American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller has labelled changes to the US’ ‘Payment Protection Program’ as falling “woefully short of fully addressing antiquated, discriminatory policies”
Earlier this month the association stressed concern after small gaming entities and their employees were excluded from receiving economic support under the newly-established PPP.
This subsequently led to the AGA writing to President Trump regarding the program, with it also said that dozens of bipartisan members of Congress also called the administration regarding the exclusion.
Stressing that casino gaming is “vital” to local small business, supporting 350,000 jobs and delivering $52bn in revenue, Miller address the “critical lifeline” that is necessary for such entities.
Releasing a statement on the revised interim regulatory guidelines that the Small Business Administration issued for the PPP, Miller started: “The Small Business Administration today released revised regulatory guidelines that will allow additional small businesses that derive revenue from legal gaming to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program.
“While these changes represent some progress, they fall woefully short of fully addressing antiquated, discriminatory policies that have, to date, restricted small gaming companies from accessing critical loan support made available through the Cares Act. As a result of this half-measure, small gaming businesses that have closed to comply with government orders will continue to be denied access to this critical lifeline to support their employees.”
The global COVID-19 pandemic has seen all 989 commercial and tribal casino properties across the country shutdown operations, with the AGA pointing to wider impacts, such as 1.8 million jobs supported at non-gaming businesses.
Furthermore, it is said that $10.7bn in gaming taxes and tribal revenue share payments support fundamental and critical programs from infrastructure to education.
“The American Gaming Association is grateful for the leadership of a significant group of bipartisan, bicameral members of Congress who have advocated tirelessly for equal treatment of small commercial and tribal gaming operations in their communities,” added Miller
“As Congress seeks to put additional resources behind the PPP, we look forward to working with them to make it clear that ‘we are all in this together’ by rejecting the SBA’s dangerous view that gaming employees don’t deserve assistance during this unprecedented crisis.
“The AGA will continue to strongly advocate for relief that supports the displaced gaming workforce and gaming companies of all sizes through this crisis.”
