Published on: September 20, 2024, 10:15h. 

Last updated on: September 20, 2024, 11:01h.

Experts suggest that casino employees and gambling industry executives are more focused on upcoming state races than federal elections.

Decisions affecting US commercial casinos are primarily made at the state level, not federal, according to professors knowledgeable in politics and the casino industry.

“Overall, state elections hold more importance for the casino industry than federal elections since most crucial policy issues impacting the industry are determined at the state level,” noted Rice University political scientist Mark P. Jones.

Key Issues in Presidential Race

In the current presidential race between Vice President Kamala Harris (D) and former President Donald Trump (R), the voting decisions of most casino workers are influenced more by personal economic situations and general political beliefs rather than industry-specific factors, experts suggest.

Both Harris and Trump have expressed interest in eliminating taxes on worker tips, but the feasibility of such proposals passing through Congress is questioned by many in the industry.

States have taken steps to protect tipped workers by banning sub-minimum wages, and calls for similar actions on a national level have been made by industry advocates.