If you aren’t aware of the American Gaming Association (AGA), it’s the trade association which represents both casino and gaming interests within the United States of America. The task of this company is to unite business rivals with the idea of advancing the overall gaming industry. Naturally, this goal can often be something that isn’t achieved due to so many alternating interests between companies. Some of these businesses also hold more power than others within the industry.
When it comes to online gambling, this is an issue that has specifically divided the members of the AGA for many years now. Both online poker play and casino gameplay have been such a hot topic amongst the members, that the organisation chose to take back its support relating to legal online gambling back in 2014. It was then that the AGA stood firm with having no set position on online gambling.
The decision of the AGA came very shortly after the Chairman of Las Vegas Sands, Sheldon Adelson chose to launch his own public campaign saying that he did not support online gambling. However, despite this, the AGA’s position relating to online gambling was never really solidly set. It seems as though the company was never really happy with stating that it was neutral on the idea of online gambling. Its latest list featuring new AGA members though seems to suggest differently.
What Has Changed?
Over the past years, the AGA has actually seen itself dominated by interests of the land-based casino industry. However, this is not something that is so specific now. The six newest members of the AGA actually all have online gambling interests, which include Paddy Power Betfair and The Stars Group. Speaking of the new members, the CEO of AGA, Geoff Greeman welcomed them by saying that they reflect the “broad interests” of the country’s casino gaming sector.
With such, the AGA now incorporates various companies with a central focus on online gambling. Nyx Interactive also became a member in 2016 and multiple casinos that offer online sites in the state of New Jersey stand amongst the current AGA members. They include Caesars Entertainment, Rush Street Gaming and MGM Resorts. Other casinos are also expected to become involved in the upcoming gambling industry within Pennsylvania.
Even though this is the case, the AGA has not officially changed its position on online gambling. This was further backed up by a spokesperson who stated that the AGA “maintains its neutral position”. That being said, it has found itself at the forefront of the US fight to legalise online sports betting within the country. This also includes mobile wagering. Of course, this means that the AGA supports mobile sports betting (online gambling), but it seriously counteracts its “neutral” standing on online gaming in general.
Now, online gambling in itself seems to be rapidly expanding across the United States. Today, online lotteries stand as being legal in six different states. Casino games as well as online poker are legal within four different states and sports betting exists within Nevada.
