Page 4 - MGHA - Annual Report, 2017

Welcome to the start of a new year! It’s hard to believe another year has already passed.Feels like I was just writing this letter to begin my tenure as the chair of the MGHA,and now it is the start of the second year.Hopefully,all reading this would agree that 2016 has been a great year.
2016 marks the third year of revenue growth along the Gulf Coast, which has led our overall state gaming revenues to increase each of the past three years.While the operators along the Mississippi River have not had the revenue growth that has been seen along the Gulf Coast, the operators continue to reinvest in their operations and in their communities, and continue to make a positive impact, accounting for thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue.
As we celebrate our achievements as an industry, we are all mindful that other states near and around Mississippi are planning to expand gaming and tourism.While we continue to monitor these developments, we cannot lose sight of the fact that Mississippi
will always be a unique and attractive destination option so long as we continue to reinvest and refine our offerings.Being proactive and not reactive is our challenge, and I know we are up for it.
Some of our key moments from 2016 included:
• Larry Gregory, our executive director, was appointed to the board for the American Gaming Association in January. • In August, Mississippi began its 25th year of gaming.
•AGA President and CEO Geoff Freeman held a Get to Know Gaming press conference in Biloxi,where he highlighted
Mississippi’s achievements in gaming and tourism.
• Allen Godfrey, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, was honored as Regulator of the Year for North
America in September.
• Gulf Coast gaming revenues reached nearly $1.2 billion for the first time since 2008.
• 2016 marked the third year in a row statewide gross revenues increased compared to prior years.
In 2017, we will highlight what gaming has brought to Mississippi over the past 25 years. To name just a few: the gaming industry has generated an estimated $24 billion in tax revenue, with $6.5 in state gaming tax revenue, enough to fund the state’s entire budge for one year; it has created thousands of direct and indirect jobs that are high-quality and well-paying careers for Mississippi’s residents; and, perhaps most notably, the industry has had a positive impact on communities, with an estimated $850 million going to local government general funds, over $637 million going to education and more than $637 million going to public safety; the industry has donated millions of dollars to many charities in our communities and employees have donated countless hours of their time.
It is my honor to serve in this leadership role,but it is through a collective vision and working collaboratively that our vision is becoming a reality and our voice is heard. I want to extend a sincere thank you to all of our casino and associate members for their time and commitment to making our industry and our association one that is well respected and that serves as a model for other states to follow.
Please enjoy this eighth State of the Industry Annual Report.
Lee Dillard
MGHA Chair
WELCOME