“States now have to get creative to hit their budgets. Cost-cutting is one thing, but no state can cost-cut their way out of this. It’s time for them to look at revenue enhancement.”
—Derek Stevens, Las Vegas casino magnate, predicting a boom in sports gambling in most of the 50 states
“If a single person is sick in a venue, it’s probably not necessary to close it down. We didn’t do that at grocery stores, we didn’t do that with Walmarts and similar cases. If that were the case, everything in Southern Nevada would be shut down.”
—Brian Labus, assistant professor in epidemiology, UNLV who says social distancing and masks work have led to less severe quarantine recommendations
“Are you for an IR bid? Or are you against one? This continued ambiguity is utterly disgraceful.”
—Kenji Utsunomiya, candidate for governor of Tokyo, demanding that current Governor Yuriko Koike get off the fence and declare her intentions when it comes to an integrated resort bid
“I have the money, the time and the guts to fight it, so let’s do it. That’s how I’m looking at it.”
—Eric Persson, CEO, Maverick Gaming, promising to sue if a Washington state law authorizes tribes to offer sports gaming, but elbows aside commercial casinos
“Thirty days, plus or minus, after the pandemic hit, we began exploring reopening plans. That was our directive, and we think it’s helped us return our guests and build relationships with new folks.”
—Mario Kontomerkos, CEO, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, on how the casino was able to successfully reopen after the Covid shutdown
“It took Covid-19 for sportsbook operators and suppliers to realize that esports can stand alone as an offering. What’s been learned cannot be unlearned, so this will be a steady part of the offering going forward, and we’ve only seen the start of it.”
—Ebbe Groes, CEO, EveryMatrix, who says esports will stick around even after most sports return, and become a big draw for bettors
“Compliance is not a polite suggestion; it is a requirement.”
—Phil Murphy, New Jersey governor, on his insistence that masks be worn in public places
“No booze? No one’s coming.”
—Bob McDevitt, president, Local 54 in Atlantic City, on what the ban on alcohol will do to patronage at the casinos
“Right now, our Covid-safe casinos are all dressed up, but our loyal and patient customers have nowhere to go.”
—John O’Reilly, CEO, Rank Group, speaking against the continued closure of U.K. casinos
“Bettors will find most anything to bet on.”
—Erika Nardini, CEO, Barstool Sports
