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.

March 11 Announcement

As a result of continued developments related to coronavirus (COVID-19), we have made the difficult decision to postpone AGA’s Sports Betting Executive Summit. Ultimately, this is the best course of action to ensure the health and safety of our speakers, attendees, and employees—which is where the AGA, our members, and all of you are appropriately focused.

What makes the AGA’s Sports Betting Executive Summit unique is the caliber of the program and attendees. As the convener, we simply will not compromise on the quality of the event, or most importantly, the health and safety of everyone involved.

The AGA is currently assessing options for holding the event at a future date and time. We will provide an update as soon as we can.

If you have questions, please reach out to Jonathan Michaels or Casey Clark.

About the Sports Betting Executive Summit
The AGA’s Sports Betting Executive Summit is an exclusive invitation-only gathering of the country’s leading executives in the sports betting ecosystem to address the expansion of legalized, regulated sports betting in the U.S. This complimentary 1.5-day summit will revolve around the viability of sports betting markets, in-play technological innovations, consumer insights, and the future of payments.

NEW YORK – Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (NYSE: MSGS) (“MSG Sports”) and Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: MSGE) (“MSG Entertainment”) announced today a partnership with the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan.^® Bet Responsibly.™ campaign to promote responsible gaming.

“With the continued growth of legal sports gaming throughout the tri-state area, it’s a priority for MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment to ensure that fans and viewers have access to educational resources on how to wager responsibly,” said Ron Skotarczak, Executive Vice President, Marketing Partnerships, Madison Square Garden Entertainment. “Providing a platform to amplify Have A Game Plan is essential to our strategy and supporting future growth in this industry.”

As part of the partnership, MSG Sports and MSG Entertainment will activate the campaign in-arena and through digital media with the New York Knicks and the New York Rangers and on-air through MSG Network, including regular features on Odds with Ends, The Bettor Half Hour and The Betting Exchange.

“MSG is a fixture in the New York sports market, and we are proud to have them join Have A Game Plan,” said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. “MSG’s unique activations further support our goal of convening the sports betting ecosystem around a common message to advance responsible gaming.”

AGA’s Have A Game Plan campaign promotes four core principles of responsible sports betting: set a budget and stick to it, keep betting social, know the odds and play with trusted, regulated operators.

Fan and consumer education are critical as sports betting expands nationwide. Today, sports betting is legal in 32 states and the District of Columbia, with 31 jurisdictions already operational. 142 million American adults can now bet legally in their home market.

The AGA launched Have A Game Plan in late 2019 to educate sports fans on the principles of responsible sports betting. MSG Sports joins campaign partners across the sports betting landscape, including BetMGM, DraftKings, Entain, FanDuel, Global Payments, MGM Resorts International, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, NASCAR, New York Jets, NHL, Nuvei, PGA TOUR, Rush Street Interactive, SeventySix Capital, Sightline Payments, Sinclair Broadcast Group, UFC, Vegas Golden Knights and Washington Football Team.

WASHINGTON – More than 47 million Americans will place bets on the 2021 March Madness tournament, with online and physical sportsbook betting expected to grow dramatically compared to 2019, compensating for lower expected participation in bracket contests, according to new data from the American Gaming Association (AGA).

“The sports betting landscape has changed dramatically since 2019 – and as a result, tournament betting has transformed,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “As consumers formerly limited to bracket contests now enjoy access to legal sportsbook options, they also plan to place traditional sports bets as March Madness returns.”

While the overall number of Americans betting is flat from 2019, there have been significant shifts in how people plan to bet on the tournament this year. Bracket betting is expected to decline but more traditional sports bets placed online or at a brick-and-mortar sportsbooks are expected to more than double.

Since the 2019 tournament, 74 million more Americans have gained the opportunity to bet safely in legal markets in 14 new jurisdictions.

Key findings from the survey, conducted by Morning Consult, include:

• 47.4 million American adults will wager on March Madness, about the same number that indicated they would bet on the tournament in 2019.
• 36.7 million Americans will fill out a bracket, down 8% from 2019.
• 30.6 million Americans will place more traditional bets on this year’s tournament, up from 17.8 million in 2019.
• 17.8 million will place a bet online, up 206% from 5.8 million in 2019.
• 8.3 million will place a bet at a physical sportsbook, up 79% from 2019.

Interest in the tournament is up slightly from 2019, with 26% of Americans saying they are extremely or very interested in the tournament, compared to 23% two years ago.

42% of fans said they followed college basketball more closely this season, with 70% of those following more closely attributing their increased attention either somewhat or very significantly to the increased availability of legal sports betting.

Gonzaga University is the betting public’s favorite to win the tournament (17%), followed by Florida State University (11%) and Baylor University (8%).

“With more legal, regulated sports betting options than ever before, millions of customers now have safer ways to enjoy all the fun and suspense only March Madness provides,” said Miller.

Background

• 25 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized sports betting, with 21 legal markets operational.
• 17 states currently have active or pre-filed legislation to legalize sports betting.

Methodology

This survey was conducted on behalf of the AGA by Morning Consult between March 3- 5, 2021 among a national sample of 2,200 adults. The interviews were conducted online and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, educational attainment, gender, race and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus two percentage points and higher among subgroups. Bettors include those who expect to place a bet online, with a bookie, with a casino sportsbook, casually with a friend or participate in a bracket contest.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Global Payments Inc., a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, is the newest partner of the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan.^® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign.

The partnership, announced as part of Responsible Gaming Education Week (September 19-25, 2021), will include Global Payments incorporating Have A Game Plan into its social media channels and customer-facing marketing. The company will also communicate the importance of responsible gaming awareness through its extended weekly blog series.

“Global Payments is deeply committed to responsible gaming—and this is why we’re proud to join the Have A Game Plan initiative to promote responsible sports wagering,” said Global Payments President Christopher Justice. “Our success depends on continuing to build strong relationships with our customers that are rooted in education and responsibility.”

“With more Americans able to wager legally than ever before, the gaming industry is committed to making responsibility a key component of the legal sports betting market,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Digital payments provide new tools for responsible gaming and through Global Payments’ partnership, their customers can have a fun, responsible, and seamless betting experience.”

AGA’s Have A Game Plan campaign promotes four core principles of responsible sports betting: set a budget and stick to it, keep betting social, know the odds, and play with trusted, regulated operators.

Sports betting is now legal in 32 states and the District of Columbia, with 27 jurisdictions already operational. More than 111 million American adults can now bet legally in their state.

AGA’s Responsible Gaming Education Week educates consumers on the importance of playing responsibly, highlighting responsible gaming’s central role in sports betting and the industry at large.

The AGA launched Have A Game Plan in late 2019 to educate sports fans on the principles of responsible sports betting. Global Payments joins campaign partners across the sports betting landscape, including DraftKings, FanDuel, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, NASCAR, the New York Jets, the NHL, the PGA TOUR, SeventySix Capital, Sightline Payments, Sinclair Broadcast Group, UFC, Vegas Golden Knights, and the Washington Football Team.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. –  The American Gaming Association (AGA) Tuesday held its first ever State Stakeholders Summit, convening industry experts and invested stakeholders to drive the evolving national debate on expanding legalized, regulated sports betting. Held at the Hall of States, the event focused on potential policy solutions for state and federal legislatures and regulatory bodies. Drawing upon critical guidance from gaming regulators and AGA policy principles, stakeholders discussed the need for sound policy that would enhance law enforcement resources and drive customers to a legal, regulated market.

Within the next 70 days, the U.S. Supreme Court will issue a ruling on Murphy v. NCAA, the state of New Jersey’s challenge to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The 1992 law, which largely outlawed sports betting outside of Nevada, has failed to offer sport or consumer protection. Rather, PASPA restricts state and federal economic benefits, exhausts law enforcement resources and perpetuates a thriving illegal sports betting market in the United States that AGA estimates to be in excess of $150 billion annually. Event participants included those who joined AGA in filing amicus briefs with the Supreme Court in support of New Jersey.

“This meeting was an opportunity to continue our longstanding dialogue about shutting down the illegal sports betting market with some of the most important stakeholders in the debate,” said AGA Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Sara Slane. “States are anticipating and are preparing to offer legal, regulated sports betting in a way that meets the needs of their constituents. The organizations represented are central to advancing effective and sensible sports betting laws and regulations, and enacting and enforcing these new rules.”

Participants included members of AGA’s Sports Betting Task Force, former and current gaming regulators, and representatives from the National Governors Association, Conference of Western Attorneys General, National Conference of State Legislatures, American Legislative Exchange Council, Fraternal Order of Police, Major County Sheriffs of America, National Association of Counties and the Council of State Chambers, among others.

The Stakeholder Summit preceded a meeting of AGA’s Public Policy Committee, which convenes biannually to discuss industry policy priorities and activities.

AGA will issue an after-action report outlining lessons learned from the Summit, and next steps for advancing sound sports betting policy that shuts down the illegal market.

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.

An overwhelming majority of Americans support the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down the sports betting ban, according to a national survey of registered voters. They are also strongly in favor of legalizing sports betting in their state, according to a national survey of registered voters.

Key findings from the survey include:

• Nearly 8 in 10 Americans support legalizing sports betting in their state.
• 63% of Americans support the Supreme Court’s ruling that struck down the sports betting ban.
• 2 in 3 people believe sports betting is best regulated by states and sovereign tribal governments.
• The majority of people oppose the idea leagues getting a cut of wagers on sports, with less than 1 in 4 being in favor.

Methodology:

The survey of Americans’ attitudes towards gaming was conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association by the Mellman Group in September, 2018 among a national sample of 1,000 registered voters. The interviews were conducted both online and on the phone and the margin of error is +/- 2.9%.

 

WASHINGTON – The American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates that Americans will wager more than $10 billion on the upcoming 2018 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. Of that $10 billion, only about $300 million – or three percent – will be wagered legally through Nevada sports books.

Americans illegally bet at least $150 billion annually on sports, empowered by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), a failed federal prohibition on single-game sports betting. Illegal wagering is often done through bookies, on illegal offshore websites, or through sports pools like popular March Madness® basketball bracket pools.

According to a recent legal analysis, roughly two-thirds of states’ laws make it illegal to participate in sports pools, including filling out an NCAA tournament bracket, if there is money involved. Despite this, 10 percent of American adults, or nearly 24 million people, reported spending nearly $3 billion in the past year on college basketball pools alone.

“Our current sports betting laws are so out of touch with reality that we’re turning tens of millions of Americans into criminals for the simple act of enjoying college basketball,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “The failed federal ban on sports betting has created an illegal, unregulated sports betting market that offers zero consumer protections and generates zero revenue for state and tribal governments.

“As the Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of PASPA, AGA is focused on working with all stakeholders to put the illegal market out of business and enable a safe, legal way for American consumers to participate in next year’s office pool without fear of prosecution,” continued Freeman.

The U.S. Supreme Court will make a decision on New Jersey’s challenge to PASPA’s overreach in the coming months, potentially enabling an expansion of legalized sports betting. Meanwhile, 48 pieces of sports betting legislation are active in 18 states, as legislatures across the country prepare to take advantage of this opportunity.

 

Background 

• On December 4, 2017, the United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Christie v. NCAA, which challenges the constitutionality of PASPA. The Court is expected to issue a decision on the case in the coming months.
• AGA filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court detailing the impacts of the failing federal sports betting ban. The brief highlighted the thriving $150 billion illegal sports betting market in the U.S.
• At least 18 states have active sports betting-related legislation, with more expected to introduce bills throughout 2018.
• AGA developed Principles to Successfully Govern Sports Betting and Protect Consumers to inform state policy.
• According to a Washington Post survey 55% of Americans believe it is time to end the sports betting ban.

 

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, D.C. – The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released updates to the association’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering (the Code), which sets the industry standard for responsibility in marketing and advertising of sports betting.

“Established in 2019, AGA’s Responsible Marketing Code reflects the commitment of our members to set and adhere to a high bar for responsible advertising,” stated AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Today’s updates advance that commitment and represent our intention to protect consumers and evolve our standards as this nascent market matures.”

The changes—developed in collaboration with AGA members—are the most significant to the Code since its inception, including:

• Enhancing protections for college-aged audiences by:

• • Prohibiting college partnerships that promote, market or advertise sports wagering activity (other than to alumni networks or content focused on responsible gaming initiatives or problem gambling awareness).
  • Prohibiting sportsbook NIL deals for amateur and college athletes.
• Adding age restrictions (21+) for any individual featured in sports betting advertising.
• Changing all references to the “legal age of wagering” to 21-plus.*
• Banning all use of “risk free” in advertising.
• Formalizing an annual process for reviewing and updating the Code.

The updated standards go into effect immediately with a grace period for existing or deployed assets until July 1, 2023. Full updates to the Code can be found here.

“Advertising plays an essential role in migrating consumers away from predatory illegal sportsbooks and into the protections of the legal, regulated market while providing responsible gaming resources,” added Miller. “The AGA and our members are committed to building a sustainable marketplace that protects vulnerable populations and gives consumers the knowledge and tools to keep sports betting fun for adults.”

In addition to updates to the Code, Dr. Jennifer Shatley has been named co-chair of the Code Compliance Review Board. Currently founder and principal consultant at Logan Avenue Consulting LLC and consulting partner for the Responsible Gambling Council, Dr. Shatley brings more than 25 years of experience in responsible gaming policy to oversee the compliance board and review Code violation complaints.

Background

• Sports betting accounted for less than half a percentage of total advertising volume last year, down 28% from 2021.
• 33 states and Washington, D.C. currently feature live, legal sports betting markets, with three additional legal markets awaiting launch.
• More than half of American adults (146M) live in a live, legal sports betting market.
• AGA’s Have A Game Plan.^® Bet Responsibly.™public service campaign brings sports betting stakeholders together to educate new and seasoned sports bettors about how to bet responsibly.

About the Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering
The Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering includes self-imposed restrictions on target audiences, outlets and materials branding, while mandating responsible gaming inclusion. The tenets of the code apply to traditional and digital marketing activity of sports wagering where consumers are encouraged to place real money wagers. Industry stakeholders and consumers can flag perceived non-compliance on AmericanGaming.org.

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.

*Clarification: Changes all references in the Code to the “legal age of wagering” to 21-plus.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Washington Football Team has joined the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Have A Game Plan.^® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign, making it the first National Football League (NFL) team to partner with the AGA to promote responsible sports betting.

The Washington Football Team will connect Have A Game Plan in-stadium activations, sponsored content on washingtonfootball.com, and campaign promotion on the team’s upcoming preseason radio and television broadcasts.

“With legal sports betting now permitted across our region, we are ensuring responsible gaming serves as a foundation for how we engage in this exciting commercial market,” said Washington Football Team’s Chief Partnership Officer Scott Shepherd. “We’re not only proud to partner with the AGA, the architect of Have A Game Plan, but also proud to lead by educating fans as they enjoy football in an engaging, new way.”

“Getting sports betting right is a shared responsibility for everyone involved,” said AGA Senior Vice President Casey Clark. “The Washington Football Team’s partnership demonstrates their leadership and commitment to making responsibility core to their sports betting strategy. Today’s announcement puts Have A Game Plan in front of more fans and is a step further in building a responsible, sustainable legal market.”

The season-long campaign will launch during the team’s first home preseason game on August 20 versus the Cincinnati Bengals. The Washington Football Team’s preseason radio and television broadcasts will include 20-second spots encouraging fans to bet responsibly and directing fans to AGA’s Have a Game Plan website for resources and other information.

Sports betting is now legal and live in 22 states and the District of Columbia. During the NFL season, six additional states are expected to launch. The NFL has a long-standing partnership with the National Council on Problem Gambling.

The AGA launched Have a Game Plan in late 2019 to educate sports fans on the principles of responsible sports betting. As the first NFL team to join the campaign, the Washington Football Team joins official campaign partners DraftKings, FanDuel, Monumental Sports and Entertainment, NASCAR, NHL, PGA TOUR, Sightline Payments, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Vegas Golden Knights, and UFC.

About the Washington Football Team
Headquartered at Inova Sports Performance Center in Ashburn, Virginia, and owned by Dan and Tanya Snyder since 1999, the historic Washington Football Team has won five World Championship titles including the 1937 and 1942 National Football League Championship games, as well as Super Bowls XVII, XXII and XXVI. Founded in 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts, the team relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1937. Since then, the Washington Football Team has become one of the most recognizable professional sports franchises in history, featuring multiple Hall of Fame coaches, 19 members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and one recipient of the Walter Payton Man of The Year Award, Darrell Green. Since 1997, the Team has played their home games at FedExField, a multi-purpose stadium located in Landover, MD.