AGA – Bill Miller’s Industry Update – February 2020
US Americans legally wagered a record US$13B in 2019 nearly doubling 2018’s US$6.6B handle
The American Gaming Association has very special words for Australians following life threatening and economy busting bushfires.
Miller writes in AGA’s February 2020 update: “Our thoughts are with our gaming colleagues in Australia as their country continues to battle devasting bushfires that have caused tragic loss of human and animal life. Aristocrat CEO Trevor Croker, whom we welcomed as the AGA’s new chairman at the start of this year, has offered ways in which you can help combat the fires. If you feel inclined, please donate to any of the organizations: NSW Rural Fire Service; QLD Rural Fire Service;VIC Country Fire Authority; WIRES Animal Rescue (NSW); Wildlife Victoria; RSPCA; Koala Rescue; Australian Red Cross; South Australian County Fire Service; The South Australian Government’s Fire Appeal.
“It has been an eventful start to 2020 for the American Gaming Association (AGA), adds Miller. The AGA kicked-off the year at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States Winter Meeting, where I outlined our strategic pillars: getting sports betting right, building champions on Capitol Hill, and modernizing gaming’s ability to do business. Grounded in these pillars, and by capitalizing on our industry’s record popularity, we can set the foundation for gaming’s most successful decade yet.
“I enjoyed seeing many of you and gathering with the international gaming community at ICE London last week. While the industry faces many headwinds globally, I am confident in the position of the U.S. market because of our unified membership and broad prioritization of responsible gaming.
“Next month, the AGA will convene leading voices in sports and gaming at the Sports Betting Executive Summit 2020. This will be the can’t-miss sports betting event of the year with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Barstool Sports CEO Erika Nardini, NASCAR President Steve Phelps, Penn National Gaming President and CEO Jay Snowden, and more.”
You can find an update on most of the AGA’s efforts and priorities:
Responsible Gambling Principles
To kick off the year, the Responsible Gambling Collaborative (RGC), which the AGA is proud to participate in, unveiled new responsible gambling (RG) effectiveness principles—a significant first step toward ensuring that RG receives the proper support, both financial and otherwise, from all stakeholders. The RGC also released a study of 14 states’ RG funding, which found that several states do not properly allocate their designated RG funds.
Congressional Gaming Caucus
In mid-January, the AGA celebrated the official relaunch of the Congressional Gaming Caucus, co-chaired by Representatives Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) and Dina Titus (NV-01). The bipartisan caucus stands at more than 30 members of Congress (and counting) and is key to the AGA’s 2020 priority to bolster champions on Capitol Hill.
2019 Sports Betting Recap
During the first full year of expanded legal sports betting in the U.S., Americans legally wagered a record $13 billion – nearly double 2018’s $6.6 billion handle – generating $118 million in state and local tax revenue. With a total of 14 states now offering legal sports betting, 59 percent of money wagered in 2019 was bet outside of Nevada. Since PASPA’s invalidation in May 2018, bettors have wagered more than $17 billion nationwide, translating to $1.2 billion in sportsbook revenue and $152 million in tax revenue to state and local governments.
Interactive Sports Betting Map
The AGA continues to track state-by-state sports betting activity, which you can follow on our new interactive sports betting map. This map provides detail on the specific types of wagering allowed, key regulatory provisions, and locations for legal sportsbooks and online/mobile providers.
