The United States’ gaming industry contributed $367m in charitable giving during 2018, reports the American Gaming Association, as it published research analysing the scope of the casino gaming industry’s community impact, and commitment to communities, employees and customers.
Undertaken alongside the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Center, it was revealed that a large proportion of companies are committed to responsibility as an integral part of strategic goals, in addition to a belief that the overall success of the gaming industry depends on how well companies can support the communities they serve.
It was further reported that the gaming industry outpaces most private sector industries in its commitment to diverting waste from landfill, and instituting green building and water conservation programs.
Bill Miller, president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, said of the research: “Above all else, the gaming industry’s highest priority is to promote responsibility in all that we do, from being constructive partners in the communities where we operate, providing exceptional career opportunities to industry employees, and ensuring all patrons have the tools they need to engage in our offerings in a responsible manner.
“Today’s report shows that the gaming industry is making good on our promise to be responsible community partners, contributing economically and socially to communities across the country.”
Further key findings emanating from the report include 93 percent of companies have comprehensive recycling and energy efficiency programs, 50 per cent higher than the overall private sector, with 69 percent having an institutionalised diversity and inclusion hiring effort.
Furthermore, it was found that industry employees contribute more than 422,000 volunteer hours per year, nearly five-times more hours per employee than technology industry employees, as well as one-hundred percent of AGA member companies surveyed having a responsible gaming policy.
Carolyn Cawley, president of the US Chamber Foundation, commented: “While corporate social responsibility reports continue to become standard practice among American businesses, it is rare to see the collective impact of an entire sector.
“We’re proud to work with AGA to release this groundbreaking research, that illustrates the gaming industry’s positive efforts in the communities they serve.”
The foundation analysed corporate social responsible of AGA members, including a variety of company types and sizes, through quantitative and qualitative research.
Surveying and interviewing 15 AGA member respondents on the scale and scope of their corporate social responsibilities, those companies represented 168 casino properties, 235,000 US employees and $33bn in total revenue.
