The American Gaming Association joined Congressman Lacy Clay (D, MO-1) outside St. Louis last week in the second stop on our nationwide American Gaming Small Business Jobs Tour. These activities are critical to our efforts to develop new Congressional champions and create greater understanding about the gaming industry and those that we benefit.
Last week’s event follows April’s launch of the tour in Laurel, MD and the release of new research proving that the gaming industry supports 350,000 small business jobs and is responsible for $52 billion in small business revenues.
Our Missouri tour stop took place at Regents Maintenance Supply, a janitorial supplier and equipment provider for regional casinos. Regents is owned by Lamonte Sowell, who started the company in his basement 18 years ago and has since had the opportunity to grow to a larger warehouse, thanks in large part to working with the casino industry. Regents is one of many companies nationwide that benefits from partnering with local casinos.
Local media joined for a walk through of the business and remarks from:
- Hollywood Casino Vice President and General Manager Todd George;
- Congressman Lacy Clay (D, MO-1);
- Regents Maintenance Supply Owner Lamonte Sowell;
- AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman; and
- River City Casino Vice President and General Manager Chris Plant.
Lamonte Sowell said that the partnership with casinos in Missouri has helped him to “grow our business.” Rep. Clay highlighted small business jobs in Missouri’s first district and talked about the importance of working with casino gaming to expand local small businesses.
Chris Plant noted that River City Casino has been working with Regents for over six years and that the small business helps to “deliver a luxurious experience to our guests.” Todd George noted that Hollywood Casino was “proud” to work with a local business like Regents.
The Missouri Times reported that AGA touted gaming’s benefits to small businesses in the “Show-Me State.” Fox 2 St. Louis highlighted that the tour was part of the Get to Know Gaming campaign, the multiyear, integrated public affairs campaign rooted in authoritative research which touts the value of gaming nationwide. CDC Gaming Reports and Pechanga.net also covered the tour stop
Highlighting our industry’s incredible local contributions are critical to our future success and we look forward to continuing this tour throughout the year.
