The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released a new in-depth resource aimed at helping to fight human trafficking. A major step from the AGA comes with its newly founded anti-human trafficking task force which aims to boost gaming industry efforts.
The guide builds on efforts by hospitality and nonprofit partners and the US Departments of Homeland Security, Justice and Treasury to guide the industry on applying anti-human trafficking practices. These practices will be multi-layered in how they tackle trafficking.
The AGA sets out five main points in its plan. It will educate individuals on what constitutes human trafficking, the risks it poses to the gaming industry and how to intervene. It will empower gaming employees to act when they notice human trafficking.
Furthermore, its measures aim to prevent human trafficking from occurring at – or being facilitated through gaming operations. They will focus on the specific needs of gaming executives as they institute anti-trafficking policies. Finally, the AGA will protect the employees of gaming companies from human trafficking.
The resource specifically addresses areas such as sex trafficking and forced labor, trafficking myths and realities, state and federal anti-trafficking laws and enforcement. On the financial side of things, the AGA sets out anti-money laundering measures and best practices for preventing and responding to trafficking at commercial and tribal gaming operations.
The AGA members are actively implementing the protocols laid out in this resource today. They display property signage, train employees, partner with shelters and nonprofits and work with law enforcement.
The AGA VP of government relations Alex Costello says this resource will upgrade current anti-human trafficking practices used by gaming companies. He says: “This guide will serve as an essential tool for the industry to assess and strengthen its current protocols.
“Today’s announcement marks the first step in the task force’s ongoing work to enhance the gaming industry’s anti-trafficking efforts.”
