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US – AGA highlights casino impact in Maryland

By - 27 June 2017

The American Gaming Association last week made its third stop on the American Gaming Small Business Jobs Tour at Live! Casino & Hotel in Maryland.

At a roundtable, stakeholders touted gaming’s strong community impact in Anne Arundel County, MD and across the entire state. The event highlighted the 350,000 small business jobs nationwide supported by the gaming industry and the nearly 3,000 small business jobs in Maryland. In Maryland alone, gaming employs 11,000 people, supports $446m in wages, generates over $635m in tax revenue and has an economic impact of over $1.7bn.

The roundtable was in conjunction with the Minority Outreach Fair at Live! Casino, which connects small-, minority- and women-owned firms with prime companies interested in doing business with them. The gaming industry is particularly proud of our support for minority and women-owned businesses and the unique opportunities that our industry makes possible.

Don Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee, introduced the panel and highlighted AGA’s American Gaming Small Business Jobs Tour, which showcases gaming’s strong partnership with small businesses.

“We love nothing more than coming in to properties like this…to get out in the local communities and highlight what this industry is all about,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the AGA. “Gaming has a good story to tell: in terms of the economic impact, job creation, revenue generation and small business partnership. We will continue to travel to communities all across the country to highlight gaming’s positive story.”

Rob Norton, Cordish Global Gaming president, highlighted Live’s engagement with the community and partnership with minority and women-owned businesses. Tony Hill, Edwards & Hill Office Furniture managing partner, said that he’s been able to expand his small business from seven employees to 22 because of the work he’s done with Live! Casino.

Ashley Pointer discussed her rise in the gaming industry, from starting in valet to working her way up to become the director of finance for Live! Casino. She also discussed the mentors she’s made while working in the gaming industry and the immense career opportunities made available to her. Maryland State Sen. Ed DeGrange Sr. highlighted the tax revenue that’s been generated by Live! for the entire state of Maryland as well as the contributions the casinos have made to the state’s Education Trust Fund.

Lyn Hopkins, Assistance League of the Chesapeake incoming president, highlighted how her organization has been able to provide clothing and school supplies to underprivileged youth in the area because of their partnership with the casino. Erin McNaboe, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County chairperson, highlighted how the casino has helped boost tourism in the area.

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