“Casino openings are always energetic and crazy and rewarding and stressful. I think you go through every emotion that you can imagine, the whole gamut. But it’s also an opportunity to assemble a team of good, hardworking people and work together as a team to put together all aspects of an opening.”
—Sean Sullivan, general manager of Live! Casino Pittsburgh, to the TribLive news site after the grand opening of the casino November 24
“Unfortunately, due to the surge we are experiencing, we must decrease these limits during the pause.”
—Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, on why he lowered capacity in the wake of Covid-19 increases in the state.
“We have been flexible and have adapted to fit whatever restrictions have been imposed.”
—Terry Glebocki, CEO of Ocean Casino Resort, on why they bucked the trends and experienced an increase in profitability in the third quarter.
“The properties have invested heavily in safety protocols and are abiding by imposed capacity limits and outdoor dining. They have more than proven that they can operate safely.”
—Bob Ambrose, casino consultant, on why it is unlikely New Jersey will shut down gaming halls again if restrictions are needed
“I’ll own these decisions, which aren’t easy. But I feel like it’s the only option we have to save lives.”
—Gina Raimondo, governor of Rhode Island, commenting on her decision to shut down a number of businesses, including the state’s two casinos, for two weeks, beginning November 30
“Sports betting provides the opportunity for sports teams and, more importantly, for the sports book operators to have business here in Massachusetts. It would directly translate into jobs, no question.”
—David Friedman, senior vice president of legal and government affairs for the Red Sox, explaining why Massachusetts needs a sports betting bill
“If we don’t do it in this bill, we should absolutely get to work before we end this year to make sure this is done. I am very concerned that we are going to be missing the boat on this.”
—Senator Marc Pacheco, a Massachusetts state legislator pushing a sports betting bill this year
“The risks facing Crown, and to a lesser degree Star, warrant serious consideration of a merger of the two companies.”
—Analyst Sacha Krien of Melbourne-based financial consultants Evans and Partners
