Tuesday, the American Gaming Association (AGA) hit the road to Iowa for the first of several events held in battleground states where casino gaming supports more than half-a-million jobs and contributes $75 billion to local communities. The event is part of AGA’s national initiative “Gaming Votes,” which ensures that 2016 presidential candidates understand gaming’s vital role in providing middle-class jobs and driving economic growth, while also informing gaming employees about the candidates as they visit the state.
Held at Ameristar Council Bluffs, the AGA and the Iowa Gaming Association (IGA) convened a roundtable conversation with elected officials, community leaders and casino employees who shared firsthand how the gaming industry has had a positive impact on its state and local economies. In Iowa, 18 commercial casinos support nearly 17,000 jobs and generate $2.5 billion in economic activity and nearly $740 million in tax revenues.
Gaming Votes participants included:
- U.S. Congressman David Young (R-IA-3);
- Wes Ehrecke, CEO of IGA;
- Ron Tekippe, president of HGM Associates Inc.;
- Bob Mundt, president and CEO of the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce; and
- Kelley Kulesa, marketing and player development manager at Ameristar Council Bluffs.
Fox42 Omaha reported on the roundtable discussion and interviewed Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh, who described the gaming industry’s impact on the local economy. Watch the video below:
Walsh also discussed local tax revenue with KMA Land, saying:
The amount of tax revenue that goes into the state of Iowa, I believe $276 million annually, is a phenomenal number that wasn’t there 20 years ago when the industry started up. In Council Bluffs locally, we get about $4 million in tax revenue from the casinos, but what else happens is…it causes a ripple effect in the vendor-customer industry.
The Gaming Votes tour lets those closest to gaming tell their story, emphasizing how our industry improves communities.
Local newspaper The Daily Nonpareil quoted Tekippe saying, “It’s all about getting the truth out there.”
For Council Bluffs, the community has benefited from gaming revenue, which supports the public library and the city recreation complex.
Voters Support Candidates Who Support Gaming
According to a new poll and as reported by Politico Influence, Iowans across the political spectrum not only support casino gaming, but also are more likely to support a candidate who recognizes that casinos create jobs and serve as an important role in economic development.
As election season picks up steam, AGA will include candidates’ views of gaming in our first-ever voter guide and mobilize employees to support candidates who support casino gaming.
National Message to Presidential Candidates
Also, as part of the Gaming Votes initiative, AGA continues its national communications and sent 14 letters last week to announced 2016 presidential candidates urging them to support the gaming industry and reminding them that nine in 10 American voters approve of gaming.
The CDC Gaming called this push “savvy,” stating that “the road to the White House in 2016 will travel through casino states.”
By highlighting casino gaming nationally and in key battleground states, we will continue to educate, represent and mobilize our employees – voters – and ensure they have the opportunity to make their voices heard when candidates visit in the months ahead.
As we continue the Gaming Votes road tour, please let us know if you’d like to get involved. We welcome hearing how gaming has positively impacted your life. And urge you to join us in encouraging candidates to experience casino gaming facilities firsthand to learn how gaming is powering the economy.
