The American Gaming Association (AGA) has endorsed a new legislative proposal introduced by Congressmen David Valadao (R-CA) and Troy Carter (D-LA).
The legislation aims to establish a program under the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to certify employers who train their workforce to identify and combat human trafficking.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller, commented: “Businesses across hospitality, entertainment and transportation have a responsibility to bolster the front lines in the fight against human trafficking and the gaming industry is wholly committed to this imperative. The AGA thanks Reps Valadao and Carter for their commitment to combating this detestable crime and for recognising businesses that share this commitment.”
Congressman Valadao added: “California has the highest number of reported human trafficking cases of any state in the country and it’s impacting communities right here in the Central Valley. Employees in the entertainment, hospitality and transportation industries are often the first line of defence in detecting human trafficking and it’s critical they have the necessary training to spot indicators of this crime and save lives.”
In January, during Human Trafficking Prevention Month, the AGA partnered with RG24seven Virtual Training to launch an online training program aimed at educating gaming industry employees on how to combat human trafficking. This training includes videos and quizzes and participants receive a verified certificate upon completion. The training is available at no cost to gaming companies.
Alex Costello, AGA VP of Government Relations, stated: “The legislation proposed today by Reps Valadao and Carter validates and strengthens the role of employee training in combating human trafficking. The AGA encourages businesses across the gaming industry to take advantage of AGA’s free training as part of their dedication to responsibility and protecting their communities.”
In related news, the AGA's Q1 2024 report revealed significant growth in the US commercial gaming industry, marking the 13th consecutive quarter of expansion. The report noted substantial increases in both iGaming and legal sports betting revenues.
