Gaming and Leisure Properties Inc. (GLPI), a leading real estate investment trust focused on gaming assets, has become the latest high-profile entity to align with the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG). The Pennsylvania-based company joins a coalition of industry stakeholders who are raising alarms about the rapid spread of online gambling and its potential consequences for traditional casinos, employment, and local economies.
Although GLPI does not operate casinos directly, the company owns 68 gaming-related properties in 20 states and earns its income through long-term lease agreements with operators of brick-and-mortar casinos. According to GLPI, its financial success is inherently tied to the health of the land-based gaming sector and the communities in which these properties are located.
By joining NAAiG, GLPI is signaling its belief that the unchecked expansion of iGaming could have lasting repercussions for physical casino operations and the economic ecosystems surrounding them.
Industry Leaders Warn of iGaming’s Economic Threats
“GLPI’s decision to join NAAiG underscores the growing consensus across the industry that iGaming’s risks are real and far-reaching,” said Mark Stewart, NAAiG board member and Executive Vice President & General Counsel of The Cordish Companies. “When the future of in-person gaming is threatened, we don’t just lose entertainment venues—we lose jobs, tax revenue, local investment and critical economic anchors. GLPI’s leadership sends a powerful message about what’s at stake.”
NAAiG, formed to oppose the spread of digital gambling platforms, includes a diverse network of stakeholders such as business leaders, unions, municipal officials, and gaming operators. The coalition argues that online gambling platforms pose a direct threat to in-person entertainment by weakening tax contributions, undermining employment, and disincentivizing investment in destination-style gaming resorts.
Community Impact at the Heart of the Debate
Shannon McCracken, NAAiG board member and Senior Director of Government Relations at Churchill Downs Incorporated, echoed those sentiments, warning that digital gambling jeopardizes a crucial segment of the industry. “iGaming threatens the entire value chain of in-person entertainment—undermining jobs, weakening local revenues and diminishing the long-term appeal of destination gaming,” she said. “We’re encouraged to see more industry stakeholders stepping up to protect the future of physical gaming infrastructure and advocate for responsible, community-first policies.”
GLPI’s membership adds weight to an expanding alliance that also includes Maryland-based labor groups such as UFCW Local 27 and SEATU, along with local governments like the city of Black Hawk, Colorado. These stakeholders have expressed concerns that the proliferation of iGaming could erode economic gains traditionally provided by land-based casinos, particularly in communities where those venues play a central role.
As state legislatures continue to explore or expand online gaming options, groups like NAAiG and its newest member, GLPI, are making their case for a more cautious approach—one that prioritizes community well-being and the long-term sustainability of land-based gaming operations.
Source:
“Gaming and Leisure Properties joins fight against iGaming expansion”, cpbj.com, Jun 20, 2025
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