The American Gaming Association, an important US trade organization that counts with many respected land casino operators on its list of affiliate members, continues to follow the current hearings and possible legal modifications that could define the future of online gambling. According to the mandatory amended disclosures released this week, the AGA has invested $400.000 on lobbying in the second quarter of 2008.
 
The AGA has also invested in subjects regarding tax legislation that could directly affect the land based casino and gambling industries and their respective customers, including Hurricane Katrina tax bills and employee tip tax fulfillments.
 
Some of the major Las Vegas hotel and casino operators including MGM Mirage, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Wynn Resorts Ltd., Bally Technologies Inc. and other major operators and gambling software developing companies are active members of the Association, which also has initiated negotiations with the federal government authorities to discuss and analyze the chances of creating a non-profit corporation in charge of promoting tourism in the U.S.
 
The American Gaming Association lobbied Congress, the Interior Department, Internal Revenue Service, Treasury Department and the White House during the months of April, May and June.
 
According to the amended report filed on July 17^th in presence of the House clerk's office, D. Brett Hale, who prior to joining the AGA used to work for Rep. Ed Whitfield, R-Kentucky, was among the representatives registered to lobby for the organization.