AGA CONTINUES TO LOBBY ON INTERNET GAMBLING

15 August 2008

US land casino trade body spent $400 000 on politicking in Q2:2008


The American Gaming Association, an influential US trade body that counts many top land casinos on its membership list, continues to follow Internet gambling affairs closely, and spent $400 000 on lobbying in the second quarter of 2008, according to mandatory amended disclosures this week.

Other issues in which the AGA invested included tax legislation affecting casino gambling and patrons, including Hurricane Katrina tax bills, as well as on employee tip tax compliance, reports Associated Press.

MGM Mirage, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd., Bally Technologies Inc. and other casino operators and gambling equipment companies are active members of the Association, which also contacted the federal government about bills that would create a not-for-profit corporation to promote travel to the U.S.

In the April-June period, the group lobbied Congress, the Interior Department, Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department and the White House.

D. Brett Hale, who used to work for Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Ky., was among those registered to lobby for the organisation, according to the amended report filed July 17 with the House clerk's office.

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