A Down-to-Earth Discussion with Bill Miller, Head Cheese at the American Gaming Association
Gaming Association Predictions for Casino Industry in 2024 and Insights for 2025
Meet Bill Miller, the big gun at the American Gaming Association (AGA). In his 7 years (and counting!) at the helm, Miller's been riding the wave of triumph and challenge. He's seen the downfall of the Bradley Act, leap-frogging sports betting opportunities for the US gaming industry. And how! But then, whammo! Just when things were looking up, Covid-19 smacked USA gaming and tribal gaming down, leaving them moaning hors de combat for months on end. But hey, they bounced back faster, firmer, bigger than Wall Street could wrap its delusional head around. Let's dive into the no-holds-barred conversation Miller had with Casino Life Magazine and see what he's got to say about the outgoing Biden admin, the incoming Trump one, the legislative shenanigans on Capitol Hill, problem gambling, media mishaps, and forecasts for 2025.
Looking Back:
What caused the AGA the most joy in 2024?
Revitalizing revenues baby! Revenues grew by a whopping seven percent across the board! We're at 45 months of consecutive growth, with few industries able to match that boast. But hey, we're not totally convinced that all that gambling is legal. Remember, the media's done a dreadful job grasping the actualities of building a legal sports betting industry from scratch.
It wasn't Easy:
Nope, but that's the fun part - not that we're complaining. Trying to educate non-gaming reporters on the structure of the industry on a state-by-state basis was as tough as selling Procter & Gamble products (ha!) through a sieve. Journalists, man. Can't say we always nail the content. But thanks for that, eh? Anyway, considering the depths of Covid, who'd anticipated the gaming industry could be a mainstream entertainment option for Americans? People thought it was just a sugar high, but as it turns out, we ain't that easy to kill off.
The Wallet Street Conundrum:
Yeah, they were hangin' onto that recession theory like white on rice, but we've been showing them otherwise. We are freakin' resilient, even in the face of macroeconomic concerns. We took one heck of a hit during Covid, and hey, we ain't saints. But we sure as heck proved we're tougher than they think.
The Biggest Battles:
Where were the disappointments? No specific blowouts, but illegal gambling ain't gonna disappear anytime soon. The offshore gaming market's like a networking monster, growing its tendrils despite our best efforts. But we had some successes like Bovada pulling out of 13 states due to cease-and-desist letters from attorneys general or the removal of those gray-market skill game machines in places like Pennsylvania or Virginia. That left the legal operators standing tall, and more importantly, protected the consumers.
Playing Uncle Sam:
Shoot, despite our hard work, we didn't get much love from the highest level of the Department of Justice. But we're working smarter with the FBI and keeping the pressure on those illegal operators who might be funding other nefarious activities.
The State Solution:
Since the feds didn't help much, we took our case to the states. State AGs were all ears, and we got what we wanted. Not bad, but there's a whole lot more to be done.
GGW: The Senate Showdown:
Oh, I watched that Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on sports betting, and I gotta say, I was disappointed we didn't have industry representation. But Dave Rebuck held his own, poking holes in the claim that state legislators are ill-equipped to handle sports betting. Of course, there'll always be some political theater, but sports betting may end up being dragged into non-gaming topics down the line.
The Future:
We've got our fingers crossed for the new administration. The next Congress will always have its share of drama, but we don't expect to be the main act. We're focused on educating legislators who support our industry and stomping out those pesky illegal gambling operations. As for the NCAA, boy, they've got some big challenges coming, from unionized athletes to the transfer portal. And hey, if it intersects with sports betting, then possibly us.
The Media Misunderstandings:
The media, specifically the legacy media, has fuzzy thoughts about our industry. They rely on stereotypes that often don't match reality. They haven't got a clue about the difference between the illegal and legal markets, throwing everything in one big bucket when reporting. We've been pushing back hard on this.
The Chance of Federal Regulation:
Nope, the current structure's fine, and states are in charge of regulation. Federal interference isn't going to be warmly welcomed by state governments or legislators. We're less hopeful for federal regulation now than in the past.
Working with Tribes:
We've always got our ear to the ground for tribes interested in the AGA. We reckon geographical diversity is crucial, but we're always keen to hear from tribes. Big up to our mates at the Indian Gaming Association.
Responsible Gambling:
Oh jeez, supposin' we ain't doin' enough… we remind people genewise that responsibility's in our blueprints. We're one of the most highly regulated industries in the country and engage in best practices to ensure player safety. Don't like us? Ask everyday Americans. They think gambling's a Californian dream, a mainstream entertainment option that they love.
Financial Woes:
Proposed new tariffs, middle-class tax hikes, or cuts to Social Security ain't gonna slam dunk our industry in the short term. We're built to withstand shocks, and if anything, might attract more people looking for a little entertainment when times are tough. And hey, if the tips tax reduction passes, look out.
Workforce Worries:
We rely on a sizable workforce, many of whom are immigrants. We'd prefer a thoughtful policymaking approach that considers both rule of law and the employment impact on our thriving industry.
Expansion Horizons:
New York City, California, Texas. These are our best prospects for expansion. Will be interesting to watch NYC move closer to legalization in the coming year, while California figures out the sports betting Gordian knot with tribes. Texas may take longer, but they're a big state with huge potential. And hey, who doesn't love Texas?
Breaking it Down: The Skinny on Illegal Offshore Gambling
Federal laws like the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act restrict financial transactions involving illegal online gambling and target unlicensed operators, but state enforcement is more common. For example, Tennessee, through its Sports Wagering Council, has taken action against offshore sportsbooks by issuing fines and forcing them to shut down. The American Gaming Association promotes consumer protections and supports stronger collaboration between federal agencies and state authorities to eradicate illegal operators. The combined efforts aim to protect consumers from unregulated markets and keep the gaming industry safe and fair for all.[1][3][5]
- In his tenure at the American Gaming Association (AGA), Bill Miller has experienced both triumph and challenge, including the downfall of the Bradley Act and the subsequent opportunities for sports betting in the US gaming industry.
- The gaming industry proved to be a resilient mainstream entertainment option for Americans, even during the Covid-19 pandemic, surprising many who initially thought it was just a short-lived trend.
- The AGA faced challenges in educating non-gaming reporters about the structure of the industry on a state-by-state basis, similar to the difficulty of selling Procter & Gamble products through a sieve.
- Despite efforts to combat illegal gambling, the offshore gaming market continues to grow, presenting a significant challenge for the AGA.
- In an effort to address the issue, the AGA has had some successes, such as Bovada withdrawing from 13 states due to cease-and-desist letters from attorneys general or the removal of gray-market skill game machines in states like Pennsylvania and Virginia.
- The AGA works closely with the FBI to keep pressure on illegal operators who may be involved in funding other nefarious activities.
- Looking to the future, the AGA is focused on educating legislators who support the industry, stamping out illegal gambling operations, and addressing the challenges faced by the NCAA, such as unionized athletes and the transfer portal, which may intersect with sports betting.
