The American Gaming Association (AGA) and the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) Corporate Citizenship Center have published ‘first-of-its-kind’ research analyzing the scope of the US casino gaming industry’s commitment to and impact on communities, employees and customers.

Key findings from the report show that stakeholder respondents reported $367m in charitable giving last year, while 93 per cent have comprehensive recycling and energy efficiency programs, 50 per cent higher than the overall private sector.

Sixty-nine percent have an institutionalized diversity and inclusion hiring effort and gaming industry employees contribute more than 422,000 volunteer hours per year, nearly five-times more hours per employee than technology industry employees. Furthermore, 100 per cent of AGA member companies surveyed have a responsible gaming policy.

The research revealed that a majority of companies are committed to responsibility as an integral 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. The full research is available here.

“Above all else, the gaming industry’s highest priority is to promote responsibility in all that we do, from being constructive partners in the communities where we operate, providing exceptional career opportunities to industry employees and ensuring all patrons have the tools they need to engage in our offerings in a responsible manner,” said Bill Miller, president and chief executive officer of the association. “Today’s report shows that the gaming industry is making good on our promise to be responsible community partners, contributing economically and socially to communities across the country.”

“While corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports continue to become standard practice among American businesses, it is rare to see the collective impact of an entire sector,” said Carolyn Cawley, president of the US Chamber Foundation. “We’re proud to work with AGA to release this groundbreaking research that illustrates the gaming industry’s positive efforts in the communities they serve.”