The American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced the formation of its Illegal Gambling Advisory Board as part of its “Stop Illegal Gambling – Play it Safe” initiative. The new Board met for the first time today at the AGA’s office in Washington, DC. Members of the Board will provide advice regarding industry efforts to develop actionable tools for law enforcement and to reduce the demand through public awareness; guide partnerships with law enforcement at the local, state, federal and international level; and provide strategies and perspective on necessary steps to plug existing holes in enforcement efforts. “We’re fortunate that five of the most well-respected…

Gaming Intelligence – Divisions between members over the regulation of online gambling in the US have seen the American Gaming Association (AGA) withdraw from lobbying efforts to legalise iGaming. The association’s chief executive Geoff Freeman explained that it would no longer lobby in favour of online gaming and recommend that companies should work in their own separate coalitions. He said that the decision was taken “in keeping with the AGA’s core mission of bringing the industry together on issues of common cause.” FULL STORY (SUBSCRIPTION)

This Week in Gambling – J Todd recently caught up with the new President of the American Gaming Association, Geoff Freeman. The two spoke at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, about the future of the industry and the changing role of the AGA. Among specific topics of discussion was the about face withing the AGA over the past several years from opposition of online gaming to fully embracing the opportunities that technology can offer for gaming. . . Las Vegas Review Journal – The collegiality developed within the gaming industry as casino companies weathered the economic downturn…

The Washington, D.C.-based American Gaming Association (AGA) announced Tuesday it would add three new members, including Wynn Resorts Ltd. and Station Casinos. Racetrack and casino operator Churchill Downs Inc. also will join the organization, which represents the commercial gaming industry on Capitol Hill. All three companies will add representatives to American Gaming Association’s board of directors. Wynn Resorts Chairman Steve Wynn is expected to join the board. The move would mark Wynn’s return to the organization that he helped found in June 1995. Wynn left the organization after the sale of Mirage Resorts to the then-MGM Grand Corp. in 1999….

Press Release – In his first major speech as the new head of the American Gaming Association, CEO Geoff Freeman urged the U.S. gaming industry to embrace the opportunities created by the digital expansion of gaming and challenged federal policymakers to establish minimum standards that “make innovation possible” in what he referred to as “one of gaming’s most dynamic eras.” Freeman’s remarks came during a keynote speech to the European iGaming Congress, a prestigious gathering of more than 1,500 online gaming professionals and executives from Europe and around the world. In his remarks, Freeman outlined his intent to drive a more…

From iGaming Business – The American Gaming Association (AGA) applauded yesterday’s US Senate hearing on online gambling and renewed its calls for the federal regulatory system it favours to be followed as a regulatory course over the state-by -state model currently taking shape in the American market. The AGA also called for a ban on online casino-style ‘games of chance’ while a federal regulatory set up would make the business model much more attractive for AGA members offering online poker. Geoff Freeman, the newly-appointed president and chief executive of the AGA, said: “Internet poker is a reality that is here…