Friday, Aug. 31, 2001 | 9:46 a.m.
Editor's note: In August Where I Stand is written by guest columnists. Today's writer, Frank J. Fahrenkopf Jr., is president and CEO of the American Gaming Association.
ON OCT. 1 the doors of a trade show and conference will open at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Hardly news, you say, to a city that probably hosts more such shows than any other in the world. Well, it actually is news because the opening of Global Gaming Expo (G2E) represents the formal "coming-out" of gaming-entertainment as a mainstream industry in this country. I say formal because for almost a decade now the gaming industry, guided by Nevada companies and leadership, has played a growing role in the national economy.
Just over a decade ago it would have been hard to imagine the scenario that exists today, with commercial casinos in 11 states, Indian casinos in 27, slots at racetracks in five states and gambling worldwide on the Internet. This expansion has led to greater public scrutiny from individuals, the media and the U.S. Congress, some of which has caused specific threats to the well-being of our industry, our work force and, ultimately, the cities and towns where we do business.
This new -- and sometimes hostile -- environment brought our industry together, putting competitive differences aside to work on industrywide priorities. Today it is easy to say that coming together only makes sense. In June of 1995 when we opened the doors of the American Gaming Association (AGA) to combat that hostile environment, it was no sure bet that the industry could pull together for the common good.
The proof is in the successes of the past six years, and G2E is an example of the industry working together for the industry. In fact, we're proud to say, as its sponsors, that G2E is a trade show and conference developed by the industry and for the industry.
That isn't to say the industry still isn't competitive. A drive down the Strip will show just how competitive the industry remains. But on issues of considerable importance, the entire industry is able to act as one -- a fact that is important to the economic health of all gaming communities. And nowhere is it more true than right here in Las Vegas.
Let me give a few examples:
When the National Gambling Impact Study Commission was formed, the industry pulled together, providing the AGA incredible support in community after community by providing witnesses who could discuss the benefits brought by the industry, responding to false allegations from gambling opponents, and doing everything possible to ensure the commercial casino industry was treated fairly in the final report.
When the U.S. Congress has considered gambling-related legislation, and opponents have argued their case by perpetuating stereotypes about the industry -- claiming everything from crime to bankruptcy to destabilization of the U.S. military -- the AGA has responded with independent research discrediting those allegations.
The commercial casino industry, more than any other segment of the industry, has pulled together to address disordered gambling. After consulting with scientific experts, the AGA, with the financial support of its members, created the National Center for Responsible Gaming (NCRG) to fund independent, peer-reviewed research on pathological gambling and youth gambling and to spearhead public education efforts. In just five years, the industry has committed more than $7 million to this effort, and the NCRG already has issued more than $3 million in research grants, which have yielded groundbreaking research into prevention and treatment. The AGA itself has sponsored an ongoing responsible gaming national education campaign, mobilizing everyone involved in the industry, from our companies and employees to government regulators, state mental health officials, t reatment providers and other segments of the gaming industry.
By pulling together we also have managed to become a player in the political process in Washington. As an industry providing jobs for more than 1 million people, we have learned that we can have greater impact if we speak as an industry rather than just as individual companies. As other legal industries donate money to political candidates, we, too, have encouraged our companies to contribute.
To steal a phrase from former president Ronald Reagan, "Are we better off now than we were six years ago?" While we are still faced with many challenges, we have made significant progress in educating the public, policymakers and others about gaming. While some may still hold onto the stereotypes about our industry, we've made significant inroads through a combination of public outreach and political activism.
And now, with the addition of our new trade show and conference, we are taking another step in bringing the industry in line with other mainstream businesses. Like most of the tens of thousands of national trade associations, we need to provide our employees with education, training and industry networking opportunities. G2E helps do that. So, when the citizens of Las Vegas read about the trade show opening Oct. 1, I hope they do more than shrug. I hope they go to the show, because, on top of seeing the best gaming products exhibition in the world, they'll be supporting the "coming out" of an industry vital to us all.
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