Legislation aimed at providing comprehensive relief and support for the hospitality industry in the US will help “expedite the recovery” of the gaming sector, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA).

The Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act introduced by senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Keven Cramer, aims to help the convention, trade show, entertainment, travel and hospitality industries by creating new recovery incentives, for hospitality and trade shows.

The legislation will also protect jobs by enhancing the employee retention tax credit and provide recovery incentives for middle class families to help kick-start the travel economy.

AGA president and CEO Bill Miller praised the senators and believes the legislation will help the casino industry recover, after several months of closures in mid-March, and only reopening under strict COVID-19 measures.

He said: “Mandatory closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the entire American gaming industry, significantly affecting our employees and communities across the country.

“While gaming’s responsible reopening is well underway, the sustained economic damage has jeopardised our ability to sustain jobs and drive much-needed tax revenue that will be essential to our nation’s economic recovery.

“The bipartisan Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act will enable the gaming industry to retain employees and jumpstart nongaming elements of our business, like meetings and conventions, which account for the majority of our revenue in markets like the Las Vegas strip. 

“The American Gaming Association is grateful for the continued leadership of Senators Cortez Masto and Cramer, whose hard work will expedite the recovery of the entire hospitality industry and the communities we support.”

According to the AGA, 83 commercial and tribal casino properties in the US remain closed, with 910 open, albeit under strict measures.