AGA Says New Las Vegas Security Ranking is a ‘Positive Step’

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AGA Says New Las Vegas Security Ranking is a 'Positive Step'Following months of working with the Nevada congressional delegation, the City of Las Vegas and State officials to educate the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the unique security risks Las Vegas faces, the American Gaming Association (AGA) has something to be happy about.

The AGA said in a written statement recently that they applaud the new ranking as a step in the right direction that will make Las Vegas eligible to receive $3 million in security funding per year through DHS’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), an increase from $1 million last year.

“Today’s announcement marks a step in the right direction in protecting ‘America’s entertainment capital,’ and we’re grateful for the efforts of Nevada’s congressional delegation to educate DHS about the unique risks Las Vegas faces,” said Sara Rayme, senior vice president of public affairs for the AGA.  “However, we will continue to pursue a higher ranking that befits Las Vegas, the heart of America’s $240 billion gaming industry and a top travel destination that attracts more than 40 million people each year.”

Last month, AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman sent a letter to Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller and Reps. Dina Titus, Mark Amodei, Cresent Hardy and Joe Heck emphasizing the importance of educating DHS about why Las Vegas requires further security funding through the program.

“Las Vegas proudly hosts more than 22,000 conventions each year, which together welcome more than 5.1 million visitors alone, according to the Las Vegas Visitor and Convention Authority (LVCVA),” Freeman argued. “A terrorist incident would instantly harm the $53 billion in economic impact, 425,000 jobs, $19 billion in wages and $7 billion in tax revenue that gaming drives in Nevada, as well as the $240 billion in economic activity and 1.7 million U.S. jobs that gaming supports nationally.”

According to AGA’s statement, Freeman “urged the delegation to continue its diligence and leadership to ensure DHS understand the importance of necessary funding for Las Vegas.”

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