The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has already caused ripples in the gaming industry as elsewhere, with several companies having already announced delays or postponement of events. The global pandemic has disrupted lives in almost every part of the globe, especially in China, where all public activities and workplaces have come to a halt. As China is one of the major suppliers of production materials and labor to this industry, the impact of the spread of the coronavirus has been strongly felt. With the USA also being affected by the pandemic, its crippling effect has reached far and wide.
In response to this crisis, the US Senate has recently passed the CARES Act to which the American Gaming Association President and CEO Bill Miller has responded:
CARES is the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which involves a $2 trillion stimulus package to provide financial aid to businesses, states, or individuals across the nation who have adversely been affected by the pandemic.
In this context, Bill Miller has remarked that the Senate bill would play a significant role in protecting and secure the ability of the gaming industry to continue its role in creating new jobs and as a community partner. Therefore he has urged for swift passage of the legislation in the House. He has said,
The Corona outbreak has not only led to delays, postponements, and cancellations of various events, but the closure of the commercial and tribal gaming facility has led to more than 6,50,000 direct gaming employees being idled.
If the industry remains under lockdown for a period of 2 months or more, it would have a devastating effect on the livelihoods of not only direct employees but also around 17000 gaming suppliers and 350,000 American small business workers. These jobs are directly dependent on the gaming industry and as the industry would shut down for two months, it would cost a loss of $43.5 billion approximately to the American economy. Such gigantic loss of economic activities calls for swift and strong measures and the CARES Act has therefore been much appreciated across all spheres.
