The American Gaming Association has given its stamp of approval to the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2024, a program designed to accredit employers whose employees participate in the program.
Let’s take a closer look at the details behind the program and how it might imapct top-rated sportsbooks.
Stamp Out Trafficking
Congressmen David Valadao of California and Troy Carter of Louisiana have co-sponsored a bill that would recognize employers that train their employees to identify signs of human trafficking and report those observations. The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2024 is directly linked to an anti-trafficking training program, the Blue Campaign, run by the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Countering Human Trafficking.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s website:
“Blue Campaign is a national public awareness campaign designed to educate the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking, and how to appropriately respond to possible cases. Blue Campaign works closely with DHS Components to develop general awareness training, as well as specific educational resources to help reduce victimization within vulnerable populations.
Located within the Office of Partnership and Engagement and aligned with the DHS Center for Countering Human Trafficking, Blue Campaign leverages partnerships with the private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), law enforcement, and state/local authorities to maximize national public engagement on anti-human trafficking efforts. Blue Campaign’s educational awareness objectives consist of two foundational elements, prevention of human trafficking and protection of exploited persons.”
Although the Blue Campaign is up and running, this most recent program would render certification and accreditation to those companies that join the fight against human trafficking. The Blue Campaign is an educational tool but has had no formal recognition of participation until now. Congressmen Valadao and Carter believe accrediting companies will generate greater participation in the anti-human trafficking programs available.
AGA Supports Bill
Although governmental agencies are tasked with protecting those who are exploited by human traffickers and prosecuting those who engage in the crime, private citizens can assist in identifying possible trafficking rings, and with proper education, those skills can be honed.
Workers in the hospitality industry interact with thousands of people on an annual basis and can be valuable resources in reporting possible instances of human trafficking. The American Gaming Association supports DHS’s efforts to battle trafficking and the most recent effort to get companies involved by accrediting those who participate.
“The legislation proposed today by Reps. Valadao and Carter validates and strengthens the role of employee training in combating human trafficking,” said AGA vice president of government relations Alex Costello. “The AGA encourages businesses across the gaming industry to take advantage of AGA’s free training as part of their dedication to responsibility and protecting their communities.”
This is not the AGA’s first salvo in the war on human trafficking, as the organization has been offering virtual training on anti-trafficking education to gaming industry employees since January of this year. The focus of the training is educating employees on what to look for in identifying signs of exploited individuals or those who may be exploiting innocent victims.
