country, traditional brick-and-mortar casino games generated 90 percent of their Q1 2019 revenue, with March 2021 revenue for slots and table games coming within one percent of March 2019 totals.
Sports betting revenue for Q1 2021 saw a quarterly U.S. record of $961 million, up 270 percent over Q1 2020 and surpassing 2019’s full-year total of $909 million. Boosted by the January launch of online casinos in Michigan, iGaming generated $784 million nationwide in Q1 2021, more than tripling U.S. iGaming revenue from Q1 2020.
“The gaming industry is generating these impressive results with one hand tied behind our back as capacity and amenity restrictions remain across the country,” said Miller. “This is a testament to gaming’s hard work to help ensure our team members’ safety and well-being, which enabled us to reopen safely. We applied those same standards to our customers, whose clear pent-up demand was met by our responsible industry.”
Background
- 30 states and the District of Columbia featured operational commercial gaming markets in Q1 2021, including casino gaming, sports betting and iGaming.
- By the end of Q1, 454 (97.8%) of 464 commercial casinos in the U.S. were open. While some states had returned to full capacity, most U.S. casinos were still operating with capacity restrictions ranging from 25-75%.
- COVID-related restrictions on casino capacity and amenities vary on a state and local level. AGA’s COVID-19 casino tracker is tracking casino capacity restrictions on a state-by-state basis.
GLI
“We endeavor to be a welcome part of our host communities, and we understand that to achieve that objective, we must be mindful, active stewards of our core values and the values of the communities in which we work and live. As a Company, we pursue four key areas of corporate social responsibility, and we also empower our employees to engage in initiatives on their own. Our four-pronged approach to ESG includes: Community Relations, Education, Green Initiatives and Diversity & Inclusion.” – James Maida, CEO
Advancing Sustainability
Reducing Resource Consumption and Waste
Global Laboratories International (GLI) understands that the environment is the heart of our world. GLI engages in green initiatives throughout its global network of offices. For example, at its world headquarters, a top-to-bottom examination of the entire building led to reductions in power usage and paper consumption.
In each of its offices, GLI promotes recycling and seeks out vendors and products with a greener composition.
GLI donates electronic waste and obsolete equipment to the Urban Renewal Corp who repurposes or recycles this equipment to support programs helping the poor and homeless in New Jersey.
Lowering Carbon Emissions
GLI is actively involved in energy savings programs like Demand Response and Synchronized Reserve. GLI also created green-friendly tools for our clients, such as GLILink, Point.Click.Transfer and Point.Click.Submit, which eliminate paperwork and reduce carbon emissions by eliminating physical shipping of devices and systems.
Recently, energy savings improvements have been made to GLI’s corporate headquarters, including high-efficiency HVAC units, interior and exterior LED lighting, energy saving window tint and automatic-off light sensors.
Strengthening Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Strengthening Employee DEI
GLI is increasing recruitment of women and minorities by placing job postings on minority and women’s interest job boards, encouraging all employees to refer qualified applicants and requesting employment agencies, when utilized, to refer qualified minorities and women.
GLI also offers counseling to assist employees in identifying promotional opportunities, training and educational programs to enhance promotions and opportunities for job rotation or transfer.
A GLI affirmative action officer has been assigned to ensure the effective implementation of the organization’s affirmative action program.
STEM Internships for Women and Minorities
Using techniques to improve recruitment and increase the number of minority and female applicants, GLI has initiated a new STEM internship for women and minorities. To drive participation, GLI met with universities with strong female STEM groups, as well as the American Indian Science and Engineering Society for indigenous student internships in Las Vegas and Colorado.
Investing in Communities
Addressing Critical Community Needs
GLI is honored to support nonprofit organizations in our host cities worldwide. In the U.S., GLI supports local chapters of numerous health-related organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.
Because GLI believes that no one should go hungry, the Company supports local food banks, pantries, and organizations such as the Salvation Army. GLI also supports a neighboring Behavioral Health Center Building Fund, where local residents receive free mental health screenings and care regardless of health insurance status.
GLI’s employees understand the importance of giving back and participate in various local events, including holiday food and toy drives, blood drives throughout the year, the United Way Day of Caring in Las Vegas, and various volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits.
Expanding Education and Career Opportunities
GLI World Headquarters in NJ participates in an annual career day and is host to high school students for career and networking events.
GLI-AGEM Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative
GLI’s dedication to upholding responsibility in the gaming industry prompted a new philanthropic partnership – The GLI-AGEM Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative. Created by the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and GLI, the multi-year effort is designed to identify worthy causes that will utilize direct contributions to flourish over the long term. The partnership contributes to causes with a lasting impact inside the gaming industry and beyond. From 2019-2020, GLI-AGEM donated $200,000 to the Dr. Robert Hunter International Problem Gambling Center.
Responsible Leadership
Establishing and Following Rigorous Business Standards
GLI realizes that as an independent testing lab, we test to ensure the integrity of the games themselves, so the integrity of the gaming industry is part of our culture and core values. We understand the importance of responsible gaming awareness and our role in delivering that message.
GLI is qualified by the World Lottery Association (WLA) to conduct WLA Responsible Gaming Independent Assessor audits and has completed numerous audits for lotteries and suppliers around the world.
Training Employees
GLI has created specialized seminars and free training courses for casino employees on responsible gaming through GLI University. In addition, GLI University stages annual regulator roundtable events and conducts regulator seminars as well as regional trainings tailored to individual clients’ needs, where responsible gaming awareness is key to the conversation and partnership.
Native American War Memorial
GLI’s ties to Indian Gaming go back to the Company’s early days. Since that time, the relationships have continued to grow, and in 2018, GLI President James Maida was honored with OIGA’s Modern Day Warrior Award in recognition of his more than 20 years of dedication to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association.
GLI and AGEM were presented with a chance to honor Native American war veterans by contributing to a memorial in Washington, D.C. The Lasting Impact Philanthropic Initiative donated $120,000 to the National Museum of the American Indian’s Native American Veterans Memorial. Drawing 24 million visitors annually, this memorial is a poignant monument and honors American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian veterans. It symbolizes the country’s respect for Native Americans’ service and patriotism.
WASHINGTON – On Monday, the American Gaming Association (AGA) released a white paper highlighting the dangers of unregulated, illegal gambling machines proliferating across the U.S. These illegal gambling machines are not subjected to meaningful testing, licensing or regulatory standards and are often tied to criminal activity, including money laundering, drug trafficking and violent crime.
Highlights of the white paper, Skilled at Deception: How Unregulated Gaming Machines Endanger Consumers and Dilute Investments in Local Economies, include:
- Illegal gambling machines do not undergo the same stringent regulatory requirements the legal gaming industry meets, including a licensing process, game testing and reporting and responsible gaming – nor are they monitored to ensure fair play for customers. Unregulated machine operators also lack training in responsible gaming, potentially luring children and those with problem gambling behaviors to use these machines.
- Recent raids of illegal gaming machines have been tied to drug trafficking, gang activity, violence and have also been linked to several major organized crime families.
To combat the spread of illegal machines, the report recommends:
- Law enforcement and policymakers need to prioritize robust enforcement of laws to root out illegal and unregulated gaming machines.
- States and communities must not authorize these machines and continue to erode regulations and permit unnecessary consumer risk.
- Businesses should actively remove illegal and unregulated games on their properties.
The regulated gaming industry and law enforcement communities share concerns about the threat illegal gambling machines pose to communities.
“History has taught us that unregulated gambling gives rise to an array of legal and social concerns and ultimately erodes public confidence in the safety and integrity of the whole gaming industry,” said Arizona Attorney General and former Director of the Arizona Department of Gaming Mark Brnovich.
“Legal gaming provides immense benefits to the communities it serves – and operating with a gaming license is a privilege that our industry takes seriously,” said AGA Vice President of Government Relations and Gaming Policy Counsel Jessica Feil. “Unfortunately, there’s been a rapid increase of unregulated gaming machines that exist in the shadows, taking advantage of loopholes and flouting the law, with little to no oversight. These machines ultimately endanger consumers and communities, fueling problem gambling and crime while drawing important tax revenue away from states.”
Background
Maintaining the integrity of the gaming industry and continuing to benefit our communities is a top priority of the AGA. Casino gaming is now a legal, regulated industry in 44 states, generating over $261 billion in economic impact and $41 billion in direct tax revenue, supporting more than 1.8 million jobs nationwide. Illegal gambling machines have been found in dozens of states and continue to bypass these laws and regulations, harming communities and consumers nationwide.
As the 2024 NFL season kicks off, the American Gaming Association projects that American adults will bet $35 billion with legal sportsbooks throughout the season, AGA’s first-ever legal wagering estimate for the league’s season.
Driven by the continued expansion and maturation of the legal sports betting industry across the U.S., 2024 is expected to be the most legally wagered-on season in the NFL’s seven seasons with legal wagering. AGA analysis conducted after the 2023 NFL season estimates that legal wagering on last year’s NFL season reached $26.7 billion.
Maine, North Carolina and Vermont have each launched new legal sports betting markets since last NFL kickoff.
Importantly, as legal sports betting grows, recent AGA data shows public support for the industry also continues to grow, with Americans increasingly seeing the industry as committed to responsibility:
- 90% of past-year sports bettors say it is important to them that the sportsbook they choose is legal and regulated.
- 88% of sports bettors say the legal industry is committed to responsible gaming and combatting problem gambling.
- 85% of sports bettors agree with the effectiveness of responsible gaming programs, up from 83% last year.
- 75% of American adults support legal, regulated sports betting in their state, up from 73% last year.
Nearly all past-year sports bettors (96%) are familiar with at least one responsible gaming resource, with 57% reporting seeing or hearing increased responsible gaming messaging in the past 12 months.
High awareness for responsible gaming resources among consumers is significantly driven by industry marketing and advertising, which three quarters (73%) of American adults say is being done responsibly—up from 68% in 2023.
"With the excitement of another NFL season upon us, Americans are placing their bets with the confidence that the legal sports betting market is prioritizing consumer protection and responsibility. As the season unfolds, the AGA and our members remain dedicated to working with leagues, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure fans have the knowledge and tools to keep sports betting a safe, fun part of the gameday experience.” - AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
Throughout the season, the AGA encourages football fans to Have A Game Plan to bet responsibly:
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Keep it social—sports betting is purely a form of entertainment for adults.
- Know the odds.
- Only play with legal, regulated operators.
Learn more at www.haveagameplan.org.
Methodology
AGA’s NFL 2024 wagering estimates are based on data from states that break out handle by sport and break down splits between college and professional football, applying multi-year averages of the annual share of national handle from March-February to project a total football handle estimate.
MGM Resorts
“Now more than ever, we at MGM Resorts are driven by a fundamental commitment to make a positive and lasting impact on our world. We actively work to benefit our communities and our neighbors, believing that our efforts in social impact and sustainability ensure the continued resiliency and relevancy of our business.” – Jyoti Chopra, Chief People, Inclusion & Sustainability Officer
Advancing Sustainability
Lowering Carbon Emissions
Climate change is a defining issue of our age. MGM Resorts is committed to “Protecting the Planet” and creating a more environmentally sustainable future by focusing on the strategic pillars of water, energy and materials.
In 2020, MGM Resorts advanced construction of its 100-megawatt utility scale solar array in North Las Vegas. With more than 330,000 panels arranged across 700 acres, the solar array powers up to 90 percent of the daytime electricity used at all MGM Resorts properties on the Las Vegas Strip — more than 65 million square feet. For comparison, the array will generate the same amount of electricity needed to power approximately 27,000 homes for a year. This array will play a major role in helping MGM Resorts meet its original climate goal (established in 2017) to reduce Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 45 percent by 2025. On opening its array in June 2021, MGM Resorts established two new 2030 climate goals: to reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 50 percent and source 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030.
Reducing Resource Consumption & Waste
MGM Resorts works to protect the planet by focusing efforts on three strategic priorities that address its main environmental footprints related to water, energy and materials. MGM Resorts recognizes that to reduce its environmental footprints, it needs to start by designing buildings that are efficient from the start, continue operating them efficiently, and hone in on actions that are likely to make the most difference.
For water, that means focusing most on reducing consumptive water use; for energy, that means using more renewables; and for materials, it means focusing on the material flows and waste associated with one of MGM Resorts’ most important product categories: food and beverage.
In addition, since much of MGM Resorts extended environmental footprint and risk is embedded in our supply chain, the Company has more directly connected its social impact and sustainability strategy with its supply chain strategy.
Strengthening Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Strengthening Employee DEI
MGM Resorts’ diversity and inclusion strategy begins with attracting, developing and retaining diverse talent and ensuring that talent has equal access to leadership opportunities. The Company continuously works to embed diversity and inclusion across its HR practices, from onboarding and mentoring to succession planning and promotion.
MGM Resorts launched the Courageous Conversations program in 2020 – a series of open forums in which leadership meets with groups of diverse employees to discuss where and how MGM Resorts can improve inclusion of diverse populations within leadership and across the workforce and to ensure that a broad range of voices and viewpoints are heard. At each meeting the conversation centered around issues of inequality and injustice in America, with an emphasis on how MGM Resorts can best use its platform externally on such matters as well as ways in which the Company can improve diversity and inclusion within its ranks and among its suppliers. In 2021, MGM Resorts added additional cohorts of employees including LatinX, Women and LGBTQ+ individuals to hear their voices as well.
Engaging Diverse Suppliers and Vendors
By actively seeking to buy from and offer mentorship to diverse suppliers, MGM Resorts ensures a more resilient supply chain and supports economic development across local communities. During the pandemic, MGM Resorts engaged more than 500 diverse suppliers- all of which are owned and operated by women, people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled persons and/or Veteran business owners. Through its Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, MGM Resorts helped more than 100 diverse small business suppliers through workshops and seminars relating to growth in turbulent times.
Investing in Communities
Delivering in Times of Crisis
During the pandemic, MGM Resorts partnered with Eagle Promotions, a minority-owned business, to make Personal Protective Kits for MGM Resorts employees and guests of the resorts. The masks were also transported to Opportunity Village, a Las Vegas nonprofit that provides programs and services for people with disabilities.
MGM Resorts’ executive chefs quickly mobilized to safely donate all available fresh food from its properties to charitable organizations serving those in need. Thanks to the tenacity of its chefs and its long-standing community partnerships, within days of shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, MGM Resorts donated more than 662,000 pounds of food— or 552,000 meals– to the communities in which it operates. In Southern Nevada, MGM Resorts donated 444,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 370,000 meals.
Throughout the rest of the U.S., MGM Resorts donated an additional 219,000 pounds of food, equivalent to 182,000 meals. During most of the month of April, MGM Resorts’ chefs cooked and donated 1,000 hot meals daily that were distributed through Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada. In total, MGM Resorts donated more than 1.1 million meals in 2020, taking MGM Resorts halfway to its goal of 5 million meals donated by 2025.
Addressing Critical Community Needs
The MGM Resorts Foundation was established in 2002 as an engagement opportunity for employees to contribute to important charitable causes. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than $100 million and supported more than 1,500 charitable organizations in U.S. communities and locations where MGM Resorts conducts business. In 2021, the MGM Resorts Foundation distributed more than $3 million dollars to local organizations. Additionally, the Community Grant benefits local communities in Southern Nevada; Detroit, Michigan; Biloxi and Tunica, Mississippi; Washington, DC metropolitan area; and Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Responsible Leadership
Protecting and Empowering Customers
MGM Resorts is dedicated to supporting responsible gaming efforts at properties nationwide. By incorporating GameSense into its service model, MGM Resorts’ guests are provided with resources and education to make informed decisions, play responsibly and keep gaming fun. For guest convenience, information is accessible online or in-person at GameSense information centers located at each property. MGM Resorts is committed to promoting public awareness, information and resources to those who believe they may have a gambling problem. As part of this commitment, MGM Resorts offers a self-limit program that allows guests to voluntarily limit themselves from certain gaming activities and privileges at all MGM Resorts properties. MGM Resorts is also a partner of AGA’s Have A Game Plan.® public service campaign.
Training Employees
MGM Resorts has partnered with the Responsible Gaming Council, the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the Cambridge Health Alliance on separate projects that aim to shape the way the Company trains employees and interacts with guests on responsible gaming.
Investing in Research and Partnering with Advocacy Groups
MGM Resorts continues to invest in research that aims to advance best practices, policy and principles in responsible gaming.
MGM Resorts has partnered with UNLV and the Cambridge Health Alliance on a multi-year project that evaluates the operation of GameSense at MGM Resorts. The objective of the research was to understand guest and employee awareness and engagement with GameSense.
MGM Resorts is proud to sponsor and support non-profit organizations, like the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, International Center for Responsible Gaming and National Council on Problem Gambling, who advocate for programs, services and research related to problem gambling.
WASHINGTON – American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller outlined his optimism for the gaming industry’s recovery in AGA’s annual State of the Industry address today at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2020.
Miller heralded the industry’s ability to rebound stronger than ever throughout his remarks. “Gaming’s continued innovation, coupled with our deep-rooted culture of compliance, have our industry on solid ground as we continue our recovery.”
Miller pointed to new AGA research showing that more Americans view gaming positively than ever before as evidence of a strong foundation for the industry’s recovery. Fifty percent of American adults have a favorable impression of the casino industry, up five points in two years. Additionally, 9 in 10 (89%) adults view gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment.
“We have built this support over many decades,” said Miller. “As gaming has grown from two states in 1978 to 44 states today, more and more Americans have gotten to know us…They recognize the positive impact we deliver: The jobs we support; the small businesses we sustain; and the tax revenue we contribute…These are the reasons Americans have embraced gaming and they will fuel gaming’s recovery.”
Miller highlighted AGA’s three priorities to unite the industry and aid gaming’s recovery:
- Building Champions on Capitol Hill: Working alongside the Congressional Gaming Caucus to advance the industry’s legislative goals, including further COVID-19 economic assistance, tax relief, and liability protections.
- Payments Modernization: Advancing payments modernization will accelerate gaming’s modernization, help limit the spread of COVID-19, and give consumers new tools to gamble responsibly.
- Growing the Legal Sports Betting Market: Supporting the expansion of legal, regulated sports betting through responsible gaming and strong regulatory frameworks is essential to driving out the illegal marketplace.
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the AGA: “While COVID-19 may have shifted our plans, we never lost our focus. If anything, the pandemic has elevated AGA’s role as the leading advocate for the American gaming industry. No matter how big the challenge, we have always worked hard to help this industry overcome it. And I’m confident we can do it again.”
View the full schedule for G2E 2020, held Oct. 27-28, here.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller sent the following industry update on June 12, 2020.
Our industry is on a steady path to recovery as more than 60 percent of America’s casinos have reopened, with many reporting higher-than-anticipated demand. It was certainly a highlight for me to see the doors open in Las Vegas, the heartbeat of American gaming, last week.
Today’s economic realities were hard to imagine even a few short months ago before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Looking at the numbers, 2020 was shaping up to be a tremendous year. U.S. commercial gaming revenue was up 10.6 percent in January and February 2020 over the same period in 2019.
These early 2020 numbers were carryovers from a markedly successful 2019, the fifth consecutive year of growth for gaming. Gaming’s expansion in 2019 is the focal point of the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) State of the States 2020. The annual report details the commercial gaming industry’s financial performance for the previous year, including analyses of the 25 states with commercial gaming operations. Notably, 2019 marked the fifth consecutive year of commercial gaming revenue growth, up 3.7 percent, to $43.6 billion.
The successes detailed in this year’s report are in stark contrast to where we are today. But it is also a great reminder of the significant role gaming plays in shoring up local and state economies and supporting the jobs and careers of nearly two million Americans. As mandated closures continue to let up, gaming will be pivotal to a quick and sustained recovery for our communities, our employees, and our customers.
Throughout the pandemic, it’s been the AGA’s commitment to keep you updated with the latest in Washington as well as to provide analysis and resources to help you navigate new business needs. Please find more details on State of the States as well as the latest resources below.
All the best,
Bill Miller
President & CEO
Record Year for Gaming Reinforces Industry’s Role as Economic and Community Driver
State of the States 2020 is the definitive economic analysis of the U.S. commercial casino industry and its significant economic impact in the 25 U.S. states with commercial gaming operations. Key findings include:
- Commercial gaming revenue topped $43.6 billion in 2019, up 3.7 percent from 2018.
- 21 of 25 commercial gaming states experienced year-over-year revenue increases, with Massachusetts (+163.1%), New Jersey (+19.5%), and Arkansas (+15.1%) reporting the largest jumps.
- The industry generated $10.2 billion in gaming taxes for state and local governments, enough to support the annual education cost for 832,000 elementary and secondary school students.
You can find the full State of States report on AmericanGaming.org as well as the companion State of Play map, which provides the report findings in an easy-to-use, interactive tool.
Next Relief Package Stalls on Capitol Hill
Formal negotiations on the next relief package have yet to begin as Senate Republicans continue to take a wait-and-see approach on the economy reopening and continuing implementation of CARES Act programs. Current activity suggests discussions could pick up in late June or early July, however, the timeline could be impacted by several factors including pressure from the Paycheck Protection Program exhausting funds, rising unemployment/expiring unemployment benefits, the start of many State fiscal years (July 1), and finding agreement on liability protection. As we await action on the next package, the AGA continues to stay engaged with our allies in the business community and on the Hill to ensure the legislation reflects our policy priorities including liability protection and expanded tax relief.
Nearly 60 Percent of U.S. Casinos Open
621 casinos across 29 states will be open for business today, 62.8% of the 989 total. This includes 306 commercial casinos (65.8% of total) and 315 tribal properties (60.1% of total). Indiana, Colorado, Ohio, and Maryland are the next states to allow reopening in the coming week.
To prepare for a safe, responsible reopening, casino operators have been rethinking every aspect of the gaming experience and establishing robust protocols to safeguard the health of guests and employees. The AGA’s new Responsibility Reopening Casino Gaming for Employees and Guests resource provides an overview of various practices that gaming companies are implementing to promote a healthy reopening environment.
To mark the 20th anniversary of Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), the American Gaming Association (AGA) hosted a roundtable in Atlantic City, NJ to highlight the industry’s commitment to this important issue.
Resources
Press Coverage Summary
CDC Gaming Reports – AGA Unites with Gaming Leaders to Underscore Industry-Wide Commitment to Responsible Gaming
CDC Gaming Reports – AGA: As gaming continues to evolve, so must responsible gaming efforts
Press of Atlantic City – American Gaming Association releases responsible gaming code