American Gaming Association Updates AML Best Practices Guide

Press Release

American Gaming Association Releases Updates to its Best Practices Guide for Anti-Money Laundering Compliance

September 29, 2025

Industry Resource for Strengthening Compliance

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The American Gaming Association (AGA) today released updates to its Best Practices for Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Compliance Guide, a blueprint for the gaming industry to strengthen compliance programs amid evolving laws, technologies, and emerging criminal activity.

“Maintaining up-to-date AML policies is essential to safeguarding the gaming industry’s operations, employees, and customers – and to protecting the integrity of the U.S. financial system,” said Alex Costello, Vice President of Government Relations at the American Gaming Association. “We encourage all casino operators and suppliers to use this resource to continually refine their practices as both the industry and threat environment change.”

Key Updates in the 2025 Guide

  • Enhanced guidance for Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) filings
  • New risk assessment section aligned with regulatory expectations
  • Expanded focus on online activity, digital wallets, and cryptocurrency
  • Broader coverage of fraud risk
  • New typologies and red flags to help staff identify and deter malicious activity
  • Dedicated section addressing human trafficking risks linked to money laundering

Context: Growth of the U.S. Gaming Market

Since the last update in 2022, the US now has over 1,000 land-based casinos, ten states have legalized sports betting, and one has legalized iGaming – expansion that has only strengthened the industry’s commitment to strong compliance.

The legal state-regulated US gaming industry is recognized as a leader in AML compliance – working closely with regulators, law enforcement, and compliance experts to continually raise the bar as new technologies, regulations, and risks develop.