AGA wraps up successful year, looks forward to 2026

• Ahead of 2026, the American Gaming Association acknowledged challenges and developments affecting the gaming industry in 2025
• Notably, the Association played a key role in the fight against illegal gambling, safeguarding the consumers
• Looking ahead to 2026, the gaming industry organization will continue to support the sustainable development of the legal gambling market

With the end of 2025 in sight, the American Gaming Association (AGA) reflected on the accomplishments completed throughout the year and confirmed its plans for next year.

Key changes affected the legal gambling sector in 2025

In a letter sent to gaming industry stakeholders and obtained by Casino Guru News, the Association's President and CEO, William C. Miller Jr., acknowledged the challenges and progress of the gaming industry in 2025.

Focusing on the importance of protecting the legal gambling vertical, the Association acknowledged the ongoing fight against illegal and unregulated gambling.

Throughout the year, the AGA collaborated with law enforcement, as well as state and tribal regulators and other industry bodies, to protect the legal gaming industry across the United States.

Some of the highlights of 2025 include cease-and-desist orders, along with state-level bans for sweepstakes casinos, Miller explained.

At the same time, the AGA was at the forefront of the fight against offshore and illegal operators.

In 2025, 50 attorneys signed a letter, urging the Department of Justice to take action against offshore gambling operators.

"We also took decisive action against prediction markets attempting to bypass established gaming law and state and tribal authority, reinforcing the importance of a clear, accountable regulatory framework," the letter signed by the Association's CEO and President reveals.

Only recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) confirmed the increase in the reporting threshold for slot machines.

The historic move increases the slot reporting threshold from $1,200 to $2,000, effective from January 1, 2026.

AGA welcomed the modernization of the policy, acknowledging that the update of the federal slot tax reporting threshold was long overdue.

Throughout the year, the Association remained dedicated to responsible gambling, launching campaigns such as Play Smart from the Start and expanding its year-round initiatives.

AGA will stick to several priorities throughout 2026

Ahead of 2026, the Association highlighted three core priorities.

Notably, the AGA plans to strengthen the legal market.

"Recent high-profile betting scandals have reinforced that the regulated market works. Collaboration between licensed operators, leagues, state regulators, and law enforcement continues to detect suspicious activity and drive swift enforcement action," it said.

What's more, the Association reaffirmed its dedication to continuing the fight against illegal gambling and ensuring the protection of consumers.

In 2026, the AGA will maintain its support for the sustainable growth of the legal gambling industry.

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