The Small Business Administration (SBA) released revised regulatory guidelines today that permit size-eligible small gaming entities to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program. American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller released the following statement on the updated regulations:
“In the nearly one month since the CARES Act was enacted to provide economic relief to blunt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Gaming Association and our allies have fought tirelessly to correct the Small Business Administration’s antiquated policy that precluded gaming companies from qualifying for loans through the Paycheck Protection Program. We are pleased that the new regulatory guidelines released today make small gaming companies eligible for this critical program just as Congress has replenished its funding.
“I’m grateful to President Trump and his administration for recognizing that commercial and tribal gaming industry employees deserve the same support available to other small businesses, and for the significant, sustained efforts of members of Congress to amplify the need for changes to the guidelines to get small gaming operators and their employees through this challenging time.”
STATEMENT FROM REP. DINA TITUS
Today Representative Dina Titus of Nevada’s First Congressional District – who Co-Chairs the Congressional Gaming Caucus - released the following statement after the Trump Administration reversed its decision and will now allow small gaming establishments to access loans and grants under the Paycheck Protection Program:
“I promised Nevadans that we would get this fixed and today we made good on that promise,” said Congresswoman Titus (NV-1). “The Trump Administration’s attempt to prevent small gaming businesses from accessing grants and loans was foolish from the start. The people who work at these small businesses can finally get some relief.”
Congresswoman Titus first wrote to the Small Business Administration on March 27, 2020 that, “Like any other small business, small gaming and betting establishments are in desperate need of assistance in order to rebound from this crisis.” In the weeks since, she continued to pressure the Trump Administration to reverse its decision, including by introducing the Equal Access to COVID-19 Relief Act.
STATEMENT CONGRESSMAN STEVEN HORSFORD
Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) announced that Nevada’s small businesses that earn revenue from gaming will now be eligible for loans from the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program.
“Today, we’ve received the welcome news that small businesses that earn revenue from gaming will now be able to access the assistance and funds they need from the coronavirus response legislation that I have worked to pass in Congress. The gaming industry is foundational to Nevada’s economy. Therefore, it was of the utmost importance that I fought for these small businesses to access PPP funds,” Congressman Horsford said. “The gaming industry is vital to our state’s local small businesses; it supports more than 350,000 small business jobs and delivers $52 billion annually in small business revenue, including construction, manufacturing, retail, and wholesale firms. It was discriminatory and unfair for these small businesses to have been left out in the first place, and I am proud that my advocacy led to this necessary change for the people of Nevada.”
