Leading Trade Groups Announce Partnership to Address Issues Facing Global Gaming Industry

Leading Trade Groups Announce Partnership to Address Issues Facing Global Gaming Industry

Three major trade associations representing the interests of gaming operators in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe have declared a partnership. 

On Wednesday, the American Gaming Association, the UK’s Betting & Gaming Council, and the European Casino Association revealed a memorandum of understanding that signifies the start of a transatlantic partnership to exchange industry values and priorities. The three organizations pledged to tackle important issues confronting the global gaming sector, such as continuous initiatives to combat illegal gambling, enhance responsible gaming, foster innovation, and ensure casino security.

"This new partnership is a significant step forward in our collective efforts to advance the legal gaming industry and protect consumers around the globe,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “By sharing our unique resources, we will expand our fight against illegal gambling to new fronts, work together to strengthen responsible gaming, and innovate around business best practices.”

The joint announcement was made at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), which is taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. The event wraps up today. 

Area of Study 

The three trade associations, which advocate for laws and regulations beneficial to the casinos and gaming entities they represent, claim their collaboration will enhance the advancement of collective research and accelerate the adoption of new best practices. 

The initial initiative, the groups stated, will be a roundtable for law enforcement in January 2025. The conversation will focus on how unlawful gambling affects the regulated sector and jeopardizes consumers. 

The session will examine methods to improve communication across jurisdictions and the creation of "actionable solutions" to tackle the issues related to illegal gambling, as detailed in a statement about the collaboration. 

Gaming Is Becoming Younger 

The worldwide gaming sector is wealthier than it's ever been. In 2023, the United States, the wealthiest gaming nation globally, produced nearly $110 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from both commercial and tribal gaming activities. 

The gaming industry keeps growing on a global scale. The upcoming casino sector in the United Arab Emirates is expected to contribute around $5 billion each year in additional GGR, as new casinos are also continuing to launch in the Philippines, Vietnam, and South Korea. 

Macau's recovery from COVID-19 is still in progress. In the US, casinos are still launching in regions such as Virginia and Illinois, while the worldwide industry is closely watching the upcoming integrated casino resort projects in New York City. 

Miller mentioned at G2E this week that the gaming audience, at least in the U.S., is finally becoming younger. Following years of experimenting with fresh concepts, such as electronic games that featured skill components, since millennials were believed to have less interest in slots compared to their parents and grandparents, Miller notes that the industry's creators have ultimately discovered new methods to attract younger audiences. Wagering on sports has contributed as well.

"A decade ago, the gaming industry was trying to figure out why we weren’t appealing to younger generations. The mantra back then was, well, we’ll get them when they’re 50,” Miller explained.

Miller detailed that the average age of a casino patron in 2019 was 50. Today, it’s 42.

“This is a huge shift,” Miller said. “It’s one that we need to keep driving to stay on the growth trajectory.”