“The concept of surprise and delight versus gambling, on a continuum, are a long way from each other. You buy or grind your way up to getting a gold pack, you open it up, and you’re either happy or you think it’s a crappy pack. I don’t see that as gambling, per se—but again, this is my personal view as an outsider right now.”
—Peter Moore, former head of EA Sports, who says he doesn’t agree with critics who characterize loot boxes as a form of gambling
“Each week, we will tackle different aspects of what for some is a fun recreation but for others is an addiction that forever alters and sometimes ends lives. The show will be a raw and revealing look into the fastest-growing vice in the country and I look forward to providing my first-hand perspective for both those dealing with the grip of their gambling compulsions as well as the loved ones in their lives.”
—Craig Carton, New Jersey radio host, confessed gambling addict, and now host a WFAN New York radio show on addiction with contributor Chris Christie
“If the law is approved as it is, the vast majority of the existing gambling establishments will disappear and with them, our jobs. It is unreasonable for a company that has a license and meets all the requirements to be forced to close by arbitrary criteria and without any evidence or report backed by objective data. This is not Venezuela.”
—Iñaki Angulo, spokesman for Madrid casino workers, on a proposed new law that would bar gaming halls near schools
“We would suggest the public should not leave Guangdong unless it is necessary to do so … and not to go to any mid- or high-risk places inside or outside the country’s borders. If they must…(they should) get informed of the virus spread situation and the prevention measures of their destinations.”
—Huang Fei, deputy director, Guangdong Health Commission, asking people in the Chinese province to not travel during the Chinese New Year
“We have to keep fighting and we cannot let our guard up. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, avoid gatherings, practice social distancing and wash your hands often.”
—Jonathan Nez, president, Navajo Nation, which has been hard-hit by Covid-19 cases and is accelerating the rollout of vaccines for the elderly
“Whether or not there is a future for IR in Hokkaido, the first step for any tourist destination has to be getting over this pandemic. Nothing is more essential than established and proven safety measures. Any IR bid announcements would come after that.”
—Unnamed IR expert, who told Inside Asian Gaming that integrated resort bids in Hokkaido, Japan will have to wait until the Covid-19 outbreak subsides
“The tribes are, and should be, in the driver’s seat. They’re ready, they employ thousands of state residents and their operations already contribute millions of dollars to the state.”
—Mike Anthony, columnist, Hartford Courant, calling for legalization of sports betting at Connecticut’s two tribal casinos
“Very few states have allowed online casinos so far, but they’re all looking at it because they’re desperate for revenue and jobs. Sports betting is getting all the attention, but we’re projecting that online casinos will be more valuable.”
—Neil Bluhm, co-founder of Rush Street Interactive, which offers both sports betting and online casinos
“Prohibitionists sadly chose to spread images on social media of children wearing football kits with imitation betting firm logos on them … This may be emotive, but it’s also mendacious and irresponsible.”
—Michael Dugher, CEO, U.K. Betting and Gaming Council, on misleading anti-gambling ads that show kids in sports uniforms adorned with betting-firm logos
“We Chinese people always try peaceful means before resorting to force.”
—Sean Ma, activist investor, on his demand that MGM Resorts International sell down its controlling stake in its Macau subsidiary
