AGA Updates Industry Guide to Strengthen Anti-Money Laundering Efforts
Summary
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released an updated version of its Best Practices for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Guide to help casinos and suppliers keep pace with evolving rules, technology and criminal tactics.
The revision sharpens guidance on Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs), adds a risk-assessment section aligned with regulator expectations, and addresses digital payments — including digital wallets, online transactions and cryptocurrency. It also expands fraud guidance with new red flags and, for the first time, includes a section linking human trafficking and money laundering.
Key Points
- AGA published an updated AML compliance guide to reflect changing risks and technologies.
- Clearer instructions for KYC procedures and filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) are included.
- A new risk assessment section aligns industry practice with current regulatory expectations.
- The guide covers digital wallets, online transactions and cryptocurrency as increasingly relevant payment methods.
- Additional fraud red flags are listed and a new section examines the connection between human trafficking and money laundering.
Context and Relevance
The US gambling market has expanded rapidly — more than 1,000 brick-and-mortar casinos, wider sports-betting availability and growing online activity — which increases exposure to financial crime. Regulators have been enforcing tougher penalties, so operators, compliance officers and suppliers need practical, up-to-date guidance. The AGA positions the industry as proactive in working with law enforcement and regulators; this update is intended to help firms spot weaknesses, improve monitoring and reduce AML risk as enforcement scrutiny intensifies.
Why should I read this?
Because if you run, manage or supply to casinos (or you’re responsible for compliance), this is the quick lowdown on what’s changed — and what you’ll likely be asked about by regulators. The guide gives concrete pointers on KYC, SARs, digital payments and new red flags so you don’t get caught out. Read it to stay one step ahead of auditors and the bad actors using newer tech.
