The Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) and the American Gaming Association (AGA) today announced a new partnership to highlight and combat the rapid spread of unregulated gaming machine activity in states throughout the U.S.
The centerpiece of the campaign launch is the new “Unregulated Gaming Machine Fact Sheet” released today that confirms the clear distinction between the regulated casino, lottery and distributed gaming markets and the unregulated segment that has been spreading at an alarming rate. The fact sheet also highlights both the negative consequences of this spread, including the increase in criminal activity and the lack of player protections, and potential solutions to combat the problem, including the establishment of small state and local government task forces with law enforcement representation.
“The regulated gaming industry has rarely been more united on a singular issue and now we have a tool to address the misinformation and deception that unregulated machine companies use to confound law enforcement, the courts and local citizens,” said AGEM Executive Director Marcus Prater. “The spread of these machines represents a serious threat to the overall regulated market that has invested billions in infrastructure while also creating thousands of jobs and substantial tax benefits in the communities they serve. Moreover, unregulated machines prey on confused players who see slot machine symbols and think they’re getting a fair chance when they absolutely are not.”
“Stamping out the illegal market that threatens the safety of consumers will always be one of the gaming industry’s highest priorities,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “We are proud to work with the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers and our fellow industry partners to combat the spread of illegal machines. The AGA is encouraged that policymakers in some states such as Virginia have begun to recognize the dangers of these machines and have taken recent legislative action towards outlawing them. Unfortunately, other jurisdictions where these machines have become pervasive may believe their only recourse is to regulate and tax them. Rewarding bad behavior is not the answer, and we hope our education efforts will make it clear that the only real solution is to stop the spread of these devices.”
In addition to the fact sheet that will be distributed to state and local policy makers, law enforcement, legislators, regulatory agencies and media outlets, the ongoing campaign will target developments in key states such as Pennsylvania, Missouri and Virginia where the spread of unregulated machines has been particularly egregious. The continuing outreach will provide factual clarity to stakeholders to help stop the spread of misinformation that has allowed unregulated machines to proliferate and the corresponding negative consequences to rapidly multiply.
As an indication of the regulated industry’s cooperation on this effort, more than 20 professional gaming organizations have joined AGEM and the AGA in signing off on opposition to the spread of unregulated gaming, including the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA), the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries (NASPL), the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), multiple state casino and tribal associations and both of the leading independent test labs that ensure quality and adherence in regulated markets around the world.
About the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM)
AGEM is a non-profit international technology trade association representing manufacturers and suppliers of electronic gaming devices, lotteries, systems, game content, 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 .
About the American Gaming Association (AGA)
The American Gaming Association (AGA) is the premier national trade group representing the $261 billion U.S. casino industry, which supports 1.8 million jobs nationwide. AGA members include commercial and tribal casino operators, gaming suppliers, and other entities affiliated with the gaming industry. It is the mission of the AGA to achieve sound policies and regulations consistent with casino gaming’s modern appeal and vast economic contributions.
AGEM Membership
The current AGEM membership roster, 178 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, Alfastreet, Amatic Industries, APEX gaming, Astro Corp., Atlas Gaming, BetConstruct, Bingotimes Digital Technology, Bluberi, Cammegh Limited, Century Gaming Technologies, CG Technology (CGT), Cole Kepro International, Competition Interactive, DR Gaming Technology (DRGT), Eclipse Gaming, Empire Technological Group (ETG), 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, Spintec, Prometeo IT Solutions, 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, AmericanChecked, Aon, ArdentSky, Arrow International, Asimex Global, Astound, Automated Cashless Systems (ACS), Automated Systems America, Inc. (ASAI), Butler Snow, CAMS, Carmanah Signs, Catapult Global, CDC Gaming Reports, Clarion Gaming, CMC Trading Engineering (International) Ltd, Comer Holdings, Cooper Levenson, CS-1 Transportation, Deloitte LLP, Digital Instinct, DiTronics Financial Services, Duane Morris LLP, eConnect, Enterprise Holdings, EFCO Technology 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, General Touch, Genesis Gaming Solutions, 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, iPro, IPS, James Industries, Jones Walker, JP Morgan Chase, KEY-BAK, Kiron Interactive, Kontron, Lazcano Sámano, Lightstone Solutions, Majestic Realty, MdME Lawyers, Nanoptix, NRT Technology Corp., Nutanix, Olsen Gaming / Spectronix, Outpost Creative, Panasonic Corporation, Patir Casino Seating, Plus Studios, Portilla Ruy-Díaz y Aguilar, Posiflex Business Machines, Proforma GPS, RAD Game Tools, Reed Exhibitions, Regulatory Management Counselors (RMC), RES, Rising Digital, RSM US LLP, SAP, SCA Gaming, Shenzhen TMD Technology, Sightline Payments, southfi, Spin Games, Sports Betting Community (SBC), 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, UL, U.S. Bank, Veridocs, Wells Fargo, Yogonet, Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and Zebra Technologies.