AGA Vice President Alex Costello issued the following statement on the U.S. Treasury 2024 National Money Laundering Risk Assessment:
“It is our long-held view that new forms of legal gaming, like online sports betting and iGaming, require specific BSA guidance to ensure the U.S. financial system is protected from money laundering. In the absence of such guidance, AGA members have built on decades of experience from robust casino compliance to create and deploy AML controls for online gaming. Our members stand ready to work with the Department of Treasury to ensure that legal, online operators have the guidance needed to build on our current programs and meet the high standards already employed by the casino industry.
This is in stark contrast to the illegal, offshore marketplace. These predatory websites—which rely on cryptocurrency and employ no AML safeguards—pose the most significant risk of gambling-related financial crimes. The federal government must prioritize enforcement against these bad actors to protect American consumers and the U.S. financial system.”
This meeting will focus on the effects of COVID-19 on the gaming industry, provide analysis of the specific provisions of the CARES Act that are available to AGA members, discuss where we go from here, and importantly, answer any questions AGA members might have.
American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller released the following statement on the U.S. Senate’s passage of the CARES Act:
“The American Gaming Association (AGA) applauds the bipartisan action taken by the U.S. Senate on the CARES Act, which will bring meaningful relief for employees, employers, and tribal governments during this unprecedented public health crisis.
“This bipartisan Senate bill is an important step to preserve the gaming industry’s ability to continue to serve as a valuable job creator and community partner. We urge the House to move swiftly to pass this legislation.
“With almost all of the country’s commercial and tribal gaming facilities closed, an estimated 650,000 direct gaming employees are idled. If the industry remains shut down for two months, it will jeopardize the livelihoods of those individuals as well as the 17,000 gaming supplier jobs and 350,000 American small business workers supported by the gaming industry. In total, shutting gaming down for two months will cost the American economy $43.5 billion in lost economic activity, underscoring the need for swift action.
“The AGA will continue to engage with Congressional and administration leadership on additional measures to respond to this rapidly evolving crisis.”
As part of its Get to Know Gaming series, the American Gaming Association (AGA) hosted a panel discussion at the National Minority Supplier Development Council Conference & Business Opportunity Exchange (NMSDC) to highlight casino gaming’s commitment to working with minority and women-owned small businesses.
Geoff Freeman, AGA president and CEO, commented on the event, “The gaming industry’s commitment to a diversified workforce has never been stronger. AGA is proud to partner with the National Minority Supplier Diversity Council and we look forward to actively supporting their mission to advance business connections that count for many years to come.”
The panel was a continuation of the AGA’s American Gaming Small Business Jobs Tour, which highlighted several minority and women-owned businesses throughout the year, including:
- Eastern Food Services, a minority-owned business in Laurel, Maryland that works with MGM National Harbor to provide MLife water bottles to the property.
- St. Louis-based Regents Maintenance Supply, a minority-owned janitorial supplier and equipment provider to the region’s casinos.
- Edwards & Hill Office Furniture, a minority-owned office furniture supply and installation firm in Annapolis, Maryland that works closely with Maryland Live Casino.
Each company said their business grew exponentially thanks to their work with the gaming industry.
As part of its Small Business Tour, the AGA released The Gaming Industry’s Impact on Small Business Development in the United States, a report examining nearly a dozen U.S. gaming markets and assessing casino gaming’s direct and indirect impact on local small businesses. The study concluded that while gaming’s widespread impact is felt in markets across the country, it makes an outsized impact in small to mid-sized communities where local businesses work to integrate into gaming operations.
Nationwide, the report concluded that the casino gaming industry generates $52 billion in annual revenue for American small businesses and supports $13 billion in small business employee wages, amounting to 350,000 jobs. Upwards of half of casino industry-supported jobs are at non-gaming businesses such as local restaurants and shops that see an increase in traffic from nearby casino properties. In addition, $52 billion in annual small business revenues go toward real estate, finance, health care, STEM, manufacturing, information technology, and other industries.
Small Business Impact
Along with Freeman, the day’s panel included Stacey Taylor, SVP & chief procurement officer, MGM Resorts International; Jessica Rosman, vice president of procurement, Caesars; Renee Boyce, president, CEO and founder, My Next Career Path Staff, LLC.; Jacci Woods, VP of public relations and community affairs, MotorCity Casino Hotel; Paul Jenkins, MiG Construction; and Shaundell Newsome, founder, Sumnu Marketing.
Media Highlights
Photo Gallery
WASHINGTON – Fans in legal sports betting states will see in-arena responsibility messaging due to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) new public service campaign designed to educate fans and consumers about responsible sports betting practices.
The Have a Game Plan™, Bet Responsibly campaign is currently live in Capital One Arena in Washington, DC and T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV, with plans to launch in other sports betting markets soon. Through the campaign, the AGA is leading the gaming industry in responsible sports betting promotion, both in key markets and nationally. The effort also focuses on bolstering responsible gaming engagement from sports leagues, teams, and other new entrants into the sports betting ecosystem.
“This is a watershed moment for sports betting in the United States,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “Roughly 100 million Americans will be able to legally wager on sports in their state by the end of this year. It’s more important than ever that the gaming industry, and our new partners in the sports betting ecosystem, are proactive in equipping patrons with the tools they need to engage in these offerings in a responsible manner.”
The campaign focuses on four responsible sports betting principles:
- Set a budget and stick to it.
- Keep it social: play with friends, family, and colleagues.
- Be informed: learn the details of the games you’re playing.
- Play with trusted licensed, regulated operators.
“By encouraging consumers to have a game plan when they wager, the industry is making good on its commitment to instill responsibility as a key tenant of every new legal sports betting market,” added Miller.
“When it comes to legal sports betting, nothing can be more important than responsibility,” said Jim Van Stone, president, business operations and chief commercial officer of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “Monumental Sports is proud to support the AGA’s Have a Game Plan™ campaign in Capital One Arena and establish a high bar for responsibility, even before legal sports betting launches in Washington, DC.”
“The Golden Knights are pleased to work with the American Gaming Association to extend our state’s longstanding commitment to responsibility by encouraging all of our fans to Have a Game Plan™,” said Vegas Golden Knights President Kerry Bubolz. “Gaming should always be enjoyed responsibly. We look forward to working with the AGA on educating our fans and reinforcing this messaging during our home games at The Fortress.”
Background
- On the first anniversary of the invalidation of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) last May, the AGA and its members announced self-regulation of sports betting advertising.
- Fourteen states now offer legal, regulated sports betting, with six more states and the District of Columbia poised to open legal markets in the coming months.
- Americans have legally wagered more than $19 billion on sports nationwide since PASPA was overturned, generating $175 million in tax revenue to state and local governments.
- The AGA’s interactive sports betting map enables fans to stay up to date on where sports betting is legally available.
The campaign announcement coincides with Problem Gambling Awareness Month. The AGA and its members are committed to providing consumers with responsible gaming education and resources to help keep sports betting and other gaming activities a form of fun, adult entertainment.
The American Gaming Association is excited to announce the transformation of our renowned CEO Roundtable into the Executive Summit.
The new AGA Executive Summit offers the unique opportunity to engage with CEOs, C-suite leaders and senior executives in a private setting, deliberate on pressing issues, and set the association’s agenda.
AGA Executive Summit is taking place from March 6-7, 2024 in Newport Beach, CA.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Maureen Beddis at
Washington, D.C. – Q3 2023 marked the U.S. commercial gaming industry’s best third quarter on record, generating $16.17 billion, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. The total is up 6.1 percent year-over-year and represents the 11th straight quarter of annual revenue growth.
Q3 2023 also marks the second-highest grossing commercial gaming quarter of all-time, behind Q1 2023. Despite early indicators of a slowdown in the fourth quarter, the industry is poised for a third straight record year, pacing 9.9 percent ahead of 2022 through September.
“With growth across land-based and online gaming, we are delivering career opportunities for millions of Americans and strong economic contributions to communities across the country through increased tax revenue,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Our sustained momentum reflects gaming as a first-choice entertainment option for millions of American adults.”
State and local governments in gaming states saw an influx of direct gaming taxes in the third quarter. Commercial gaming operators paid an estimated $3.43 billion in taxes tied directly to gaming revenue, an increase of 4.7 percent year-over-year.
Industry revenue grew year-over-year across all verticals in Q3 2023, with both land-based casino and iGaming generating all-time quarterly records. As expected, the industry’s pace of growth slowed for a second consecutive quarter due to tougher year-over-year comparisons.
Combined traditional slot machine and table game revenue reached $12.49 billion for the quarter, up 1.8 percent year-over-year, while iGaming grossed $1.52 billion, up 26 percent year-over-year.
Combined in-person and online sports betting also recorded a strong quarter, with revenue up 22.8% percent year-over-year to $2.15 billion. This growth was mostly driven by Maryland (online), Massachusetts, Nebraska and Ohio – states that were not operational a year ago. The vertical is set for a new record year with Americans wagering $79 billion through the first nine months of 2023, a 32.7 percent increase from last year.
“Americans continue to migrate their action to the protections of legal, regulated sportsbooks in record numbers. This sustained demand only reinforces the need for federal and state enforcement against illegal, offshore operators,” added Miller.
Background
- AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker provides state-by-state and cumulative insight into the U.S. commercial gaming industry’s financial performance based on state revenue reports. This issue highlights Q3 2023 results.
- 35 states and the District of Columbia featured operational commercial gaming markets in Q3 2023 with legal casino gaming, sports betting or iGaming.
- AGA’s State of Play Map charts gaming’s economic impact, industry regulations and casino locations on a state-by-state basis for both the commercial and tribal gaming sectors.
About the AGA
As the national trade group representing the U.S. casino industry, the American Gaming Association (AGA) fosters a policy and business environment where legal, regulated gaming thrives. The AGA’s diverse membership of commercial and tribal casino operators, sports betting and iGaming companies, gaming suppliers, and more lead the $329 billion industry and support 1.8 million jobs across the country.
WASHINGTON – The American Gaming Association (AGA) will host a press call Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 11 a.m. ET, to discuss new polling data on Americans’ betting plans for Super Bowl LIV, as well as projections for the sports betting landscape in 2020.
WHAT: Press call to discuss Super Bowl LIV betting projections and the future of U.S. sports betting.
WHO: Bill Miller, AGA president and CEO
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020 | 11 a.m. ET
MEDIA: You can register for the call here.
WASHINGTON – The American Gaming Association (AGA) released updated Best Practices for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance today, which reflect the industry’s leading commitment to compliance and guide casinos’ efforts to protect the U.S. financial system from money laundering and other forms of illicit finance.
In 2014, gaming became the first industry to collectively establish a comprehensive set of best practices for AML compliance. The Best Practices and AGA’s Bank Secrecy Act compliance efforts have been commended by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
Based on FinCEN’s guidance and enforcement action takeaways, the Treasury Department’s National Money Laundering Risk Assessment, and the Office of Foreign Assets Control’s updated compliance guidelines, the updated Best Practices contain a more robust risk assessment section, as well as enhanced Know Your Customer/Customer Due Diligence measures.
“As one of the most highly regulated industries in the United States, it is imperative we take every possible step to discourage illicit behavior and safeguard the integrity of the casino industry,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “Through our ongoing partnership with FinCEN, the Treasury Department, and law enforcement, our industry continues to be a leader in compliance.”
Additional updates to the Best Practices include:
- A continued commitment to a strong culture of compliance and the importance of industry engagement with government and law enforcement.
- A deepened analysis and updated recommendations regarding new and emerging forms of gaming, including the expanding U.S. sports betting market and interactive (mobile) gaming.
Washington, D.C. — The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced the expansion of its Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign with the introduction of a fifth pillar: “Keep Your Cool.” This new pillar reinforces the campaign’s mission to promote responsible sports wagering by emphasizing athlete harassment is never appropriate.
The announcement comes as data highlights the growing effectiveness of responsible gaming programs across the country. According to recent research, 66% of Americans believe the gaming industry’s responsible gaming initiatives are effective, up from 59% in 2023. Among those who actively participate in gaming, 79% of physical casino players and 85% of sports bettors agree these programs are working, including an impressive 73% of young bettors aged 18-24.
“Responsible gaming efforts like Have A Game Plan and other proactive efforts by legal operators are resonating with consumers and making a difference,” said Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA. “‘Keep Your Cool’ builds on this momentum by reminding bettors that a betting result – good or bad – is not an invitation to criticize a team, official, or athlete.”
Since its launch in 2019, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ has educated bettors through four foundational pillars:
- Set a Budget: Establish and stick to a financial limit.
- Keep It Social: Bet responsibly as part of a shared activity.
- Know the Odds: Know the terminology and understand risks before placing bets.
- Play Legally: Use regulated, legal betting platforms.
The new “Keep Your Cool” pillar complements these principles by promoting sportsmanship and emphasizing the social aspects of sports betting:
- Respect the Game: Winning and losing are part of sports betting, nobody is perfect; the result of a bet should not prompt negative actions – in person or online – towards athletes and officials.
- Stay Focused on Having Fun: Sports betting is entertainment.
NASCAR, an early supporter of Have A Game Plan®, underscored the importance of the new pillar. “At NASCAR, we believe responsible gaming enhances the overall fan experience,” said Joe Solosky, Managing Director of Sports Betting at NASCAR. “‘Keep Your Cool’ reflects our shared commitment to encouraging fans to bet responsibly while maintaining a respectful approach to the sport they love.”
With responsible gaming messaging resonating stronger than ever, Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ continues to foster a more enjoyable betting environment for fans. For more information on the campaign and responsible gaming resources, visit haveagameplan.org.
About Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™
Have a Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ is a national initiative designed to educate sports fans on the fundamentals of responsible sports betting. Launched in 2019, the campaign encourages bettors to set a budget, keep betting social, understand the odds, play with trusted and licensed operators, and keep your cool. Supported by sports leagues, teams, media companies, and gaming operators from across the country, Have A Game Plan® reflects the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming and fostering a positive gambling environment. Learn more at haveagameplan.org.