“It expands the tribal casino operators’ untaxed monopoly on gaming without benefit to Californians. It prioritizes tribal casino operators’ wealth over the needs of California communities and public health.”
—Kyle Kirkland, president of the California Gaming Association, on the tribal sports betting initiative that’s qualified for the 2022 ballot
“If we decide to submit a casino bid, it could continue for 40 years, making a big problem even for our grandchildren. It is important that the future of the city we live in is decided by the citizens.”
—Spokesman, Wakayama Citizens Association for a Casino Bid Referendum, insisting that no casino should be approved there without a public vote
“The declining birthrate and aging population make achieving an IR an important element in revitalization of the Yokohama economy.”
—Takashi Ueno, president, Yokohama Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who will support a mayoral candidate who supports the city’s IR bid
“So it’s only when the (regulator) starts rattling the saber about the number of staff that Crown does anything about it.”
—Adrian Finanzio, Victoria, Australia royal commission, asking Crown Resorts to explain a chronic shortage of staff to monitor problem gambling
“With the introduction of the digital renminbi, Macau becomes a single-currency jurisdiction. Once that happens the market for the casinos absolutely explodes.”
—Ben Lee, iGamiX, on the benefits of digital currency to Macau gaming
“The assumption by a lot of people is that this is a negative thing. We view it as a positive. We would love to have more cross-border currency. We’re looking to focus on the mass customer, premium mass—that’s our bread and butter, that’s who we are, where we want to go.”
—Rob Goldstein, CEO, Las Vegas Sands, on a possible digital currency in Macau and China
“I went to the (Golden) Knights game on Sunday, their first playoff game … the town was buzzing. It felt almost like pre-pandemic times. I’m pretty bullish on the summer.”
—Josh Swissman, Strategy Organization, on the pace of recovery in Las Vegas
“The challenge is to get people to actually wear their masks if they have not been vaccinated. It’s on the honor system, and we have a lot of people coming to town who are on their first vacation in a year and a half.”
—Dr. Brian Labus, UNLV School of Public Health, on concerns that Covid-19 could return due to carelessness about public health
“It’s about individuals being able to be treated like adults and having choice. I don’t think there’s a partisan window on this.
—Doug Downey, attorney general, Ontario, Canada, on why he supports a bill that would legalize single-game wagering in Canada
“Their job is not to block you from developing a product.”
—David Gandler, FuboTV cofounder and CEO, on his belief that regulators will not dismiss his company’s quest to offer sports betting on TV
“This can’t be right, I’m going to work.”
—Anonymous winner of Maryland’s $730 million lottery jackpot, the largest ever. A lottery pool bought the ticket in January but didn’t come forth until June
