Press Releases
American Favorability Toward Gaming Grows as Industry Expands

Americans’ positive view of the gaming industry continues to grow as the U.S. legal market expands. New research from the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows that two-thirds of adults view the industry as a positive economic contributor that provides high-quality jobs and 73 percent support legalized sports betting in their state.
Americans also see gaming as a good community partner. Nearly 7 in 10 Americans believe the gaming industry behaves responsibly and a majority (57%) believe the industry gives back in the communities where it operates.
“We are a committed, responsible partner and economic driver in communities across the country,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller. “Because of this, we’ve risen from the most devastating period in our history and embarked on a record-setting comeback.”
Americans are taking notice of the industry’s responsible gaming efforts. The number of Americans who say the industry is committed to responsible gaming has increased by nearly 40 percent since 2018. Further, nearly 80 percent of past-year gamblers are aware of industry-provided responsible gaming resources. Of this group, three-quarters point to specific measures like deposit limits, casino employee training, and time limits as most effective.
These findings come at the start of Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW), Sept. 19-25, which brings together all industry stakeholders to promote responsible gaming education while also showcasing the industry’s everyday commitment to responsible gaming.
“Responsible Gaming Education Week provides an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work our members and industry do every day to invest in responsible gaming education,” continued Miller. “As legal gaming expands to new geographies and verticals, everyone engaged with legal gaming must work together to grow responsibly—our collective success depends on it.”
RGEW 2021 features AGA’s Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ public service campaign, which is uniting the growing sports betting industry to educate and encourage responsible sports wagering. Through partnerships with sports leagues and teams, gaming operators and suppliers, and media companies, the campaign teaches consumers the fundamentals of responsible sports wagering: setting a budget and sticking to it, knowing the odds, keeping it social, and only playing with legal operators.
The AGA, with its members, is building a responsible foundation for legal sports betting. AGA’s Responsible Marketing Code for Sports Wagering, launched a year ago, defines a robust set of principles to protect consumers and sets a high standard for advertising with self-imposed restrictions on target audiences, outlets, and materials branding, while mandating responsible gaming inclusion across marketing activity.
Ensuring consumers have effective, accessible resources if they need help is key to sustainable growth. The AGA recently released policy recommendations for streamlining helpline requirements in national or multistate advertising campaigns, which have since been adopted in Indiana.
Casino gaming is legal in 44 states with the addition of four states in the last five years. Sports betting is legal in 32 states and the District of Columbia while six states offer legal iGaming.
Through July, the commercial gaming industry has generated $4.83 billion in 2021, putting the industry on pace to break its annual revenue record set in 2019. The AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker is tracking gaming’s record-setting recovery.
Methodology
Survey results come from two online polls conducted on behalf of the American Gaming Association in the late summer among national samples of 2,000 Americans. The data were weighted to approximate a target sample of adults based on age, educational attainment, gender, race, and region. Results from the two full surveys have a margin of error of +/-2%.
- Kantar fielded its survey between August 13-September 1, 2021 among a national sample of 2,000 American voters aged 21 and older.
- YouGov conducted its survey between June 26-31, 2021 among a national sample of 2,033 American aged 21 and older.
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Arizona Department of Gaming and Arizona Lottery Announce Proclamation Recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month

State agencies join forces to raise awareness, promote prevention, and provide tools for safe and responsible play.
The Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) and the Arizona Lottery are proud to announce a joint effort in support of a new Proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Responsible Gaming Education Month in Arizona.
Responsible gaming is about ensuring that individuals who choose to play have the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to make informed decisions and enjoy gaming as a form of entertainment. While problem gambling initiatives focus on helping those already experiencing harm from gambling, responsible gaming emphasizes prevention by encouraging healthy play behaviors before they reach a critical point.
Throughout September, and continuing in the months ahead, the ADG and Arizona Lottery will work together to strengthen education and awareness initiatives. The goal is to equip players with strategies and resources that help them keep gaming fun and safe, while helping reduce the risks associated with problem gambling.
“For over 30 years, the Arizona Department of Gaming has safeguarded the integrity of gaming through strong consumer protections, enforcement against illegal operators, and support services for those impacted by problem gambling,” said Jackie Johnson, Arizona Department of Gaming Agency Director. “During Responsible Gaming Education Month, we remind everyone that part of playing responsibly is being informed—always double-check before you place your bet to ensure you are using a legal, regulated operator at gaming.az.gov/checkyourbet.”
The Arizona Lottery also remains steadfast in its commitment to responsible play and has a Level 2 certification with the World Lottery Association for responsible gaming. Lottery games benefit the people of Arizona by generating critical revenue that funds education, healthcare, environmental conservation, and economic development. At the same time, the Lottery prioritizes the well-being of its players. Each ticket includes clear odds of winning, vending machines display game odds, and the 1-800-NEXT-STEP helpline is featured across Lottery products and advertising.
“We are proud to deliver entertainment that benefits communities across our state, while recognizing our responsibility to promote safe play,” said Alec Thomson, Arizona Lottery Executive Director. “Through transparency and awareness, we want every player to have the tools they need to make informed decisions and enjoy the Lottery responsibly.”
As Arizona observes Responsible Gaming Education Month, ADG and the Arizona Lottery encourage all players to stay informed, know their limits, and seek help if needed. Together, we can ensure that gaming remains a source of entertainment that strengthens, rather than harms, Arizona communities.
For more information and resources, visit gaming.az.gov/ResponsibleGaming or ArizonaLottery.com/ResponsibleGaming. If you or someone you know may be struggling with problem gambling, call or text 1-800-NEXT-STEP for confidential support available 24/7.
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Woodbine partners with 1/ST for Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Qualifier

Woodbine Entertainment has announced a partnership with 1/ST that will see the bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) become a qualifying race for the Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G2).
The winner of this year’s $200,000 bet365 Dance Smartly Stakes at Woodbine Racetrack will receive an automatic invitation to the 2026 $500,000 Pegasus World Cup Filly & Mare Turf at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, Florida.
The Dance Smartly, to be held on Saturday, October 4 at Woodbine, will be contested at 1 1/16 miles on the bet365 Inner Turf Course and is part of a stacked card headlined by the returning $750,000 Canadian International (G1).
“We’re pleased to partner with the team at 1/ST Racing to add this unique bonus to the Dance Smartly,” said Tim Lawson, Vice-President of Thoroughbred Racing for Woodbine. “Pegasus World Cup Day has become an outstanding showcase of our sport and it’s exciting that the opportunity to be part of it will be connected to a prominent race on one of our biggest days of the season.”
The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of racing’s leading luxury, lifestyle and sporting event. The Pegasus World Cup debuted in 2017 as part of 1/ST’s mission to excite, energize and modernize the sport of racing for a new generation of fans and to provide lucrative opportunities for Thoroughbred owners and trainers. The event annually attracts the sport’s biggest names and is viewed globally.
“We’re thrilled to partner with Woodbine in linking the Dance Smartly to Pegasus World Cup Day,” said Aidan Butler, President of 1/ST. “This collaboration strengthens the global profile of both events, while providing horsemen and fans with a world-class pathway from Toronto to South Florida.”
The 2026 Pegasus World Cup will be held in January.
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Plaza Hotel & Casino Partners with Aristocrat Gaming™ debuts Downtown’s First Buffalo & Mo’ Friends™ Slot Area Ribbon cutting event and launch of player promotion: Thursday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m

On Thursday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m., the Plaza Hotel & Casino will hold a ribbon cutting to celebrate the debut of a new dedicated area for fans of the wildly popular Buffalo™ and Mo’ Mummy™ slot game franchises and other player-favorite Aristocrat Gaming titles. With 63 games, the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends slot area at the Plaza is the only one in downtown Las Vegas.
Located between the casino cage and the Plaza Rewards Players Club, the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends area at the Plaza features numerous fan-favorite Aristocrat Gaming titles, including: Buffalo Ultimate Stampede™, Buffalo Ascension™, Buffalo Power Pays™, Buffalo Triple Power™,   Coin Trio Buffalo™, Buffalo and Friends™, Buffalo Diamond Extreme™, Mo’ Mummy, Mo’ Mo’ Mo’ Mummy™, Spooky Link™, Ultimate Fast Cash™, House of the Dragon™, Phoenix Link™, Jackpot Carnival™, Firecracker Fortunes™, Dragon Link™, Lucky Looters™ and more. The eye-catching wraps, bright lights, and distinct game sounds, Buffalo & Mo’ Friends welcomes players to a dedicated space of entertainment and excitement with their favorite games and ones they have yet to experience.
“Our goal on the casino floor is to offer the newest and most popular games to our guests, and our players are big fans of the various Buffalo and Mo’ Mummy games. So, we are thrilled to partner with Aristocrat Gaming on this dedicated game area that sets the Plaza apart from the rest of downtown Las Vegas,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino.
“We pride ourselves in creating entertaining games that invite players to step into a world of fun with favorite characters, themes and gameplay features,” said Kurt Gissane, Chief Revenue Officer for Aristocrat Gaming. “The creation of the Buffalo & Mo’ Friends gaming area has truly been a collaborative effort with the Plaza team, wanting to give their players Mo’ and the new Buffalo & Mo’ Friends area certainly delivers. We look forward to seeing player excitement when they see all their favorite Aristocrat games in one vibrant area.”
To celebrate the debut of Buffalo & Mo’ Friends on Thursday, Sept. 4, the Plaza will offer Plaza Rewards players a variety of Buffalo-branded swag items and the chance of larger prizes based on the number of points accumulated daily. The Buffalo-themed promotion will last until Oct. 4 or while supplies last. Full rules available at the Plaza Rewards Players Club.
Trademark HOUSE OF THE DRAGONTM owned by Home Box Office, Inc. Used with Permission. Copyright © Home Box Office, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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