America’s communities face a number of challenges that require long-term solutions and the participation of various stakeholders to implement them. Improving educational outcomes, increasing community health and wellness, and solving environmental concerns, among other issues, need multisector solutions and lasting commitments. The private sector has long been an important part of those multisector solutions, especially through their corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts.
In addition to improving their communities, there are clear rewards for companies that engage in efforts to solve those challenges. From increased employee engagement to improved business outcomes and brand value, there is a direct business and profitability-led reason for companies to be active stakeholders in their communities.
While the growth of CSR reports has resulted in numerous companies reporting on their citizenship efforts, there has not been an effort to bring together the CSR initiatives of an entire industry, particularly up and down the value chain or across industry peers.
An industry-wide review brings some significant benefits. Most importantly is identifying the scope of positive impacts on communities. Instead of just one company’s contributions in initiatives like scholarship programs, sustainability efforts, diversity and inclusion benefits, community health initiatives, or disaster response, combining them can bring a more complete picture on the role of the industry in helping communities and the nation.
With these benefits in mind, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF), in conjunction with the American Gaming Association (AGA), created this industrywide CSR report to show the collective work and effect of the gaming industry’s commercial operators, tribal operators, and suppliers.
Through quantitative and qualitative research, USCCF explores AGA member companies’ CSR programs, how they are executed, and the rationale that drives the companies to run specific programs. By engaging with a variety of company types and sizes, this research reveals an industry that is leading in many aspects of CSR programming and engagement.
