Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

GUEST COLUMN:

Nevada has shown a comeback that’s stronger than ever

Congressional, Tribal Leaders and Nevada experts discuss Yucca Mountain

Miranda Alam / Special to the Sun

U.S. Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., talks about the proposed nuclear storage waste facility at Yucca Mountain during a panel hosted by the Nevada Conservation League at the East Las Vegas Community Center in Las Vegas on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2019.

The Silver State took a big hit when the pandemic kept residents and tourists at home. Now, with reopening underway, many are once again returning for business and entertainment — and Nevada has begun its recovery.

This positive recovery is driven in part by commercial gaming at the state’s 219 casinos.

Gaming is more than entertainment. In Nevada, gaming’s economic impact totals $55.96 billion and the industry supports more than 410,000 jobs statewide. Through July, gaming revenue in Nevada reached $7.4 billion, generating $555.7 million in state gaming taxes. The vast majority of tax revenue from gaming is directed to Nevada’s general fund, then redistributed at the direction of the Legislature for statewide education programs, transportation services and general budgetary needs.

When consumers participate in safe, responsible practices, gaming better serves our communities and powers our economy. The American Gaming Association’s Responsible Gaming Education Week, which ends today, serves as an important reminder of the role gaming plays in our communities and how to enjoy gaming safely and responsibly.

The industry invests millions of dollars in responsible gaming education and research, dedicates employee time to training, and works with gaming regulators to protect consumers and promote responsible gaming every day. To make sure you wager responsibly, follow these simple rules: 

• Set a budget and stick to it.

• Keep betting fun by playing with friends and family.

• Know the odds by learning about the game you’re playing.

• Play with legal, trusted operators.

Over the past decade, there has been a proliferation of gaming throughout the country, with 48 states allowing some form of it. I am proud that Nevada is an example of best practices as others look to expand in this burgeoning market. We are fortunate that both the public and private sectors continue to work together to provide people with the best product while ensuring all the proper laws and regulations are followed so gaming is undertaken in a responsible and safe manner by all participants.

Economic recovery in Nevada is continuing, and growth in industries like gaming and its ancillary businesses helps keep us on the path to success. As visitors are returning to Nevada’s casinos in person, it’s more important than ever to emphasize responsible gaming and share resources that ensure gaming remains a fun activity for consumers to enjoy with friends, family, and colleagues. Thanks to the American Gaming Association, we can do just that.

Rep. Dina Titus represents Nevada’s 1st Congressional District in the House of Representatives. She previously served in the state Senate and was a professor at UNLV. She lives in Las Vegas.