“Hopefully in some of these big states, we can see (expansion) happening in the next year or two. We can see CEOs and CFOs of brick-and-mortar companies emphasizing the importance of mobile products and what it can do for them in the future.”
—Kresimir Spajic, senior vice president for online gaming and sports betting, Hard Rock International, who believes the current revenue crunch will propel more states to legalize iGaming and mobile sportsbooks
“I think it will be a busy back half of the year and busy 2021 for state legislators, as states that need tax revenue to fund public policy initiatives consider how sports betting and online gaming might help. I think that maybe the biggest impact on sports betting in the macro-environment. I think 2018 was a tipping point, and we’re at another one. I’m excited about the future.”
—Seth Young, chief innovation officer with online bookmaker PointsBet, who says the argument for mobile betting is stronger due to the closure of casinos
“With sports betting still on the docket in 16 states, the AGA expects policymakers to take a serious look at expanding sports betting to fill budget gaps caused by Covid-19.”
—Bill Miller, American Gaming Association, on the potential growth of sports betting in the aftermath of Covid-19
“In our view, a large-scale integrated resort developer, who has long publicly supported and targeted the Japan IR initiative, simply walking away, will likely call into question the ultimate return potential of the market. When factoring in development costs, regulations, concession duration, and both gaming and corporate taxes, it appears some are taking the approach that the risk may in fact outweigh the potential reward.”
—Carlo Santarelli, Deutsche Bank gaming analyst, on Las Vegas Sands’ decision to end its Japan quest
“I have faith that the Oneida Indian Nation has the safety and health of their employees and patrons as their top priority.”
— John Becker, chairman, Madison County Board of Supervisors, on the New York tribe’s decision to reopen its three New York casinos next month
“I think people are eager to get out, and I think it’s good for us to get out. A lot of us need to be, whether people believe it or not, sociable.”
—Charlotte Prince, Oklahoma gambler, on the reopening of state casinos
“With physical distancing guidelines still in practice, this holiday weekend’s travel volume is likely to set a record low.”
—Sergio Avila, AAA Nevada spokesman, who predicted more Nevadans would stick close to home for Memorial Day
“We hear anecdotally that people are really frustrated and want to go back to gambling in casinos.”
—Rob Goldstein, CEO, Las Vegas Sands, on near-vacant casino floors in Macau
“I want to aim for a society that lives with this virus while maintaining economic activity. However, we need to continue to remain vigilant.”
—Hirofumi Yoshimura, governor of Osaka Prefecture in Japan, on the lifting of Covid-19 closures there
“It’s been really challenging because we’re known for being friendly and socializing. But we knew that to open our doors we had to establish strict new protocols and provide that safe environment with social distancing for our customers and employees.”
—Laura Stensgar, CEO, Coeur d’Alene Casino, the first casino resort in Idaho to reopen, on social distancing measures and safety precautions including temperature checks
“Wind Creek isn’t on the front lines of the pandemic crisis, but we want to support those who are.”
—Magi Williams, director of public relations, Wind Creek Hospitality, on the tribal gaming company’s donation of 250,000 meals via the Alabama Food Bank Association
“Right now, the majority of the people that go to the casino are elderly people and people who aren’t even in the best of health, even younger people. It is all a gamble. They’re gambling with their guests’ lives, with their employees’ lives.”
—Tony Wolf, security guard, Viejas Casino & Resort in San Diego, who quit his job rather than risk the coronavirus as the casino prepared to reopen
“We are feeling the same that most of society is, this has been very much a crippling situation. We have absolutely no revenue coming in. But, our decision to open up is based first and foremost on the safety and health of our patrons and employees.”
—Ray Peters, COO, Little Creek Casino Resort in Washington State, on the Squaxin Island Tribe’s decision to reopen, despite Governor Jay Inslee’s admonitions to remain closed
“The data show a significant number of people entering the marketplace for the first time and it’s not just people crossing over from sports who didn’t have an online account in internet gaming. It’s also new clients.”
—David Rebuck, director, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, on bettors gravitating to online gaming
“Here in South Jersey our chances of recovery are so very slim because of the nature of the industry. Even if casinos open it’s hard to imagine crowded casino floors and people going to concerts. It’s going to be like that six months to a year.”
—Brigid Callahan Harrison, South Jersey congressional candidate, proposing a recovery plan that will give payroll support so hospitality companies can retain their employees
