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.

State of the States 2019: The AGA Survey of the Commercial Casino Industry, is the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) signature research report and the definitive economic analysis of U.S. commercial casino industry and the significant economic impact it has in the 24 U.S. states with commercial gaming operations.

For each of the 24 jurisdictions, the report analyzes gaming revenue and gaming taxes generated by commercial casino locations for the calendar year 2018. In addition, the report provides an overview of the primary competition faced by casinos in each state and summarizes the year’s major gaming policy discussions.

WASHINGTON – Today, the American Gaming Association released the following statement commending Reps. Dina Titus (NV-01) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) for asking the U.S. Treasury Department to raise the threshold for reporting slot tax winnings from $1,200 to $5,000.

According to federal regulation, when a casino patron wins a slot machine jackpot of $1,200 or more, the machine is temporarily taken out of production while the patron is required to complete a W-2G tax reporting form. While slot jackpots have steadily increased with inflation over the past several decades, the $1,200 threshold that triggers the issuance of tax forms has remained static since it was established in 1977. A $1,200 jackpot in 1977 would be equivalent to more than $5,000 today if adjusted for inflation.

Because the threshold hasn’t tracked with inflation, there has been a significant increase in the number of reportable jackpots, causing more operational inefficiencies and adding to the sea of W-2G forms currently flooding an underbudgeted and understaffed IRS each year.

“Casinos are the only businesses that must take their assets out of production to comply with their tax information reporting obligations. The current federal regulations on reporting slot machine winnings have been outdated for decades, creating inefficiencies, paperwork and unnecessary hurdles,” said Bill Miller, president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association. “The gaming industry strongly supports the efforts of Reps. Titus and LaHood to update the antiquated threshold for reporting slot machine winnings while relieving associated burdens for casinos, their patrons and the IRS alike.”

In a February 6, 2019 letter to Congress, Miller listed raising the current slot tax reporting threshold to $5,000 as one of AGA’s top priorities for the 116th Congress.

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.

Casino gaming is one of the most highly regulated industries in the U.S., with more than 4,000 state and tribal regulators dedicated to overseeing all forms of gaming, including electronic gaming machines. The recent growth of unregulated machines across the country raises concerns including lack of testing, consumer protections, responsible gaming measures, and ultimately deprivation of legitimate gaming operations and economic impacts, as described by AGEM and the AGA*.

Join G2E Insider LIVE for a fresh perspective on combating unregulated gaming machines. Discussion will touch on effective ways to collaborate with law enforcement, policymakers, and regulators on this essential priority, while also educating consumers on how to identify and protect themselves against illegal machines.

*https://agemonline.org/factsheet.pdf

Speakers:
Rick Kalm, Executive Director, Michigan Gaming Control Board
Ed Davis, CEO, Edward Davis LLC Security and Management Consulting, former Boston Police Commissioner
Kevin Mullally, Vice President, Government Relations & General Counsel, GLI

Moderator: Jess Feil, Vice President, Government Relations and Gaming Policy Counsel, AGA