Following the publication of a recent report by the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Inspector General, which recommends banning the use of government credit cards at casinos, the American Gaming Association is firing back with a counter-argument of its own.
The AGA is urging the DoD not to single out the gaming industry and ignore the diverse offerings provided by casinos.
AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman addressed the matter in a letter addressed to DoD Inspector General Jon T. Rymer and Defense Travel Management Office Director Harvey Johnson.
According to Freeman, while government employees should use credit cards responsibly, the recommendation to ban such cards at casinos is troubling.
“A policy that prohibits the use of government credit cards at casinos would reflect a gross misunderstanding of casinos, which consist of much more than the gaming floor itself, and would ignore the many legitimate business-related expenses incurred at gaming facilities,” Freeman argues. “For example, would employees not be permitted to stay in a hotel room that is part of a casino? Would such a policy prohibit the purchase of staple items in retail locations, or restrict patronizing restaurants, within a casino?”
“Given the offering of lodging and convention amenities, as well as diverse retail and dining establishments often housed within a casino facility, a blanket ban on the use of government credit cards at casinos would have significant negative unintended consequences. We urge you to consider these negative repercussions and not single out an industry that represents a key part of the U.S. economy,” Freeman’s letter concluded.
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