Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, has released a statement regarding the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

The statement is as follows:

“An estimated 616,000 casino gaming employees are prevented from working because of the important health and safety decisions made by state governments. Nearly all (95%) of the country’s 465 commercial casinos, and three-in-four (76%) of the country’s 524 tribal casinos, have shuttered their doors.

“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.

“The federal government must act swiftly and comprehensively to get America’s hospitality employees, and the small businesses that support them, back to work. Gaming employees, their families, and communities are bearing the brunt of this economic standstill and will continue to suffer if Congress and the administration don’t take immediate action.

“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.”

Background

• Casino closures risk nearly $74 billion in total wages annually for workers and their families.
• Casino gaming supports $41 billion in annual tax revenue and tribal revenue sharing nationwide – essential support for local hospitals, first responders, and vital public services.
• Half the jobs our industry supports are at non-gaming businesses such as restaurants and local shops – all will be dramatically affected by a local casino’s closure.
• Casino gaming is vital to local small businesses, delivering $52 billion annually in small business revenue, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and wholesale firms.

More information on COVID-19’s impact on U.S. casino industry workers and local communities is available here.

AYO.NEWS says:

Though Miller’s statement focuses mainly on land-based casinos, its important to remember that in the emerging US markets sports betting is closely tied to casinos, and in many states a full online offering is still not available, or is again tied to physical land-based casinos through various obscure rules.

Given this, unlike their European counterparts, US operators can’t rely on online esports betting, virtual sports, and casino to see them through the crisis. And, if this crisis ends up lasting for more than a few months, we could see irreparable damage to many companies.

AYO.NEWS says features the opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Pentagon Digital Limited.

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