US industry pushes for online gaming

The industry in the US is pushing for online gaming options as iDEA calls for state governments to lift their ban on the segment.

US.- The iDevelopment & Economic Association (iDEA) is pushing for the US to free online gaming operations to help casinos cut their losses while they’re closed. The group is asking state government’s (where appropriate) to lift their bans on the vertical, at least temporarily.

“Is it going to be a panacea? No. But in the face of closures like this, it underscores the need for the industry to also have an e-commerce platform,” iDEA’s John Pappas said, as The Wall Street Journal quoted.

According to the group, many states in the US may benefit from online gaming. As the land-based segment will turn less tax-money, internet betting could be a solution.

AGA’s forecast

The American Gaming Association (AGA) expects the US gambling industry to lose US$21.3 billion due to the Coronavirus crisis.

The organisation said the next eight weeks will be critical for the sector. Hundreds of casinos across the country closed their doors as part of efforts to halt the spread of the deadly virus.

Nearly every casino in the US, both private and tribal, has pulled down the shutters this week.

This, according to the AGA, could cost 530,000 jobs with the likes of Caesars already making redundancies.