Serving as chief spokesman for the American Gaming Association is not a simple task.
Universal consensus among the AGA’s diverse membership is oftentimes a challenge. Chris Moyer, however, skillfully handed the role as the AGA’s senior director of public affairs for the last three years, conveying the organization’s message and helping to raise the profile of the gaming industry’s largest trade and advocacy group.
Moyer grew into the position as the AGA – under the leadership of CEO Geoff Freeman – evolved into a more active organization, willing to take on sometimes-controversial policy positions.
Moyer recently announced he was leaving the AGA after three years to return to the political battlefield. Next month, Moyer joins the staff of new California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as deputy communications director.
California is the leading Indian gaming state, producing one-fourth of the nation’s annual overall Indian gaming revenues. Meanwhile, legalizing Internet poker is a yearly topic for debate in the state’s legislature. Moyer’s gaming policy experience will help him in Sacramento.
Moyer was one of Freeman’s initial hires at the AGA in 2014, plucking the Boston University graduate and native of New Hampshire away from Capitol Hill.
Moyer worked closely with Sara Slane, the AGA’s senior vice president of public affairs and the organization delved into various policy matters, such as issues surrounding sports betting legalization. The AGE marshalled support to block an ill-advised Internal Revenue Service proposal that would have lowered casinos’ jackpot reporting threshold.
Moyer oversees the AGA’s “Get to Know Gaming” public affairs campaign and he developed and executed numerous media strategies. He was fierce advocate for the industry and the organization. I should know – we had numerous debates on matters when I covered the industry for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Working as a Capitol Hill press aide in the offices of former Senators Harry Reid (D-Nevada) and Kay Hagan (D-North Carolina) gave Moyer the tools necessary to help navigate gaming’s tricky waters.
He earned his battle scars during Reid’s contentious 2010 re-election campaign, serving as press secretary in Las Vegas. Moyer also worked for Boston Mayor Tom Menino during his 2009 re-election.
Last year, Moyer took a leave of absence from the AGA for the final eight weeks of the presidential campaign to serve as Hilary Clinton’s regional press secretary in Ohio.
A chance to work with Becerra – a former member of Congress who was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to replace newly-elected U.S. Sen. Kamala Harris – puts Moyer back into the rough and tumble political arena.
“I’m grateful to have been part of the team Geoff and Sara assembled to ensure the AGA serves its members well and aggressively touts the benefits of gaming across the country,” Moyer wrote in an email to friends and colleagues last week.
I wish Chris Moyer the best of luck in his new position. The gaming industry benefitted from his efforts and the gaming media is losing a valuable resource.
Howard Stutz oversees corporate communications for Golden Entertainment Inc.
