AGA Says They Require More Federal Funds To Stay In Business

• The American Gaming Association (AGA) is requesting more financial help through federal aid, specifically the current proposal known as the HEALS Act.
• According to the President and CEO of the AGA, Bill Miller, further funding is crucial for the gaming industry in the United States to weather the storm of COVID-19.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Congress has much to discuss before they adjourn on August 10, including more relief for the American Gaming Association (AGA), who has said they need more federal help to stay in business from losses created by the outbreak of COVID-19.

The AGA received financial relief in March with the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). However, since the pandemic has continued to rage on, and five months later, they need more funding.

Congress is currently in talks to provide assistance to a number of organizations through the Health, Economic Assistance, Liability Protection, and Schools Act (HEALS Act) and would like to get the wheels in motion for this Act to begin helping people before they adjourn.

The AGA wants to ensure that they are part of those listed as beneficiaries of this Act as many details have not yet been agreed on.

How The HEALS Act Could Help The AGA

Recipients of the CARES Act would be eligible to receive further assistance from the HEALS Act. Through the proposal of the HEALS Act, businesses like those of the AGA would be able to receive liability protection. They would be relieved of tax issues and be granted credits for impending taxes dealing with health and safety measures.

Moreover, while it’s still in draft form, Tribal gaming would see a 25% jump in unemployment funds. They could see 75% being paid rather than the 50% that the CARES Act allotted them. The President and CEO of the AGA, Bill Miller would like to highlight a few more core pieces of legislation in the HEALS Act prior to it passing to ensure the stability of the legal gaming industry getting through the Coronavirus.

Miller wants extra help for employees and PPE tax credits. He would also like to solidify incentives by Congress that would encourage traveling and tourism once again so that gaming establishments will be able to produce adequate profits as they continue to reopen.

What’s Next?

There is about a week left for Congress to put the HEALS Act into motion. The AGA will continue to be there every step of the way throughout the process to be sure that their needs are being considered.

The gaming industry in the United States is a huge producer of revenue nationwide so helping them to remain open during these times is crucial for the future state of the economy.

“Negotiations this week have thus far yielded little progress toward a bipartisan agreement,” said Miller in a letter for AGA members. “There are significant gaps between the HEALS and HEROES Act, with many thorny issues that will need to be resolved including extension of unemployment benefits and funding for state and local governments. We will keep you updated throughout the process as policymakers work to pass a bill before August recess.”