Washington – Among Americans familiar with unregulated “skill” machines, a decisive majority recognize that these devices are games of chance, not skill, according to new American Gaming Association data. Two-thirds (65%) of those who are familiar with “skill” games say that they are no different from slot machines where wins are based on random chance, and that even a skilled player cannot reliably influence the outcome.

“Unregulated machine manufacturers have built their businesses by duping consumers and small businesses while avoiding taxes, oversight and consumer protections,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “These results are further evidence that Americans see these machines as a threat that should be eliminated, not regulated.”

“Skill” machines are often found in convenience stores, bars, strip malls and other community establishments, operating outside of the regulated gaming marketplace. Previous AGA research estimates that 580,651 unregulated gambling machines exist in the U.S., constituting 40 percent of all gambling machines nationwide.

The survey also reveals those familiar with “skill” games overwhelmingly view the machines as negative influences in their communities:

• 71 percent say “skill” machines lack the player protections that are available to players in casinos.
• 64 percent agree “skill” machines are too easily accessible to children.
• 56 percent say “skill” games increase the risk of crime and endanger employees and customers of businesses where devices are located.

Upon learning that “skill” machines are taxed at a far lower rate and lack the same regulatory oversight as casino slot machines, two-thirds of Americans familiar with “skill” games (64%) express concern about the presence of such devices in their communities.

“Keeping America’s gaming industry strong, safe and responsible can only be done through the robust infrastructure of the well-established legal market, not by rewarding bad actors with half-measures that fail to address the dangers of unregulated gambling,” continued Miller.  

The new AGA data comes as the AGA and other industry stakeholders testify today during a Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Policy Committee hearing on the presence of “skill” games in the state, hosted by Chairwoman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee Senator Katie Muth. The hearing will be held at 11am ET at the Radnor Township Municipal building in Wayne, PA (301 Iven Ave., Wayne, PA 19087) and can be streamed online here.

Background

• While most Americans see “skill” games as similar to traditional casino slots, AGA findings show for every dollar bet by consumers, regulated machines in Pennsylvania keep 7.7 cents on average, while unregulated machines across the country keep 25 cents.
• Americans wager $109 billion each year with unregulated “skill” machines according to AGA estimates, at an annual cost of $8.7 billion in state taxes and $27 billion in legal gaming revenue.
• In 2022, the legal gaming industry generated a record $13.49 billion in direct gaming tax revenue paid to state and local governments, not including billions more paid in income, sales and other taxes.
• Policymakers, regulators, consumers and gaming industry stakeholders and allies can find resources to join the fight against illegal gambling at StopIllegalGambling.org.

Methodology
Kantar, on behalf of the AGA, conducted an online survey from August 11-18, 2023, among a nationally representative sample of 2,002 American voters aged 21 and over. The margin of error is +/- 2 percent and greater among subgroups.

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 $261 billion industry and support 1.8 million jobs across the country.

The International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) will hold its 40th annual International Gaming Summit June 20 – 22, 2023 at the Culloden Estate and Spa in Belfast, Northern Ireland. As a premier event that brings together leaders from all global gaming sectors, the Summit will provide operators, suppliers, attorneys, investors, bankers, regulators and other advisor delegates with an unparalleled opportunity to meet and discuss the most important issues facing gaming.

Tuesday, June 20 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Grey Market Exposure and Suitability Under Scrutiny: How Grey Can You Go?
Continued M&A activity and market consolidation in the industry and the expansion of new US markets places the foreign activities of operators and suppliers under the microscope, highlighting the need for a robust approach to the legal and regulatory risks presented by grey market gaming. Following industry news about activities in unregulated and illegal markets, this panel will consider the risks attached to grey market exposure, the potential adverse consequences for businesses and investors, the status of grey markets in key markets in the US, EU and UK, protection strategies and the risk of the black market including the fallout for consumer protection and responsible gambling.

Thursday, June 22 | 11:30 – 12:30 p.m.

As Online Gambling Grows, So Does the Financial Crime Risk: A Look at Financial Crime Detection and Prevention Best Practices
With extensive anti-money laundering compliance programs rigidly followed by bricks and mortar operators to ensure compliance with government requirements, the attention is now shifting to whether current measures used to detect online financial crime and fraud are sufficient to handle online gambling’s rapid expansion.

Featuring financial crime experts from the US, UK and EU, this panel will consider whether the boom in online gambling across the US creates opportunities for criminals to launder money or engage in other criminal acts like fraud. Next, the panelists will reflect on lessons learned in the UK and across Europe, with emerging best practices that could be applied in the US.

WASHINGTON – In testimony this morning at the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations hearing, “Post-PASPA: An Examination of Sports Betting in America,” Sara Slane, senior vice president of public affairs at the American Gaming Association (AGA), emphasized that federal oversight of sports betting is unnecessary in ongoing efforts to create effective legal sports betting markets in the United States. 

Highlights of Slane’s opening remarks include:

“Because of the active, robust state and regulatory tribal gaming oversight, gaming is one of the most strictly regulated industries in America. Right now, over 4,000 gaming regulators with budgets that exceed $1.3 billion dollars oversee the gaming industry.”

In partnership with teams, leagues and regulators, gaming operators have successfully protected the integrity of both bets and competitions for decades in Nevada. AGA’s continued position of support for state and tribal regulators was echoed in testimony by Nevada Gaming Control Board Chairwoman Becky Harris.

“I don’t think that right now is the time for any kind of federal engagement with regard to gambling,” said Chairwoman Harris. “States do a great job in every area including sports betting and we’ve just begun to see the roll out in other states. Nevada has a comprehensive regulatory structure that has been refined over decades, and we have a lot of integrity in our process.”

Gaming is largely regulated by state and tribal governments across the country.

“Just as Congress has refrained from regulating lotteries, slot machines, table games and other gambling products, it should leave sports betting oversight to the states and tribes that are closest to the market,” continued Slane. “With such robust and rigorous regulatory oversight at both the state and federal levels, there is no need to overcomplicate or interfere with a system that is already working.”

Click here to read Slane’s written testimony and here to view her opening remarks.

Background:

Transforming the illegal, underground sports betting market into an open, legal market under state and tribal regulatory oversight will accomplish these critical public policy goals:

• Protect consumers – by ensuring that sports betting is fair, safe, transparent and accountable;
• Increase transparency – by giving state and tribal regulators the power to oversee betting;
• Enhance sports integrity – by providing regulators, sports leagues and law enforcement with the technology, insight and tools they need to monitor, identify and shut down any suspicious or illegal betting activity; and
• Generate jobs and tax revenues – by giving communities new ways to boost local economies.

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.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released the 2018 edition of State of the States: The AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry, AGA’s flagship publication. The annual report provides a comprehensive overview of the commercial casino industry and the significant economic impact it has in the 24 U.S. states with commercial gaming operations.

Key findings from the 2018 State of the States report include:

• The commercial gaming industry brought in $40.28 billion in gaming revenue in 2017, a 3.4 percent increase over 2016;
• In 2017, states received $9.23 billion in revenue from commercial gaming taxes alone; and
• 20 commercial casino states experienced revenue increases in 2017, reflecting strong macroeconomic trends and sustained job growth in most parts of the country.

AGA’s annual State of the States report includes state-by-state analyses of revenue, tax data and wage and employment information from the previous year. For the first time, the 2018 edition combines two of AGA’s signature publications: State of the States and U.S. Gaming Industry Review – into one comprehensive overview of the 24 U.S. states with commercial casino gaming. The report also provides a state-by-state breakdown of the legality of types of gaming and number of casinos, as well as a look at the primary competition faced by casinos in each state and summarizes the year’s major gaming policy discussions relevant to gaming operators and suppliers.

For more than 30 years, the Gaming Hall of Fame has recognized leaders who have distinguished themselves through significant contributions to the gaming industry. Now more than ever, it’s important to highlight and recognize the strong leaders who helped the industry navigate and recover from one of the most challenging years the industry has faced.

Nominees will be announced

Nomination Process
Hundreds of qualified candidates are reviewed annually by an independent panel of gaming executives and narrowed down to the most outstanding individuals representing the gaming industry. These men and women are chosen based upon their career achievements, community involvement, and innovative contributions to the industry.

Benefits for Recipients
The 2021 Gaming Hall of Fame inductees will be honored at the 32nd Annual Gaming Hall of Fame reception at the Global Gaming Expo taking place on October 5, 2021.

Join us for an AGA member webinar, May 25 at 1:00 PM ET to get to know the AGA’s research team and learn about our recent advertising research and expanding member data resources, including:

Sports Betting Advertising
As sports betting spreads to more than half the country so does the battle for new customer acquisitions, often driven by high-profile advertising campaigns. While the campaigns in some markets feel ubiquitous, just how much gaming advertising is there? How does it compare to the DFS advertising levels we saw a few years ago? Where do US advertising levels stand compared to countries that have seen a backlash? New AGA research sheds light on the gaming advertising landscape.

Gaming Revenue Trends
The AGA has built out a robust tracking capability around commercial gaming revenue in each state, broken down by gaming vertical and other metrics. While a small portion of this is made public through our Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker, we’ll walk members through the full data set available to them, highlighting gaming revenue trends over the past year.

Consumer Perceptions and Casino Visitation Plans
Members will receive an update on the AGA’s ongoing tracking of consumer perceptions and casino visitation plans.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller sent the following industry update on April 24, 2020.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) and our industry allies have fought tirelessly over the last month to correct the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) antiquated policy that precluded gaming companies from rightfully qualifying for needed relief. Today, the SBA released revised regulatory guidelines that allow all size-eligible gaming entities to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program. We are pleased that the rules released today make small gaming companies eligible for this critical CARES Act relief program.

I’m grateful to President Trump and the administration for recognizing that commercial and tribal gaming industry employees deserve the same support available to other small businesses. This wouldn’t have been possible if it were not for the significant, sustained efforts of members of Congress to amplify the need for changes to the guidelines to get small gaming operators and their employees through this challenging time.

Importantly, Congress approved $310 billion in new funding to refresh the Paycheck Protection Program and an additional $174 billion in resources for small businesses, hospitals, and testing programs, which President Trump just signed into law.

Policymakers plan to reconvene in early May to consider a fourth COVID-19 relief package and we are working diligently to communicate gaming’s priorities. At the same time, the AGA is working with our member companies on resources and information to guide reopening efforts when it is safe and healthy to do so.

As always, we’ll keep you updated with the most relevant information and tools via email and on AmericanGaming.org. Stay healthy and be safe.

WASHINGTON – The Small Business Administration (SBA) released revised regulatory guidelines today that permit size-eligible small gaming entities to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program. American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller released the following statement on the updated regulations:

“In the nearly one month since the CARES Act was enacted to provide economic relief to blunt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Gaming Association and our allies have fought tirelessly to correct the Small Business Administration’s antiquated policy that precluded gaming companies from qualifying for loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. We are pleased that the new regulatory guidelines released today make small gaming companies eligible for this critical program just as Congress has replenished its funding.

“I’m grateful to President Trump and his administration for recognizing that commercial and tribal gaming industry employees deserve the same support available to other small businesses, and for the significant, sustained efforts of members of Congress to amplify the need for changes to the guidelines to get small gaming operators and their employees through this challenging time.”

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller sent the following industry update on March 11, 2020.

Like many of you, the American Gaming Association (AGA) is paying close attention to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has created uncertainty for the gaming industry and economy broadly.

Last month, we led a deliberate and inclusive process with AGA members and through close consultation with the Macau and U.S. government made the decision to postpone G2E Asia to July 28-30, 2020. The Macau gaming market plays a vital role in the global gaming industry, and is essential to the interests of U.S. operators and suppliers. We will continue to support efforts as Macau returns to full capacity.

As COVID-19 impacts increasingly hit closer to home, we are communicating with administration (CDC, Office of the Vice President) and Congressional leaders, including the Congressional Gaming Caucus. In these ongoing discussions, we continue to reiterate the need for gaming’s inclusion in any economic stimulus being considered. We are also communicating back to policymakers the steps that our members are taking to ensure customer health and safety. We convened a call yesterday with more than 50 government relations representatives from AGA’s membership to gauge priorities in any stimulus action, and we will work diligently to preserve industry interests over the coming weeks and months.

We have engaged and will continue to engage other industry associations as the implications of this evolving health crisis continue to affect our part of the broader hospitality industry. I have personally been in direct, daily coordination with travel and hospitality industry association CEOs to make sure our voice is represented among the broader travel industry. Yesterday, the AGA joined those organizations to encourage Americans to follow expert advice and make fact-based decisions about traveling.

Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will share more frequent updates to help you stay informed on the latest efforts and resources available.

AGA President and CEO Bill Miller sent the following industry update on March 11, 2020.

Like many of you, the American Gaming Association (AGA) is paying close attention to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which has created uncertainty for the gaming industry and economy broadly.

Last month, we led a deliberate and inclusive process with AGA members and through close consultation with the Macau and U.S. government made the decision to postpone G2E Asia to July 28-30, 2020. The Macau gaming market plays a vital role in the global gaming industry, and is essential to the interests of U.S. operators and suppliers. We will continue to support efforts as Macau returns to full capacity.

As COVID-19 impacts increasingly hit closer to home, we are communicating with administration (CDC, Office of the Vice President) and Congressional leaders, including the Congressional Gaming Caucus. In these ongoing discussions, we continue to reiterate the need for gaming’s inclusion in any economic stimulus being considered. We are also communicating back to policymakers the steps that our members are taking to ensure customer health and safety. We convened a call yesterday with more than 50 government relations representatives from AGA’s membership to gauge priorities in any stimulus action, and we will work diligently to preserve industry interests over the coming weeks and months.

We have engaged and will continue to engage other industry associations as the implications of this evolving health crisis continue to affect our part of the broader hospitality industry. I have personally been in direct, daily coordination with travel and hospitality industry association CEOs to make sure our voice is represented among the broader travel industry. Yesterday, the AGA joined those organizations to encourage Americans to follow expert advice and make fact-based decisions about traveling.

Because this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will share more frequent updates to help you stay informed on the latest efforts and resources available.

WASHINGTON – The American Gaming Association (AGA) has added four new senior-level staff members, furthering the association’s success in serving its members and the rapidly evolving gaming industry: Cait DeBaun, senior director of strategic communications; Jessica Feil, senior director of government relations; Meredith Pallante, senior director of events; and Gabrielle Voorhees, senior director of finance.

“There’s never been been a more exciting time to be a part of the gaming industry, and our ability to attract this level of talent reflects that,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO. “These four, high-caliber professionals represent a broad array of experience and talent that will be an asset to our industry and our members day in and day out.”

Cait DeBaun, senior director of strategic communications
DeBaun develops and leads AGA’s integrated communications strategies to promote the social and economic value of the $261 billion U.S. casino gaming industry. Previously, she served as the director of communications for Project: Time Off at the U.S. Travel Association and led national social change efforts for federal government campaigns at Ogilvy Public Relations. DeBaun and her work have been recognized by PR News, Public Relations Society of America, Washington Women in PR, and the American Society of Association Executives.

Jessica Feil, senior director of government relations
Feil advocates for AGA’s objectives and goals in state legislatures and regulatory bodies around the country. Before joining AGA, she was an associate at a boutique DC-based law firm, where she specialized in litigation, regulatory compliance, and licensing for gaming companies and worked with iDEA Growth. Feil was recently named to the Emerging Leaders of Gaming: 40 Under 40, Class of 2019-2020.

Meredith Pallante, senior director of events
Pallante brings more than a decade of experience in event creation and operations to her new role overseeing the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) brand and portfolio of events: G2E Las Vegas and G2E Asia. Prior to joining AGA, she led domestic and international events at the Consumer Technology Association, including managing CES Keynote logistics and partnerships. She previously oversaw international and domestic trade show operations for the Association for Manufacturing Technology.

Gabrielle Voorhees, senior director of finance
As a licensed CPA, Voorhies oversees AGA’s financial operations and human resources department. She has three decades of defense contracting and nonprofit experience having held positions at Electronic Data Systems and SAIC, and most recently at IPMA-HR, a public safety association.

These additions compliment organizational changes announced earlier this summer, reflecting AGA’s enhanced focus on industry modernization, communications, and advocacy. Other recent additions to AGA’s growing team include Will Dennis, manager of strategic communications; Audra Hill, executive assistant; Brandon Leggiero, manager of government relations and PAC director; and Mirvantz Pierre, finance and operations coordinator.