AGA Boosts Skill Training Bill, Holds Discussion

New bipartisan legislation introduced last month in the U.S. House of Representatives would promote programs that many casino gaming companies already implement to help workers boost their language skills, further their education and apply for citizenship.

The American Gaming Association applauded the introduction of the New Americans Success Act of 2015 by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida) and Rep. Tony Cárdenas (D-California) that improves immigrants’ access to English language and civic programs to help them fully contribute to society and the nation’s economy.

 “Casinos across the country rely on the many hard-working employees who are new to the United States, and we’re pleased to provide programs that help them succeed,” said Sara Rayme, AGA’s senior vice president of public affairs. “The casino gaming industry is proud to lead the way in supporting workers of all backgrounds and experiences who seek a path to the middle class.”

Casino gaming companies provide robust benefits programs that include citizenship assistance, continuing education and language workshops. Oxford Economics, in a report released earlier this year, detailed the various employee benefits programs companies provide. Through one program, for example, employees receive a salary advance to help pay the citizenship application fee, free Rosetta Stone English-as-a-second-language courses and access to free workshops with leading immigration attorneys and representatives from the United States Customs and Immigration Services field office.

In other AGA news, the organization hosted a roundtable discussion in July for nearly a dozen gaming academics and experts. “We convened this group to share ideas, present recent work and network with peers in a setting that does not exist anywhere else,” said Rayme. “Additionally, as part of the AGA’s multi-year public affairs campaign, ‘Get to Know Gaming,’ it provided an opportunity to outline the AGA’s policy platform and priorities and to identify potential opportunities for future engagement.”

Attendees included:

• Dr. Jay Albanese, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Dr. Clyde Barrow, University of Texas-Rio Grand Valley

• Dr. James Karmel, Harford Community College

• Dr. Joseph Kelly, SUNY College at Buffalo

• Dr. Steven Light, University of North Dakota

• Rev. Richard McGowan, Boston College

• Dr. Alan Meister, Nathan Associates, Inc.

• Dean Kathryn Rand, University of North Dakota

• Dr. David Schwartz, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Professor Alan Silver, Ohio University

• Dr. Brian Tyrrell, Stockton University

The daylong discussion included topics such as gaming history, lotteries and casino gaming, fantasy sports and sports betting, illegal gambling and criminal networks and casino gaming’s impact on national, regional and niche markets.

Rayme said the AGA is planning on expanding its network of industry experts.