Online Casinos Directory

The world of gambling has become big business with a wide range of industries. Not only is it bringing in billions of gaming dollars, but it also is opening the door for sponsors to get their own brands out to a mass number of people in the market. If you look at things like the WSOP then you are going to see how many corporate sponsors are in on the game and advertising at the Poker tournament. They know already that the tournament brings in the numbers and they know that a small advertising spot puts their brand in front of millions worldwide. A testament to what is going on in the market is the AGA, or American Gaming Association’s, recent decision to spend $360,000 lobbying mandatory filings regarding online gambling.

The US has long been dragging its feet on the issue and for a long time relied on the UIGEA, or Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, to square away its online gambling issues. In essence the UIGEA banned all internet gambling transactions from being processed via financial institutions. Any financial institution found to be breaking the law, faced hefty fines and fees. For this reason many banking institutions opted to completely deny any activity that had the least to do with gambling—even lotteries and sports betting activities that by all counts should have been deemed legal. This caused millions of online gamblers to move to offshore gambling companies for their gambling needs and it also managed to channel billions of dollars out of the country and into offshore gambling websites.

Now the AGA is spending more money for lobbying. The organization for the most part is remaining neutral on the issue in the US. It knows full well the progression and hang ups of the issue within the states. Right now the AGA has members including MGM Mirage, Boyd Gaming Corp, Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc., Las Vegas Sands Corp., and Bally Technologies. The company is remaining neutral but would like to get its own operations solidified as the US begins its first moves into making gambling legal and writing laws to regulate it.

Things are changing quickly in the world of online gaming. A few decades ago, it first began with simplistic games and few capabilities. Then, technology took a huge jump. Once that happened, more and more companies started focusing on gaming and what to do with it. The UIGEA stepped in in 2006 and stopped online gaming in its tracks. Though it was written to give financial institutions the responsibility of policing gambling transactions, what it ended up doing was pushing gamblers to move to offshore companies.

Throughout the whole debate the American Gaming Association, or AGA, voiced its own opinion on the world of online gaming. It began in 1995 and opened as an entity that was set on bringing an understanding of gaming to the general public and politicians. It initially was not supporting of online gambling, but since they have changed their positions. Now, the AGA is changing its tune a bit when it comes to online gambling. The association is now open to legalizing internet gambling within the US. The interesting thing is that the AGA in former years was a strong opponent to the move and voiced its opinion loudly to various politicians and governments for support. Remember that the sides are drawn sharply against each other in the world of gambling—on one side is the group that sees the money potential and on the other side are those who see the ethical side. Each side has taken up a strong stance for or against the issue and its development in the world. Almost every jurisdiction is in the midst of some type of debate over the issue.

The AGA’s move to supporting the hobby is telling of where the market may go. The organization is a big one and with their support, it may be enough to push the issue over the hump and into legalization sooner. Now that the AGA is petitioning to politicians, it may be able to sway more and more to the side of legalizing and regulating online gambling. Although the issue will still take time, but this is a huge win for the pro-internet gambling side of the issue.

“I’ll tell you what my dad always said when they honored him,” Michael Gaughan said. “Nice to see you all here and thanks for coming.” Gaughan is a long time casino owner and was just inducted into the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame. He is being heralded for “over four decades of leadership in the gaming industry.”  Gaughan joins his father, founder of El Cortez Jackie Gaughan, on the Hall of Fame wall.  The two make up the third father/son team to be inducted and are third to Sam and Bill Boyd and Benny and Jack Binion.

Gaughan’s speech was only about 2 minutes, but he thoughtfully directed his thanks to his family, friends and business associates “without whom I would not be here,” he said.  He helped his father run the El Cortez from 1965-1972, before leaving to open the Royal Inn Casino, which is now the Greek Isles on Convention Center Drive. He later built and opened the Barbary Coast, Gold Coast, Orleans and Suncoast. He was an executive with Boyd Gaming Corp. after Boyd acquired his company, but he resigned and bought the South Coast, which he had built, from Boyd in 2006. He renamed the property South Point.

Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and chief executive officer of the American Gaming Association, said Gaughan is one of the most beloved employers in the industry. “Michael’s casinos have helped shape the city, making it what it is today,” Fahrenkopf said. “He created friendly, nurturing working environments. As a result, his casinos have boasted more long-term employees than many in our transient industry,” Fahrenkopf added. A major portion of Gaughan’s success has been focusing on his employee’s happiness and satisfaction with the company. He created outstanding benefit plans and payment scales for all workers and developed a sense of camaraderie within the business structure that is notable.

Gaughan joins some impressive names in the world of gaming as the newest entrant to the American Gaming Association’s Hall of Fame.  His reputation and history of casino development is top-notch and shows his dedication over the years to outstanding gaming. With his father starting the legacy, Michael Gaughan is moving it into the 21^st century with ease, dignity and poise.