A new coalition of gaming and entertainment business leaders have formed the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG) in response to what the association describes as “escalating concerns over the significant health and economic risks of iGaming.”
The NAAiG’s leadership includes executives from The Cordish Companies, Monarch Casino & Resort and Churchill Downs Incorporated. The organization said it formed in opposition to the expansion of online gaming “and its well-reported economic and social dangers.”
In particular, the NAAiG asserts that legalizing online casino cannibalizes land-based casino revenues and leads to job losses, hundreds of millions of dollars in lost economic output and lower tax contributions. The group also cites player protection concerns such as higher addiction rates.
It has published a study conducted by The Innovation Group that it says “debunks the myth that iGaming offers easy revenue for states” and instead “uncovers the damaging effects of iGaming expansion.” The study is a continuation of research commissioned by Maryland regulators to determine the economic impact of online casino expansion.
“Beyond the lack of any real upside for states, iGaming puts vulnerable individuals at greater risk of problem gambling and financial instability,” said NAAiG board member Jason Gumer, EVP and general counsel at Monarch. “NAAiG is uniting stakeholders to push back and stop the spread of these harmful trends and advocate for responsible gaming policies.”
Members have testified in iGaming legislative hearings
“iGaming’s unchecked access to gambling on cell phones is bad public policy that threatens local jobs and businesses and will cost states,” added Mark Stewart, EVP and general counsel of The Cordish Companies and NAAiG board member. “When increased social costs caused by iGaming higher rates of underage and problem gambling are considered, the net tax revenue results are uniformly negative for every state.”
Cordish is one NAAiG member group that has been “consistent” in opposing iGaming in several states, Stewart said during his testimony this week in a Maryland committee.
Stewart has acknowledged that despite opposing online expansion, the Live! Casino parent company would seek licensure if iGaming was approved.
“We will do very well but we think Maryland won’t do very well and we know our employees won’t do very well, and that’s why we’re opposed to it,” he said on Monday.
NAAiG lays out advocacy priorities
The NAAiG urges local businesses, employee unions and community groups to mobilize against online gambling and instead promote “community-focused, sustainable gaming.”
“iGaming is eroding our communities,” said Churchill Downs Senior Director of Government Relations and NAAiG board member Shannon McCracken.
“This isn’t just about responsible gaming — it’s about protecting local family-sustaining jobs and preventing financial harm … We must act now to protect our state and local economies nationwide.”
iDEA Growth responds
The iDevelopment and Economic Association (iDEA Growth), whose membership includes companies who have stakes in both retail and online wagering such as Rush Street Interactive, BetMGM, Boyd Interactive and Bally’s, provided a statement provided to SBC Americas.
The association noted that, “in contrast to this small group of opponents, many leading U.S. casino operators recognize iGaming as a valuable complement to their brick-and-mortar businesses.”
“Opposition to iGaming is both misguided and misinformed, ignoring the realities of consumer demand and the benefits of a well-regulated online marketplace for the overall gaming ecosystem,” added the statement. “Forming a group to oppose regulated online gaming does not change the fact that millions of Americans are already gambling online through illegal, unregulated operators that offer no consumer protections, responsible gaming safeguards, or tax contributions to the states.
“The real risk to consumers and state economies is not the expansion of legal iGaming — it’s the unchecked growth of the illegal and unregulated online gaming market, which thrives in the absence of legal alternatives.”
