American Gaming Association Releases Guide to Combat Human Trafficking in Gaming
In a recent press release, the American Gaming Association (“AGA”) announced the release of a guide to combat human trafficking within the gaming industry. Preventing and Combating Human Trafficking in the Gaming Industry is the first step of its newly founded Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force.
“Today’s announcement marks the first step in the task force’s ongoing work to enhance the gaming industry’s anti-trafficking efforts,” said Alex Costello, AGA’s vice president, government relations. “While many gaming companies already have robust anti-human trafficking policies, this guide will serve as an essential tool for the industry to assess and strengthen its current protocols.”
The guide builds on efforts by hospitality and nonprofit partners with the U.S. Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and Treasury. This guide will serve to help direct the gaming industry on applying anti-human trafficking practices such as:
- Educating individuals on what constitutes human trafficking, its risks to the gaming industry, and how to intervene.
- Empowering gaming employees to act when they notice human trafficking.
- Preventing human trafficking from occurring at—or being facilitated through—gaming operations.
- Addressing the specific needs of gaming executives as they institute anti-trafficking policies.
- Protecting patrons and employees from human trafficking.
Additionally, the guide addresses areas including sex trafficking and forced labor; state and federal anti-trafficking laws and enforcement; anti-money
laundering measures; trafficking myths and realities; and best practices for preventing, spotting, and responding to trafficking at commercial and tribal gaming operations.
Members of the AGA actively apply anti-trafficking practices, including training employees, displaying proper signage, working with law enforcement, and partnering with shelters and nonprofits.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said, “The AGA, our members, and the entire gaming industry are committed to stamping out all forms of human trafficking. Further, Through the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, we will continue to bring the industry together to defeat this evil and pervasive human rights offense.”
Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force is comprised of executives of AGA member organizations with expertise in anti-money laundering compliance, legal and other specialized sectors of the gaming industry, hospitality, and security and plans to continue advancing anti-human trafficking efforts over the coming months.
Pokagon Band of Potawatomi and Its Four Winds Casinos Announce Beneficiary of 2022 Four Winds Invitational at Media Day
The Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians and its Four Winds Casinos announced that they hosted a media day at South Bend Country Club as part of the buildup to the 2022 Four Winds Invitational. At the media day, they named Beacon Children’s Hospital as the tournament’s beneficiary. Proceeds will be used for a Quad Cab NICU Transport, which will allow Beacon Children’s Hospital to transport premature infants and the entire Specialty Care Team safely.
Jen Tonkovich, Director of Women and Children’s Services for Beacon Health System, said, “We would like to thank the Pokagon Band, its Four Winds Casinos, and all of the sponsors for their continued generous support over the years. Receiving the proceeds from the Four Winds Invitational has not only helped us better serve children and families in the region, but also help us plan for the future in ways we can continue to improve our quality of care. This year’s contribution will complete the purchase of the Quad Cab NICU Transport we announced in 2021.”
“The Pokagon Band and our Four Winds Casinos are very proud of our longtime sponsorship of the Four Winds Invitational, which has generated close to $800,000 in proceeds for Beacon Health System and Beacon Children’s Hospital over the last 10 years,” said Rebecca Richards, Tribal Chairwoman for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi. “We are looking forward to the 11th edition of the tournament this year and appreciate the continued support from the South Bend community, including our sponsors, vendors, volunteers, team members, as well as our partners, the LPGA Epson Tour and South Bend Country Club.”
Frank Freedman, Chief Operating Officer of Four Winds Casinos, added, “Including this year’s $200,000 purse, we have offered over $1.3 million in prize money since we began hosting the Four Winds Invitational in 2012. Having the tournament take place at South Bend Country Club, along with proceeds going to Beacon Children’s Hospital, has made the Four Winds Invitational one of the most popular events on the LPGA Epson Tour.”
The Four Winds Invitational is part of the Epson Tour, the world’s most established women’s qualifying tour as the one “Road to the LPGA.” The tournament will occur from Friday, August 12, through Sunday, August 14, at South Bend Country Club.
SBC Summit North America Conference on Sports Betting and iGaming Event Coming Up in July
The SBC Summit North America, a leading conference and tradeshow dedicated to the ever-growing online betting and gaming industry in the US and Canada, will be taking place on July 12-14, 2022 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center, New Jersey.
The SBC Summit has four different conference tracks:
- Sports Betting Leaders
- iGaming Americas
- Regulatory Roundup
- Payments
According to the event website, the event will provide attendees with an opportunity to explore the sports betting and igaming industry as well as a chance to learn more about what is happening in the market as well as product innovation. Several networking events are scheduled along with the conference which will allow attendees to meet members of leadership teams, operators, product and technology specialists, representatives of tribal and commercial casinos, investors regulators, legal exports, professional sports league and teams and marketing strategists.
Registration is open to the public; click here for more information. The event agenda, as well as list of sessions, speakers and networking opportunities can be found on the event website.