The American Gaming Association (AGA) has an eventful start to 2020

“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,” said Miller.

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.

This is a full update on 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.  

AGA Super Bowl Betting Projections

The AGA Super Bowl LIV betting estimates found that 26 million Americans planned to wager a total of $6.8 billion. It is clear that legal sports betting is more popular than ever, as 25 percent more Americans planned to place their Super Bowl bets at a retail sportsbook. The findings garnered significant coverage from ESPN, CNBC, The Hill, Fox Business, and USA Today.

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.

Member Data Privacy

It has come to our attention that bad actors have been attempting to solicit purchases of fake AGA contact lists. The AGA’s contact database is secure, and we do not sell our data. Appropriate action is being taken to ensure these solicitations are ceased. If you are contacted regarding the sale of AGA lists, please notify Dan Bretl, senior vice president, strategy and operations.  

Australian Bushfires

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 below.

• 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