Previously, Nevada statute prohibited any person under 21 from being employed as a “gaming employee” except as a member of a casino count room staff. The passage of AB221 retains the count room exception for casino operations, and otherwise applies only to the technology supplier sector, which previously couldn’t even offer internships to those under 21.

Nevada serves as the manufacturing epicenter for global gaming equipment, both hardware and software, exported to every regulated gaming market in the world. Further, AGEM members are responsible for manufacturing every gaming machine in Nevada, and leading providers include International Game Technology (IGT), Scientific Games, Aristocrat Technologies, Konami Gaming, Everi, Ainsworth Game Technology, AGS and others (full list of AGEM members below).

“We are keenly interested in workforce development and employment opportunities within the state and Assembly Bill 221 will take us all in a positive direction,” said Marcus Prater, Executive Director of AGEM. “The gaming suppliers are further interested in hiring those in the 18-20 age group in a variety of company department categories, as well as being able to offer internships to college students. The opportunities could run the gamut from visionary young adult game designers to graduates from our state’s technical schools to math wizards who are all seeking a unique career path previously unavailable to them.”

Expected to be signed by Gov. Steve Sisolak, AB221 was originally introduced by Assembly Judiciary Chairman Steve Yeager and garnered the formal support of the Nevada System of Higher Education, the College of Southern Nevada, the Washoe County School District, Clark County School District and the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce.

The gaming technology sector continues to grow, according to an in-depth economic impact analysis by the respected Nevada firm Applied Analysis that was released this month, revealing that supplier companies either headquartered in Nevada or have some operations here account for $11.7 billion in direct revenue annually and directly employ nearly 29,000 people across all of their operations. A significant portion of supplier employees are highly educated engineers, software designers, creative development specialists, hardware and sub-assembly experts, game designers, graphic artists, animators, and marketing and financial staff. The average annual salary among AGEM-member companies is $91,240, well above the national average equivalent of $51,960 for the private sector. When considering the “ripple effect” of the industry, those with operations in Nevada are responsible for approximately $31.5 billion in total global economic activity annually.

AGEM is a non-profit international trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, table games, online technology, sports betting, key components and support products and services for the gaming industry. AGEM works to further the interests of gaming equipment suppliers throughout the world. Through political action, regulatory influence, trade show partnerships, educational alliances, information dissemination and good corporate citizenship, the members of AGEM work together to create benefits for every company within the organization. Together, AGEM has assisted regulatory agencies and participated in the legislative process to solve problems and create a business environment where AGEM members can prosper while providing a strong level of support to education and responsible gaming initiatives. For more information, visit www.AGEM.org.

The current AGEM membership roster, 170 companies strong based in 22 countries, is a who’s who of the supplier segment of the global gaming industry: AGEM Gold Members: AGS, Ainsworth Game Technology, Aristocrat Technologies, Everi, International Game Technology (IGT), Konami Gaming, Merkur Gaming, NOVOMATIC Group, Scientific Games and Sega Sammy Creation. AGEM Silver Members: Action Gaming, Aruze Gaming America, Betson Enterprises, Casino Technology, Crane Payment Innovations (CPI), Gaming Partners International (GPI), Inspired Gaming, JCM Global, Ortiz Gaming, Quixant PLC, Suzo-Happ Group, TCSJohnHuxley, TransAct Technologies and Zitro. AGEM Bronze Members: Abbiati Casino Equipment, Ace Systems Mx, Alfastreet, Amatic Industries, APEX gaming, Astro Corp., Atlas Gaming, BetConstruct, Bingotimes Digital Technology, Cammegh Limited, Century Gaming Technologies, CG Technology (CGT), Cole Kepro International, DR Gaming Technology (DRGT), Eclipse Gaming, Euro Games Technology (EGT), Exacta Systems, FBM, Galaxy Gaming, Gamblit Gaming, GameCo, Gaming Arts, Gaming Support, Glory Global Solutions, Grand Vision Gaming, Incredible Technologies, Interblock USA, Jackpot Digital, Jumbo Technology, Matsui Gaming Machine Co., Metronia, Next Gaming, Patriot Gaming & Electronics, PDS Gaming, RCT Gaming, Spintec, Synergy Blue, Table Trac, Weike Gaming Technology, Wells-Gardner Technologies, Win Systems and Worldpay Gaming. AGEM Associate Members: 3M Touch Systems, Acuris Risk Intelligence, Adlink Technology, Advantech-Innocore, Agilysys, Aon, ArdentSky, Arrow International, Asimex Global, Automated Cashless Systems, Automated Systems America, Inc. (ASAI), Axiomtek, BDO USA, British Group Interactive (BGI), Butler Snow, Carmanah Signs, Catapult Global, CDC Gaming Reports, CMC Trading Engineering (International) Ltd, Comer Holdings, Cooper Levenson, CS-1 Transportation, Deloitte LLP, Digital Instinct, DiTronics Financial Services, Dominode, Duane Morris LLP, E4 Gaming, EFCOtec Corporation, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Elite Gaming Technology, Entropy Cabinet Solutions, Fantini Research, Fennemore Craig, Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, Fox Rothschild, G2 Game Design, Gambling Compliance, Gamesman, Gaming Capital Group, Gaming Publishing / G3 Magazine, GAN, Ganlot, Gary Platt Manufacturing, Gasser Chair Company, Genesis Interactive Technologies, GET IN Global, Global Gambling Guidance Group (G4), Global Gaming Business (GGB) Magazine, Greenberg Traurig, GSL Gaming Group, Howard & Howard, Impact Display Solutions, Innovum Technologies, Intel, IPS, James Industries, Jones Walker, JP Morgan Chase, KEY-BAK, Kiron Interactive, Kontron, Lazcano Sámano, Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie, Leadman Electronics USA, Lightstone Solutions, Majestic Realty, Millennial Esports, NanoLumens, Nanoptix, NRT Technology Corp., Olsen Gaming / Spectronix, Outpost Creative, Panasonic Corporation, Patir Casino Seating, Plus Studios, Portilla Ruy-Díaz y Aguilar, Posiflex Business Machines, Proforma GPS, Regulatory Management Counselors (RMC), Rising Digital, RMMC, RSM US LLP, SAP, SCA Gaming, Sightline Payments, southfi, Spin Games, StylGame USA, TACK Electronics, Taft Stettinius & Hollister, Talent Associates, The Bright Group, The United States Playing Card Company, Touch Dynamic, Tournament One, TOVIS, TraffGen USA, Veridocs, Wells Fargo, Yogonet, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and Zebra Technologies.