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As an important focus of the AGA’s Corporate Social Responsibility committee, a subset of the AGA membership convenes as the Responsible Gaming Task Force. The Responsible Gaming Task Force focuses on elevating responsible gaming as a key priority for the industry; solidifying AGA and its members as the leading advocate; and shaping policies that are more favorable to innovation and consumer protection.

Does stigmatizing language cause drop-out from addiction treatment? Does it keep gamblers from taking advantage of responsible gambling (RG) tools? The American Society of Addiction Medicine has led the way in proposing non- stigmatizing language for use by treatment professionals. Similarly, researchers working on Positive Play, a responsible gambling approach, have proposed changes in the language and concepts of RG. This session will provide treatment providers and responsible gambling professionals guidance on how to improve communication with clients and gamblers.

Despite its widespread use, the concept of “responsible gambling” lacks a clear definition. Consequently, debate and confusion surround the respective government, regulator, industry operator, individual, and community accountability as these stakeholders attempt to develop strategies, policies, and procedures that will protect consumers by minimizing gambling-related harms. Dr. Blaszczynski will advance the argument that stakeholders should define responsible gambling as an outcome instead of an activity or process. Responsible gambling exists when individuals gamble within personally affordable limits.

Presenter: Alex Blaszczynski, PhD, University of Sydney

As an important focus of the AGA’s Corporate Social Responsibility committee, a subset of the AGA membership convenes as the Responsible Gaming Task Force. The Responsible Gaming Task Force focuses on elevating responsible gaming as a key priority for the industry; solidifying AGA and its members as the leading advocate; and shaping policies that are more favorable to innovation and consumer protection.

LAS VEGAS – The American Gaming Association (AGA) and the Las Vegas business community today called on members of the U.S. House of Representatives to reject a proposal designed to revive licensing activities for Yucca Mountain as the nation’s nuclear waste repository. H.R. 3053, the “Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 2017,” is scheduled to be considered by the House of Representatives this week.

In their letter to congressional leaders, the business leaders wrote, “Safety and security remain a top priority for all Americans and any problems with the transport of more than 110,000 metric tons of nuclear waste to the site throughout the country, or issues with its storage there, would bring potentially devastating consequences to the local, state and national communities. Moreover, with taxes on Nevada’s tourism industry providing 42 percent of the state general fund, even a modest decline in visitors’ perception about the region could have severe negative implications for the state’s economy and future growth.”

“Some in Congress and the federal government continue to advance the short-sighted notion that the entirety of the nation’s nuclear waste should be transported over hundreds of miles through the heart of the country to a site a short drive from the Las Vegas city limits, and its 2.1 million residents and employees,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “It is particularly disappointing that Congress would use federal power to attempt to compel Nevada to house nuclear waste over the objections of the bipartisan congressional delegation, the Governor, businesses, and citizens across the Silver State.”

The letter was signed by:

Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association;
Virginia Valentine, president of the Nevada Resort Association;
Mary Beth Sewald, president and CEO of the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce;
Rossi Ralenkotter, CEO of the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority;
James Murren, chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International;
Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill U.S.;
Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming Corporation;
Mark P. Frissora, president and CEO of Caesars Entertainment;
Sheldon Adelson, chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation; and
Timothy J. Wilmott, CEO of Penn National Gaming.

To view a copy of the full letter, click here.

Background:

Yucca Mountain is located 90 miles from Las Vegas, which welcomed nearly 43 million visitors last year. Las Vegas is once again on pace to meet or break that number with over 10 million visitors already accounted for in 2018. The 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.
In April of 2017, AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman sent a letter to the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment and the Economy, expressing opposition to any attempt to restart the repository licensing process.

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.

Spread across 43 states, commercial and tribal casino operators and gaming suppliers provide diverse career opportunities, a diversified tax base and a broad set of entertainment options.

This research quantifies the economic impact of the casino gaming industry on a national level, as well as on each state with active commercial and/or tribal casino gaming: breaking down total economic impact, number of jobs supported, amount of taxes and tribal revenue share payments paid to states as well as the location of each casino.

At the close of 2018, there were 979 casino gaming locations in the United States. These are tribal gaming locations as defined by the National Indian Gaming Commission and commercial casino locations that are licensed, individual land-based casinos, riverboat casinos, racetrack casinos (racinos) and jai alai frontons.

Commercial casino locations do not include other forms of commercial gaming, such as bars, taverns or truck stops with video lottery terminals, video gaming terminals or electronic gaming devices, animal racetracks without gaming machines such as horse and dog tracks, slot-route operation locations, instant racing terminal locations or off-track betting operations, lottery/retail locations, card rooms, standalone sportsbooks, or other locations in which gaming is incidental to the location’s primary business.

American Gaming Association and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) Corporate Citizenship Center have produced first-of-its-kind research analyzing the scope of the U.S. casino gaming industry’s community impact and commitment to communities, employees and customers.

Key findings include:

Gaming industry respondents reported $367 million in charitable giving last year;
Ninety-three percent have comprehensive recycling and energy efficiency programs, 50% higher than the overall private sector;
Sixty-nine percent have an institutionalized diversity and inclusion hiring effort;
Gaming industry employees contribute more than 422,000 volunteer hours per year, nearly five-times more hours per employee than the technology industry; and
One-hundred percent of AGA member companies surveyed have a responsible gaming policy.

The research shows that the industry and AGA member companies are committed to responsibility as part of their strategic goals, and that the overall success of the gaming industry depends on how well companies can support the communities they serve. The gaming industry outpaces most private sector industries in its commitment to diverting waste from landfill and instituting green building and water conservation programs and is a leader in innovative sustainability solutions.

Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is also a major industry focus and is essential for business success and employee satisfaction. As one industry participant noted, “Society is increasingly diverse. Businesses must be diverse to have harmony. Employees, customers, suppliers, and nonprofit partners are mutually dependent on each other, and all of them are diverse. If you don’t leverage that to create business value or you are going to become extinct.”

Methodology: The Chamber Foundation analyzed the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs of AGA members, including a variety of company types and sizes, through quantitative and qualitative research. In the third quarter of 2018, USCCF and AGA surveyed and interviewed 15 AGA member respondents on the scale and scope of their corporate social responsibilities. Those companies represent 168 casino properties, 235,000 U.S. employees and $33 billion in total revenue.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $13.6 billion in Q2 2021, marking a new industry record, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. The total bested the previous record—$11.1 billion set in Q3 2019 and matched in Q1 2021—by more than 22 percent.

With nearly $24.8 billion generated to date, 2021 is close to surpassing 2020 full-year revenue ($30 billion) and on track to overtake 2019 ($43.6 billion) as the highest-grossing year ever for commercial gaming revenue.

“These first half results are truly remarkable. It is even more impressive when you consider commercial gaming revenue was at its lowest point ever just a year ago,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “This is a testament to our resilience and commitment to providing customers safe environments and world-class entertainment experiences.”

At the state level, 22 out of 25 commercial casino states saw quarterly gaming revenue increases in Q2 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2019. The majority (19 of 25) of commercial casino states outperformed their first half of 2019.

While growth in sports betting and iGaming buoyed the gaming industry over the last year, record brick-and-mortar casino revenue—up nearly 10 percent from its previous high in Q3 2019 to $11.8 billion—is strengthening the industry’s record-setting recovery. This is a result of easing capacity and amenity restrictions, coupled with continued consumer demand. While three-quarters of commercial casinos began Q2 capped at 50 percent capacity or less, nearly every commercial casino had returned to full capacity by the end of June.

Sports betting revenue declined 8 percent from the previous quarter to $889 million due to a quieter sports calendar. Despite this, the first half of 2021 has already generated more sports betting revenue ($1.8 billion) than all of 2020 ($1.5 billion).

iGaming revenue also had a strong second quarter, achieving a new quarterly revenue record of $901 million, up 15 percent from the first quarter of 2021.

“The past 18 months have proven that this industry can persevere through hard times while remaining dedicated to our customers and communities,” said Miller. “COVID-19 is not yet in the rearview mirror, but I’m confident the record first half of 2021 has laid a strong foundation for the industry’s full recovery.”

Background

30 states and the District of Columbia featured operational commercial gaming markets in Q2 2021, including casino gaming, sports betting, and iGaming.
COVID-related restrictions on casino capacity and amenities vary on a state and local level. AGA’s COVID-19 casino tracker provides casino capacity restrictions on a state-by-state basis.
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 second quarter results, ending June 30, 2021.