The industry trade group representing the video game trade spent more than $1 million in lobbying in the first quarter of this year.
But that’s less than some might have expected, as it is in fact not even as much as the group spent in Q1 of 2010.
The Entertainment Software Association, or ESA, provides services to game companies that pay to be a member of the organization. It is also the parent group of the game ratings board, the ESRB.
And the most famous thing the ESA does is to manage and organize the annual Electronic Entertainment Expo, which draws in tens of thousands of people to Los Angeles and millions to the Internet to follow the huge event.
Where the ESA has less of a red carpet is in Washington, DC. The organization lobbies for fair treatment and representation of the gaming industry in Congress. And apparently the cost of doing that is staying fairly stable.
Despite the fact that ESA has a bit more on its table this year in attacking the California violent video game law, it managed to keep its lobbying budget in tact.
According to disclosures obtained by Bloomberg, the ESA spent $1.1 million in lobbying in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2010.
In the most recent quarter, Q4 of 2010, it also reported spending $1.1 million in lobbying.
