With 910 US casinos closed and 642K gaming employees impacted, AGA asks Gongress and Govt for "immediate action"

American Gaming Association (AGA) President and CEO Bill Miller said Thursday that an estimated 616,000 casino gaming employees are prevented from working because of the COVID-19 outbreak-related health and safety decisions made by state governments. Nearly all (95%) of the country’s 465 commercial casinos, and three-in-four (76%) of the country’s 524 tribal casinos, have shuttered their doors, he said. On Saturday, AGA released updated numbers: at least 910 commercial and tribal casinos—or 92% of all gaming properties—have closed. 

“The impact on our employees, their families, and communities is staggering, and the implications extend far beyond the casino floor,” Miller said in a statement. “Leading technology companies that supply the industry, and the nearly 350,000 small business employees that rely on gaming for their livelihood, are also feeling the devastating blow of this unprecedented public health crisis.”

“The federal government must act swiftly and comprehensively to get America’s hospitality employees, and the small businesses that support them, back to work. Gaming employees, their families, and communities are bearing the brunt of this economic standstill and will continue to suffer if Congress and the administration don’t take immediate action.

Miller states that, in total, these mass closures will rob the U.S. economy of $43.5 billion in economic activity if American casinos remain closed for the next eight weeks.

According to AGA numbers, casino closures risk nearly $74 billion in total wages annually for workers and their families. Casino gaming supports $41 billion in annual tax revenue and tribal revenue sharing nationwide – essential support for local hospitals, first responders, and vital public services.

Half the jobs the gaming industry supports are at non-gaming businesses such as restaurants and local shops, and all will be dramatically affected by a local casino’s closure. Casino gaming delivers $52 billion annually in small business revenue, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and wholesale firms.

All New Mexico casinos shut down

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said Thursday all tribal casinos have closed statewide. The governor had previously ordered all non-tribal casinos and racetracks to close. 

The governor said in a news release that the soverign tribal nations have closed in a collective effort with New Mexico to combat the spread of COVID-19. “We are extremely grateful that our tribal partners have agreed to join us in doing everything we can to encourage social distancing as our best tool to contain the virus,” she said.

“We understand the economic hardship this creates, and our state agencies will work diligently to assist all employees affected by this temporary closure.  Public health must be our primary consideration amid this pandemic,” Grisham added.

The list of tribal casino closures includes:

• Pueblo of Acoma: Sky City Casino Hotel;
• Pueblo of Isleta: Isleta Resort and Casino and Palace West Casino;
• Pueblo of Laguna: Route 66 Casino Hotel, Dancing Eagle Casino and Casino Express;
• Ohkay Owingeh: Ohkay Casino;
• Pueblo of Pojoaque: Buffalo Thunder Resort Casino, Cities of Gold Casino and Jake’s Casino; 
• Pueblo of San Felipe: Black Mesa Casino and Slot Stop;
• Pueblo of Sandia: Sandia Casino;
• Pueblo of Santa Ana: Santa Ana Star Casino;
• Pueblo of Santa Clara: Santa Claran Casino Hotel;
• Pueblo of Taos: Taos Mountain Casino;
• Pueblo of Tesuque: Tesuque Casino;
• Navajo Nation: Fire Rock Casino, Flowing Waters Casino and Northern Edge Casino;
• Mescalero Apache: Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort Casino;
• Jicarilla Apache: Wild Horse Casino and Hotel