Washington, D.C. – American Gaming Association (AGA) Vice President of Government Relations Chris Cylke released the following statement in response to the Administration’s inclusion in its budget proposal of $120 million to restore the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository:

“AGA opposes any effort to revive Yucca Mountain as a repository and will work with the many concerned citizens, small-business operators and members of Congress to ensure that radioactive waste is never stored anywhere near the world’s premier tourist, convention and entertainment destination.

Yucca Mountain is located just 90 miles from Las Vegas, Nevada, which welcomed 42 million visitors last year. Over the past decade, the Greater Las Vegas area is one of the fastest growing in the U.S. with a population that now exceeds 2.1 million people according to an estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau. Any problems with the transport of nuclear waste to the site, or issues with its storage there, would bring potentially devastating consequences to the local, state and national economies.”

Background
In April 2017, AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment and the Economy, opposing the plan to reopen the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.

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.

Washington, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) released a new resource, Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in the Gaming Industry, a first step from its newly founded Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force which aims to bolster gaming industry efforts.

“The AGA, our members, and the entire gaming industry are committed to stamping out all forms of human trafficking,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Through the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, we will continue to bring the industry together to defeat this evil and pervasive human rights offense.”

The guide builds on efforts by hospitality and nonprofit partners and the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury to guide the industry on applying anti-human trafficking practices including:

• Educating individuals on what constitutes human trafficking, the risks it poses to the gaming industry, and how to intervene.
• Empowering gaming employees to act when they notice human trafficking.
• Preventing human trafficking from occurring at—or being facilitated through—gaming operations.
• Addressing the specific needs of gaming executives as they institute anti-trafficking policies.
• Protecting patrons and employees from human trafficking.

The resource specifically addresses areas such as sex trafficking and forced labor; trafficking myths and realities; state and federal anti-trafficking laws and enforcement; anti-money laundering measures; and best practices for preventing, spotting and responding to trafficking at commercial and tribal gaming operations.

AGA members are actively applying anti-trafficking protocols today, including displaying property signage and training employees, partnering with shelters and nonprofits, and working with law enforcement.

“While many gaming companies already have robust anti-human trafficking policies, this guide will serve as an essential tool for the industry to assess and strengthen its current protocols,” said Alex Costello, AGA’s vice president, government relations. “Today’s announcement marks the first step in the task force’s ongoing work to enhance the gaming industry’s anti-trafficking efforts.”

The task force will continue to advance industry anti-trafficking efforts in the coming months by co-hosting regional events, participating in educational sessions at Global Gaming Expo 2022 (Oct. 10-13), and driving to-be-announced activations during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January 2023.

Comprised of AGA member executives with expertise in security, hospitality, anti-money laundering compliance, legal and other specialized sectors of the gaming industry, the AGA Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force’s mission is to develop robust casino-specific tools and guidance that are practical in their application to make progress against human trafficking in gaming. Participating AGA member companies include Bally’s Corporation, Boyd Gaming, Delaware North, FireKeepers Casino Hotel, GeoComply, MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Hard Rock, South Point Las Vegas and Wynn Resorts.

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Washington, D.C. – In a letter to federal lawmakers today, American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Geoff Freeman reiterated the gaming industry’s top priorities in the evolving debate on how to create a successful legal sports betting market in the United States.

Following last week’s momentous U.S. Supreme Court decision ending the federal sports betting ban, the casino gaming industry is dedicated to building the world’s most secure and successful sports betting system. As legal, regulated sport betting expands across the country, AGA and the gaming industry will work with all stakeholders who share our commitment to eliminating the vast illegal gaming market.

Below are the priorities the gaming industry will pursue:

1. Empower State Regulation: More than 40 states and 260 jurisdictions have proven to be effective gaming regulators. AGA will be a resource to state policymakers and regulators as they consider sports betting legalization. AGA will also combat any attempts by the federal government to neuter state regulatory power.
2. Place Consumers First: AGA encourages all stakeholders to understand the intricacies of the illegal marketplace and why consumers turn to it. AGA will promote strong consumer protections – which the illegal market fails to offer – and consumer-centric conveniences such as intrastate mobile wagering.
3. Strengthen Game Integrity: Rigorous sports betting regulation strengthens game integrity, a primary aim shared by the gaming industry and sporting bodies. New technologies make it possible to track legal wagering and identify suspicious activities. The gaming industry supports establishing a national data repository to share any suspicious betting information with law enforcement, gaming regulators and sporting bodies.
4. Promote Responsible Gaming and Responsible Advertising: The gaming industry encourages effective responsible gaming programs in all jurisdictions that enact regulated sports betting. To this end, the gaming industry will voluntarily pursue the creation of a self-regulatory model to guide sports betting advertising.
5. Encourage Contracts over Statutes: Sports betting can benefit sporting bodies and gaming companies alike. The gaming industry supports strong contracts between these parties to address issues such as data and the value of other activities. The gaming industry will vigorously oppose efforts to use federal or state legislation to set basic business terms.

About AGA: The American Gaming Association is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 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 achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller sent the following industry update on May 15, 2020.

Dear Gaming Colleague:

As the country begins to open-up, the American Gaming Association (AGA) continues to advocate for gaming in Washington while focusing on providing research and resources to guide the path forward.

Below are some helpful updates on the state of the industry, what’s happening in Washington, and a few reflections on sports betting two years post-PASPA.

Stay healthy and be safe.

All the best,

Bill Miller
President & CEO

AGA Casino Tracker: 52 Casinos Now Open

To date, 52 casinos have reopened in Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Washington. Louisiana is the first major commercial casino market expected to reopen when its restrictions lift on Monday. Arkansas, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Oregon will likely also see some reopenings in the coming week while Nevada’s gaming market is expected to reopen in a phased approach in late May or early June.

The COVID-19 casino tracker is updated daily as casinos reopen. Let us know if we’re missing an update.

Industry Reopening Focused on Health & Safety

Reopening our industry requires reimagining every part of our business so that gaming employees and customers are confident their health and safety will be protected as they return. We know that every casino will have a tailored approach that aligns with CDC guidance, state and local directives, and the latest public health advice. Watch yesterday’s interview with Cheddar on reopening the industry.

We are focused on providing research and resources to inform the industry as it develops reopening plans to share with regulators and the public. Visit AmericanGaming.org for the latest.

ICYMI: The AGA collaborated with the U.S. Travel Association and dozens of other travel groups on the development of health and safety guidance to help the hospitality industry navigate this new normal. The guidance, reviewed by public health experts, focuses on six main areas for travel businesses.

AGA’s Next Priorities on The Hill

This week, House Democrats unveiled the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act, a $3 trillion proposal that provides nearly $1 trillion to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to pay workers such as first responders, health workers, and teachers. Once this legislation clears the House, it is not expected to be considered by the Senate. It does, however, demonstrate the Democrats’ priorities as negotiations with Senate Republicans and the White House occur in the coming weeks.

Our efforts are focused on advocating for the following provisions in the next legislative package:

• Ensuring government loan programs are accessible to all segments of the gaming industry.
• Advancing measures that protect AGA members from additional economic harm and enhance financial solvency.
• Policies to aid the industry’s recovery over both the short and long-term.

Currently, there’s a wide gap between Democrats and Republicans on the big issues––and negotiations have yet to begin. It could be well into June before the parties come to an agreement and pass a new relief package.

Looking at Sports Betting Two Years Post-PASPA

Yesterday marked two years since the Supreme Court’s decision to invalidate the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Despite any temporary setbacks from COVID-19, the growth of the U.S. legal market over these last two years is truly remarkable:

• 21 states plus the District of Columbia have joined Nevada in legalizing and regulating sports betting.
• Americans have legally wagered nearly $22 billion on sporting events, generating upwards of $190 million in tax revenue.
• An estimated 100 million American adults will be able to place a legal sports bet in their home state by the end of 2020.

With sports betting still on the docket in 16 states, the AGA expects policymakers to take a serious look at expanding sports betting to fill budget gaps caused by COVID-19.

This weekend marks the official return of U.S. live sports with NASCAR resuming races on Sunday. Yesterday, the AGA held a webinar with Scott Warfield, NASCAR’s Managing Director, Gaming, to discuss iRacing and the future of sports betting.

The AGA continues to prioritize our efforts to stamp out the illegal market. But everyone in the sports betting ecosystem has a role to play––including the media. Read more on LinkedIn.

Washington, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA), in partnership with RG24seven Virtual Training, launched a first-of-its-kind, free online training to educate gaming industry employees on how to combat human trafficking. The announcement comes on National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.

Available to all gaming companies beginning today, the free training is based on AGA’s Guide to Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking and draws on expertise from  AGA’s Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, nonprofits and law enforcement.

“Combating human trafficking is integral to our industry’s commitment to the communities in which we operate,” said AGA Vice President, Government Relations Alex Costello. “The AGA is proud to lead the industry’s fight against this abhorrent crime and this free training empowers employees at all levels to spot and prevent cases of human trafficking.”

“Responsibility in gaming means more than promoting safer gambling—it means a commitment to all forms of customer and community safety,” said RG24seven CEO Wendy Anderson. “We’re honored to work with the AGA and advance the gaming industry’s efforts with the launch of today’s training.”

Presented by AGA and industry experts, the training utilizes videos and quizzes to educate learners, who will receive a verified certificate upon successful completion. To request organization-wide access to the training, gaming company executives, managers and other representatives should contact .

In addition to launching the training, the AGA is participating in Human Trafficking Prevention Month with the release of an updated gaming-specific toolkit for combating human trafficking. AGA representatives will also be participating in anti-trafficking events throughout the month hosted by the University of Maryland’s SAFE Center, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking, and a congressional briefing hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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WASHINGTON – American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller today announced the promotion of three members of the Association’s senior staff, reflecting an enhanced focus on industry modernization, communications and advocacy.

• Dan Bretl will assume the position of senior vice president, strategy and operations;
• Casey Clark will assume the position of senior vice president, strategic communications; and
• Chris Cylke will assume the position of senior vice president, government relations.

“These promotions recognize the contributions these three leaders have already made to our organizational and industry success, and their ability to lead functions that are fundamental to AGA being the best steward of our industry, and advocate for our members,” said Miller.

Independently, two AGA executives will be leaving the Association in July to pursue new opportunities. Sara Slane, senior vice president, public affairs, is launching an advisory firm assisting sports and media companies, and Stacy Papadopoulos, senior vice president and general counsel, has accepted the position of general counsel and senior vice president of operations and special initiatives at the Grocery Manufacturers Association.

“The AGA accomplished a great deal during Sara and Stacy’s tenure, and much of our organizational success is to their credit. Their contributions helped reshape and advance the organization and enable some of the most significant policy victories in our organization’s history,” continued Miller. “Our team, our members and the entire gaming industry benefited greatly from their many contributions.”

Bretl, Clark and Cylke were previously vice presidents at the AGA and will be assuming greater responsibilities in their areas of expertise.

“Dan, Casey and Chris have decades of hospitality, advocacy and association leadership experience that will continue to be valued assets for me, for the AGA staff, and for our members as we continue to advance the gaming industry’s interests across the country.”

About the American Gaming Association:

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 – American Gaming Association (AGA) Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Sara Slane issued the following statement regarding Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s statement on legalized sports betting.

“The casino gaming industry shares Senator Schumer’s goal in preserving the integrity of sporting events and providing consumer protections. Federal oversight of sports betting was an abject failure for 26 years only contributing to a thriving illegal market with no consumer protections and safeguards. New federal mandates are a nonstarter.

“The casino industry is working with stakeholders to ensure the proper protections for consumers, and the integrity of bets and sporting contests are included in state policy, universally implemented by all operators in those states, and overseen by effective state and tribal gaming regulators.”

About AGA: The American Gaming Association 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.

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WASHINGTON – American Gaming Association (AGA) Senior Vice President, Public Affairs Sara Slane issued the following statement regarding Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s statement on legalized sports betting.

“The casino gaming industry shares Senator Schumer’s goal in preserving the integrity of sporting events and providing consumer protections. Federal oversight of sports betting was an abject failure for 26 years only contributing to a thriving illegal market with no consumer protections and safeguards. New federal mandates are a nonstarter.

“The casino industry is working with stakeholders to ensure the proper protections for consumers, and the integrity of bets and sporting contests are included in state policy, universally implemented by all operators in those states, and overseen by effective state and tribal gaming regulators.”

About AGA: The American Gaming Association 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.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) announced today that it has added six new companies as Board-level members, welcoming BMM Testlabs, Choctaw Casinos and Resorts, Golden Entertainment, GVC Holdings PLC, Paddy Power Betfair and The Stars Group to the AGA Board of Directors.

“More than ever before, AGA’s diverse membership reflects the broad interests of the casino gaming industry,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of AGA. “Adding these six industry leaders will help our ability to serve as an effective advocate for the industry as a whole, and we’re excited to add their expertise to our Board.”

• BMM Testlabs: BMM Testlabs is a highly experienced private independent gaming testing laboratory working in the gaming industry globally for over 36 years.
   
• Choctaw Casinos and Resorts: Owned and operated by the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Choctaw Casinos & Resorts feature a variety of gaming, hotel and resort properties throughout southeastern Oklahoma.
   
• Golden Entertainment: Golden Entertainment, Inc. owns and operates gaming properties across two divisions – resort and casino operations and distributed gaming. The company operates approximately 16,000 gaming devices, 114 table games, and 5,162 hotel rooms, and provides jobs for more than 7,200 team members.
   
• GVC Holdings PLC: GVC Holdings PLC (LSE: GVC) is a multinational sports betting and gaming group. GVC is a constituent member of the FTSE 250 with its shares traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. GVC is licensed to operate in New Jersey through bwin.party.
   
• Paddy Power Betfair: Paddy Power Betfair is one of the world’s leading sports betting and gambling operators, formed from the 2016 merger of Paddy Power and Betfair Group PLC
   
• The Stars Group: The Stars Group is a leading provider of technology-based products and services in the global gaming and interactive entertainment industries. Through its Stars Interactive Group gaming division, The Stars Group ultimately owns gaming and related consumer businesses and brands, including PokerStars, PokerStars Casino, BetStars and Full Tilt.

In addition to joining as a Board-level member, BMM Testlabs and AGA have entered into a multi-year strategic alliance to provide the AGA and its members value through increased engagement and expertise sharing on regulatory issues. BMM has been a long-standing AGA member and actively engaged on AGA’s Sports Betting Task Force and Next Generation Gaming Policy Working Group. Through this strategic relationship, BMM will play a greater role in helping to support AGA strategic priorities, including driving an efficient regulatory reform process and supporting policies that promote industry reinvestment and innovation.

“We’re excited to be working more closely with the AGA and its membership to help advance industry priorities like regulatory reform,” said BMM Global President and CEO Martin Storm. “As our industry seeks to learn more about these new opportunities, we look forward to educating key stakeholders including regulators, legislators, suppliers and operators across the global gaming landscape.”

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 achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.

WASHINGTON – American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller delivered remarks today on the future of gaming’s recovery, policy developments for gaming in Washington, DC, and AGA’s priorities for 2021.

Miller cited vaccine distribution, responsible reopening, and consumer confidence as reasons for optimism in the coming year, “There’s huge pent-up demand for gaming—and I’m upbeat about the second half of the year in particular. As vaccines roll out, people will be excited to travel, hungry for entertainment, and desperate to get out and have fun again. That’s an environment where gaming will thrive.”

AGA research shows one-in-three American adults plan to visit a casino in 2021—the highest rate since the AGA began tracking last March. Eighty percent of future casino visitors agree the industry has done a good job at safely reopening.

Miller emphasized that the AGA’s singular agenda in 2021 is accelerating the gaming industry’s recovery, highlighting four areas of focus:

• Securing additional COVID-19 economic relief for the industry through temporary liability protections, investment in travel and tourism, supportive tax policy, and additional tribal relief.
• Developing gaming champions on Capitol Hill and in the Biden administration.
• Blocking harmful policies and advance specific reforms to enhance industry competitiveness.
• Using proprietary research and strategic communication efforts to ensure the gaming industry is heard.

“We come into 2021 with a strong foundation, a clear focus, record levels of support among Americans, and a loyal customer base that wants the excitement only gaming can deliver,” concluded Miller.

Miller’s remarks referenced three new AGA resources that were released today:

• AGA’s Accelerating Gaming’s Recovery priorities, which provide industry stakeholders with a detailed outline of the association’s 2021 priorities.
• Casinos & Communities: COVID-19 Response, which spotlights first-hand accounts of how the gaming industry has supported its communities, aided frontline workers, and responsibly reopened throughout the pandemic.
• Miller’s letter to the 117^th Congress, which highlights AGA’s economic importance to the U.S. economy and details gaming’s federal policy agenda for accelerating recovery.