“I don’t know who’s right, I don’t want to get political, but it’s pretty easy for my employees to wear a mask during their shift, much like a nurse or a doctor. I think it makes the customer feel safer.”
—Jonathan Fine, Las Vegas bar owner, on the shifting state of Covid-19 safety restrictions
“Just a few weeks ago, we were optimistic about where our business and country were heading. The delta variant, combined with vaccine hesitancy, is pushing us in the wrong direction again.”
—Jay Marciano, AEG, on event organizers’ continuing demand for proof of vaccine or negative Covid status to attend concerts and other shows
“The nature of poker is to be in close proximity with your opponents for extended periods of time, and a seat at the World Series of Poker is a commitment for both our company and the participants.”
—Ty Stewart, executive director, World Series of Poker, on why participants need to be vaccinated
“We get no cooperation from the horsemen, who love to complain about the drugs but don’t lift a finger to help us catch the perpetrators.”
—Jeff Gural, owner of racetracks in New Jersey and New York, on the problem of doping horses
“While the gambling industry may offer some much-needed employment in these areas, it usually takes much more than it gives, leaving a legacy of greater hardship and increased social problems.”
—Jamie Evans, researcher, University of Bristol, on the proliferation of gambling venues in economically depressed areas of the U.K.
“It sounds like we won’t be opening because of the fire.”
—Joe Gillespie, mechanic, Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, on wildfires that have destroyed thousands of acres and may keep resorts and casinos closed indefinitely
