AGA releases "Facts at Your Fingertips"

Recently, the American Gaming Association (AGA) released a new publication entitled "Facts at Your Fingertips", a must read publication for anyone involved in the gaming industry. In a comprehensive fashion, the publication dispels many of the common misperceptions about the industry, and provides readers with an overall perspective on the various forms of gaming conducted in the United States.

Facts at Your Fingertips begins with an overview on the five different types of legalized gaming in the U.S. - charitable, commercial casino, lotteries, Native American gaming, and pari-mutuel wagering. The publication also includes a brief history of the modern commercial casino industry, leading into a discussion of how today's commercial casino industry is an important mainstream form of entertainment for the U.S. economy.

The publication also highlights some recent gaming industry initiatives, such as diversity and responsible gaming, and notes the proactive steps the industry has taken to achieve its goals.

Perhaps most useful in dispelling the myths about the industry is the publication's focus on economic impact, crime, pathological gaming, and underage gaming. In a concise fashion, Facts at Your Fingertips summarizes the results of several key studies relating to these important topics noting the industry's positive impact in communities where gaming is located.

From a Michigan perspective, the new publication highlights the results of an unpublished dissertation by Omar Moufakkir and Donald Holecek, of Michigan State University, entitled Impacts of Detroit Casinos on the Local Community (2002). The AGA includes the following quote from the dissertation:

"It appears that Detroit's casinos are effective in contributing to the tourism activity in the community: 1) They are effective in attracting tourists and generating new money in the area. 2) They generate taxes and employment. 3) They contribute to other community tourism-related businesses. On the other hand, crime volume did not increase following casino gaming development in the city. In addition, it was found that bankruptcy filings in Detroit did not increase in a year after the casinos opened in the city."

The publication also provides readers with a lengthy list of key contacts on a variety of topics, and contains a glossary of gaming terms for those who are new to the industry.

All in all, Facts at Your Fingertips in an excellent resource for those who are trying to understand the key groups and organizations involved in the U.S. gaming industry. It also provides plenty of facts and statistics to refute the most common misconceptions about the gaming industry. To view Facts at Your Fingertips, visit the AGA's Web site at www.americangaming.org.