The American Gaming Association (AGA) has called on state governments in the US to provide extra help to the gambling industry as the sector continues to be hit by the coronavirus crisis.
Casinos and a range of other gambling venues throughout the US have been forced to shut down as many states bring in new measures to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. On Tuesday, gambling hub Nevada became the latest state to order the closure of casinos, a shutdown that is set to last for a period of at least 30 days.
Speaking on Tuesday evening, the chief executive of the AGA, Bill Miller, said that it was down to state governments to provide support to all those hit by the shutdown, saying that it has affected as many as 60% of all casino operators. He emphasised that this is likely to lead to a significant negative effect on the communities in which betting firms operate and called for action in response:
“As state governments close casinos as a part of the urgent public health response to Covid-19, elected leaders should move just as urgently to support the workers and businesses who will bear the brunt of those effects.”
Miller went on to emphasise that the AGA was focused on taking actions that could help companies to support their employees. He added that they were committed to working with all state governments for as long as the outbreak of the virus lasted, and in its aftermath, in order to provide full support for employees working in the sector. And he emphasised that the sector was resilient.
Across the wider US betting sector, companies have also been hit by the cancellation of sporting events, particularly the NBA season, and the traditional March Madness series in college basketball.