The American Gaming Association’s advocacy efforts in support of the expansion of legal sports wagering earned the Washington D.C. trade organization several awards from various communications and public affairs organizations.
AGA leaders, who represent commercial and American Indian casinos, as well as gaming equipment manufacturers, have advocated for legal sports wagering through communications and research.
Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in May 2018, 19 states and Washington D.C. passed laws and regulations to legalize sports betting, joining Nevada in bringing the activity to gaming consumers through casinos, racetracks and online. Currently, 13 states offer legal sports betting while seven more plus Washington D.C. could launch in 2020.
Casey Clark of the AGA
“The gaming industry is united in our efforts to drive out the illegal sports betting market that was perpetuated by the failed federal ban for decades, and these recognitions underscore the remarkable progress we’ve made,” said AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications Casey Clark.
He said the organization’s efforts throughout the U.S. have ensured new sports betting markets are opened both thoughtfully and through responsible means.
“The success of the industry’s collective efforts on sports betting can be seen throughout the United States, with legalization spanning more than 20 jurisdictions where consumer protections and revenue for state and local governments have been the priority,” Clark said. “The American Gaming Association is honored to share in these distinctions with our members and the entire gaming industry.”
The recognition the AGA received in 2019 includes:
- Public Relations Society of America’s Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation for the AGA’s research with Nielsen Sports quantifying the potential economic benefits of a legal sports betting market to the four major sports leagues.
- Association TRENDS’ Silver Award for Best Advocacy Campaign of 2018 for the AGA’s advocacy campaign to educate the public about the failures of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 and make the case for legal, regulated sports betting.
- American Business Awards’ Gold Stevie for Communications Campaign of the Year – Public Affairs for the AGA’s campaign to highlight the social and economic potential of legal, regulated sports betting in the United States.
- PR News Platinum’s Best Public Affairs Campaign for the AGA’s public affairs campaign to highlight the failures of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act; educate the public, policymakers, and stakeholders about the benefits of legalized sports betting; encourage sound state and sovereign tribal policies to govern legalized sports betting; and engage stakeholders in the ecosystem with productive dialogue aimed at realizing shared opportunities.
- Public Relations Society of America’s Capital Chapter THOTH Award finalist for Public Affairs program of the year for the AGA’s comprehensive public affairs campaign, comprised of commissioned research, coalition development, and strategic communications to create a seismic shift in public policy around sports betting.
In a year-end message to the organization’s membership last week, AGA CEO Bill Miller highlighted the work in several areas of sports betting, including holding off threats to reintroduce federal sports betting legislation, establishing a responsible marketing code for sports betting, promoting effective state sports betting regulation by convening meetings with gaming regulators from two dozen states.
AGA CEO Bill Miller
“Through aggressive media relations, proprietary research, and a breadth of strategic positioning activities, the AGA ensured a well-informed environment surrounding the proliferation of legal sports betting, reflecting industry positions and protecting opportunities across the country,” Miller said.
Miller, who is completing his first year as the organization’s chief executive, said the AGA made “significant investments in developing and sustaining industry allies at all levels, creating political leverage to advance gaming’s priorities with policymakers.”
Sports Business Journal included Miller on its Power Players in Sports Betting list. Miller and the AGA’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations Chris Cylke were recognized on The Hill’s list of top lobbyists of 2019.
AGA Senior Director of Government Relations Jessica Feil was recognized as a member of the Emerging Leaders of Gaming: 40 Under 40, Class of 2019-2020.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgaming.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
