AGA
AGA Publishes Guide to Combat Human Trafficking in Gaming
New AGA Member Task Force to Drive Industry-Wide Effort
The American Gaming Association (AGA) released a new resource, Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in the Gaming Industry, a first step from its newly founded Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force which aims to bolster gaming industry efforts.
“The AGA, our members, and the entire gaming industry are committed to stamping out all forms of human trafficking,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Through the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, we will continue to bring the industry together to defeat this evil and pervasive human rights offense.”
The guide builds on efforts by hospitality and nonprofit partners and the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury to guide the industry on applying anti-human trafficking practices including:
- Educating individuals on what constitutes human trafficking, the risks it poses to the gaming industry, and how to intervene.
- Empowering gaming employees to act when they notice human trafficking.
- Preventing human trafficking from occurring at—or being facilitated through—gaming operations.
- Addressing the specific needs of gaming executives as they institute anti-trafficking policies.
- Protecting patrons and employees from human trafficking.
The resource specifically addresses areas such as sex trafficking and forced labor; trafficking myths and realities; state and federal anti-trafficking laws and enforcement; anti-money laundering measures; and best practices for preventing, spotting and responding to trafficking at commercial and tribal gaming operations.
AGA members are actively applying anti-trafficking protocols today, including displaying property signage and training employees, partnering with shelters and nonprofits, and working with law enforcement.
“While many gaming companies already have robust anti-human trafficking policies, this guide will serve as an essential tool for the industry to assess and strengthen its current protocols,” said Alex Costello, AGA’s vice president, government relations. “Today’s announcement marks the first step in the task force’s ongoing work to enhance the gaming industry’s anti-trafficking efforts.”
The task force will continue to advance industry anti-trafficking efforts in the coming months by co-hosting regional events, participating in educational sessions at Global Gaming Expo 2022 (Oct. 10-13), and driving to-be-announced activations during National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January 2023.
Comprised of AGA member executives with expertise in security, hospitality, anti-money laundering compliance, legal and other specialized sectors of the gaming industry, the AGA Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force’s mission is to develop robust casino-specific tools and guidance that are practical in their application to make progress against human trafficking in gaming. Participating AGA member companies include Bally’s Corporation, Boyd Gaming, Delaware North, FireKeepers Casino Hotel, GeoComply, MGM Resorts International, Penn National Gaming, Rush Street Gaming, Seminole Hard Rock, South Point Las Vegas and Wynn Resorts.
AGA
Commercial Gaming Revenue Growth Continues in Q3 2024, Driving Industry’s 15th Consecutive Quarter of Growth
U.S. commercial gaming revenue reached $17.71 billion in Q3 2024, the industry’s highest-grossing Q3 on record, according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker. This makes Q3 2024 the industry’s 15th consecutive quarter of annual revenue growth, with September marking the 43rd straight month of rising year-over-year commercial gaming revenue.
Through the first nine months of the year, nationwide commercial gaming revenue stands at $53.24 billion, pacing 8.0 percent ahead of 2023 and putting the industry on track for a fourth straight record revenue year.
In Q3 2024, 29 of the 35 commercial gaming jurisdictions operational last year saw increased year-over-year revenue. This growth resulted in an 8.9 percent year-over-year increase in state and local taxes tied directly to gaming revenue, with commercial gaming operators contributing $3.79 billion in taxes across the quarter.
Quarterly revenue from land-based gaming – encompassing casino slots, table games and retail sports betting – totaled $12.56 billion, 0.62 percent lower than Q3 2023. Meanwhile, combined revenue from online sports betting and iGaming totaled $5.14 billion in Q3 2024 as online gaming made up 29.0 percent of commercial gaming revenue, a significantly higher share than in Q3 2023.
Looking at each sector in Q3 2024:
- Traditional Gaming: Traditional brick-and-mortar casino gaming generated quarterly revenue of $12.38 billion, a contraction of 0.9 percent year-over-year.
- Legal Sports Betting: Americans legally wagered $30.3 billion on sports, generating $3.24 billion in quarterly revenue (+42.4% YoY). Recent market launches in Kentucky, Maine, North Carolina and Vermont contributed to this growth.
- iGaming: iGaming generated $2.08 billion in revenue, marking a 30.3 percent year-over-year increase.
“Q3 2024 continued gaming’s momentum from the first half of the year, with online casino and sports betting driving strong growth. At the same time, new brick-and-mortar casino openings bolstered traditional gaming, which still accounts for the bulk of industry revenue,” said AGA Vice President of Research David Forman. “More than a quarter of commercial revenue now regularly comes from online sources, raising the importance of continued sustainable growth with consumers in those states.”
AGA
American Attitudes Toward Casino Gaming, Sports Betting Reach High-Water Marks
Americans are increasingly embracing casino gaming and sports betting as acceptable forms of entertainment and responsible industries, according to new consumer survey results from the American Gaming Association (AGA). The new data comes ahead of Responsible Gaming Education Month this September and on the eve of the seventh NFL season with widespread legal wagering.
Among new high-water marks in consumer sentiment, 75% of Americans believe the gaming industry behaves responsibly in the communities where it operates, 9 in 10 Americans view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment, and 75% of Americans support legal sports betting in their home state.
“These latest survey results highlight a consistent trend over the years: as gaming expands to new audiences, Americans increasingly see the benefits of a legal, regulated gaming marketplace that contributes to communities, prioritizes responsibility and provides unmatched entertainment,” said Joe Maloney, AGA Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications.
The study reveals particular increases in favorable views toward the industry’s commitments to responsible gaming, with 65% of Americans now saying the gaming industry is committed to encouraging responsible gaming and combating problem gambling—a notable rise from 55% last year. This confidence is even stronger among those who engage with the industry directly, with 81% of physical casino players and 88% of sports bettors agreeing with this sentiment, up from 70% and 78%, respectively last year.
This sentiment is driven by increased perceptions across several areas:
- Responsible Marketing and Advertising: Americans are taking notice of the legal industry’s efforts around responsible marketing and advertising marketing, with 65% of respondents saying they believe the industry is truthful in its marketing and advertising, up from 58% last year. Additionally, 73% view the industry as responsible in its marketing efforts, up from 68% in 2022.
- Effectiveness of Responsible Gaming Programs: Data shows 66% of Americans believe the gaming industry’s responsible gaming programs are effective, up from 59% last year. Among those who participate in gaming, 79% of physical casino players and 85% of sports bettors agree that these programs are effective.
- Increased Awareness of Responsible Gaming Messages: The study shows a significant rise in the number of Americans exposed to responsible gaming information. Specifically, 46% of land-based casino players and 57% of sports bettors noted an increase in responsible gaming messaging. Notably, 66% of all Americans say they have encountered responsible gaming messaging in the past year, up from 56% in 2022.
- Familiarity with Responsible Gaming Resources: Awareness of responsible gaming resources has grown, with 76% of Americans familiar with at least one responsible gaming resource, an increase from 65% in 2022. Awareness is particularly high among industry participants, with 92% of land-based players and 96% of sports bettors familiar with at least one responsible gaming resource.
“The gaming industry’s responsibility efforts are stronger than ever, and consumers are noticing,” continued Maloney. “As we embark on another Responsible Gaming Education Month, we’re more energized than ever to continue our work to give consumers the legal, safe and fun gaming experiences that they want and deserve.”
AGA
DraftKings Set to Launch Mobile Sports Betting in North Carolina on March 11
Today, DraftKings Incorporated (DraftKings) (Nasdaq: DKNG) announced plans to launch its top-rated online sportsbook in North Carolina on March 11, 2024. This announcement is the culmination of DraftKings’ continued work with stakeholders and regulators across North Carolina to offer fans a responsible form of sports betting. Earlier this year, DraftKings and NASCAR agreed to terms on a written designation agreement, paving the way for the digital sports entertainment and gaming company to operate in the state. Once live in North Carolina, the DraftKings Sportsbook will be available in 27 United States states, in addition to Ontario, Canada.
North Carolina is known for its strong sports culture, housing the majority of the NASCAR industry, professional teams in the NFL, NBA and NHL as well as several universities competing at the Division-I level. Starting from March 11, DraftKings will provide eligible fans in the state several new and responsible ways to get in on the action. DraftKings’ online sportsbook provides a wide variety of betting markets and key offerings such as same-game parlays, in-game betting, special odds boosts and more on a safe, regulated platform with various customer protections in place such as deposit and time limits, access to responsible gaming resource materials, cool off and self-exclusion features along with DraftKings’ all new My Stat Sheet, an innovative responsible gaming feature that shows customers exactly how much time they’ve spent on DraftKings and the total amount of deposits they’ve placed on the platform.
“With the NCAA Tournament right around the corner and the NASCAR season in full throttle, we are thrilled to be launching our top-rated sportsbook app in North Carolina,” the President for DraftKings North America, Matt Kalish, said. “‘The Tar Heel State’ is home to a passionate fanbase and some of the most iconic college basketball programs of all time, making this an exciting time to introduce legalized online sports betting. We’re proud to be working alongside NASCAR as our market access partner and look forward to enhancing the fan experience across North Carolina with a fun, safe and seamless sports betting product.”
To celebrate the launch of legalized mobile sports betting going live in North Carolina, DraftKings, in collaboration with NASCAR, is teaming up with Carolina Panthers legend Greg Olsen for a ceremonial first bet on March 11, 2024. The event will take place at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte and feature remarks from Olsen as well as DraftKings Chief Commercial Officer Jeremy Elbaum and North Carolina State Representative Zack Hawkins.
In addition to hosting the ceremonial first bet in North Carolina on March 11, DraftKings is also recognizing Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) in March, led by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) to increase public awareness of problem gaming and the availability of prevention, treatment and recovery services. DraftKings works closely with the NCPG to highlight the company’s responsible gaming initiatives and resources such as cool offs, limitations, key partnerships and mental health services.
Both active members of the American Gaming Association (AGA), DraftKings and NASCAR are committed to promoting the AGA’s Have A Game Plan: Bet Responsibly public service campaign, which educates customers on responsible gaming best practices such as establishing and adhering to a budget and only engaging with legal, regulated operators. DraftKings is committed to creating inclusive and responsible pathways for people to build, create, imagine and innovate through the DraftKings SERVES program.
Eligible customers in North Carolina can access the latest betting markets and more by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app available via iOS and Android. DraftKings is committed to providing customers with resources to help bet responsibly. Customers can review DraftKings’ responsible gaming tools here. For additional problem gaming support or services, North Carolina customers can call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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