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American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller outlined his optimism for the gaming industry’s recovery in AGA’s annual State of the Industry address today at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E) 2020.
Miller heralded the industry’s ability to rebound stronger than ever throughout his remarks. “Gaming’s continued innovation, coupled with our deep-rooted culture of compliance, have our industry on solid ground as we continue our recovery.”
Miller pointed to new AGA research showing that more Americans view gaming positively than ever before as evidence of a strong foundation for the industry’s recovery. Fifty percent of American adults have a favorable impression of the casino industry, up five points in two years. Additionally, 9 in 10 (89%) adults view gambling as an acceptable form of entertainment.
“We have built this support over many decades,” said Miller. “As gaming has grown from two states in 1978 to 44 states today, more and more Americans have gotten to know us…They recognize the positive impact we deliver: The jobs we support; the small businesses we sustain; and the tax revenue we contribute…These are the reasons Americans have embraced gaming and they will fuel gaming’s recovery.”
Miller highlighted AGA’s three priorities to unite the industry and aid gaming’s recovery:
- Building Champions on Capitol Hill: Working alongside the Congressional Gaming Caucus to advance the industry’s legislative goals, including further COVID-19 economic assistance, tax relief, and liability protections.
- Payments Modernization: Advancing payments modernization will accelerate gaming’s modernization, help limit the spread of COVID-19, and give consumers new tools to gamble responsibly.
- Growing the Legal Sports Betting Market: Supporting the expansion of legal, regulated sports betting through responsible gaming and strong regulatory frameworks is essential to driving out the illegal marketplace.
2020 marks the 25th anniversary of the AGA: “While COVID-19 may have shifted our plans, we never lost our focus. If anything, the pandemic has elevated AGA’s role as the leading advocate for the American gaming industry. No matter how big the challenge, we have always worked hard to help this industry overcome it. And I’m confident we can do it again.”
Read a transcript of Miller’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, here. View the full schedule for G2E 2020, held Oct. 27-28, here.
About the 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. The 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.
