AGA CEO calls for ‘swift’ action to battle COVID-19 economic impacts

Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA), has released a statement in which he addresses the economic toll facing the US casino gaming industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Due to the health and safety decisions made by state government officials, an estimated 616,000 casino gaming employees have been prevented from working with 95% of the US’s 465 commercial casinos and 83% of the country’s 524 tribal casinos temporarily shutting doors. 

Discussing the effect COVID-19 is having in the sector, the AGA CEO stated: “The impact on our employees, their families, and communities is staggering, and the implications extend far beyond the casino floor. 

“Leading technology companies that supply the industry, and the nearly 350,000 small business employees that rely on gaming for their livelihood, are also feeling the devastating blow of this unprecedented public health crisis.”

As a result of these impacts, Miller has called for the US federal government to act ‘swiftly and comprehensively’ in order to ensure that hospitality workers and small businesses are able to return to work as soon as possible. 

Miller continued by reiterating how gaming employees, along with their subsequent families and communities, will continue to ‘suffer’ and ‘bear the brunt of this economic standstill’ unless immediate action is taken by both congress and the administration. 

Miller concluded: “In total, these mass closures will rob the U.S. economy of $43.5 billion in economic activity if American casinos remain closed for the next eight weeks.

“Gaming is an economic engine, employing millions of local residents, generating community investment through vital tax revenue, and supporting small businesses in communities all across the country.”

Additional information provided by the AGA regarding COVID-19’s impact on US casino industry workers and local communities can be found here.