“There is no doubt I should have attended or resigned… I did neither.”
—James Packer, Crown Resorts majority shareholder, admitting he didn’t attend board meetings in Western Australia, where the company is accused of money laundering
“Supporting the vaccination targets set by the government is going to help our industry reopen, stay open and recover faster.”
—Michael Aherne, CEO, SkyCity Entertainment, which now requires employees and visitors to its New Zealand casinos to be fully vaccinated
“It signals an effective end to the Packer business empire in Australia.”
—The New Daily, reporting that billionaire James Packer won’t object to a dramatic reduction in his Crown stake following years of scandal
“The Lumbees have changed again from identifying themselves as the Lumbee Tribe of Cheraw Indians to the more general Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Congress should not reward this identity-shopping with federal recognition and should not sanction the appropriation of Cherokee history, culture and sovereignty.”
—Richard Sneed, chief, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, on potential federal recognition of the Lumbee Indians, which he says have not proven their legitimacy
“I don’t think the PBR would exist were it not for Las Vegas. They were partners from the first ride. They’ve been the home for our championship for 28 years.”
—Sean Gleason, CEO, Professional Bull Riders, which will relocate its world finals event to Fort Worth, Texas, next year
“It’s a glimmer of hope for all musicians that maybe we’re coming out of this.”
—South River Slim, Ontario musician, on the return of live music to Caesars Windsor
“The mood has shifted in Australia over the last few months, and people are recognizing that we all have a part to play. Covid-19 has been devastating on so many in the community, and our business has an important role to play here.”
—Steve McCann, CEO, Crown Resorts, on mandatory vaccines for employees, guests and contractors at its Melbourne and Sydney resorts
“We’re one of six states that still have a mask mandate in place, and we think that when the mask mandate ends, it should be positive from a psychological standpoint and overall for our business.”
—Lorenzo Fertitta, director, Red Rock Resorts, speaking on a quarterly earnings call about the state of the Nevada casino business
“This should never be called a tribal proposal. It should be called what it is: a proposal by out-of-state operators with tribal stalking horses.”
—David Quintana, tribal lobbyist, on efforts by mobile sportsbooks to operate in alignment with California tribes
“The pandemic accelerated things that were going to happen anyway. The use of cashless systems, of kiosk touchless systems for check-in, the focus on health, safety, and cleanliness.”
—Virginia Valentine, president and CEO, Nevada Resort Association, on technology innovations attributed to Covid-19
“They will just become a family worth $6 or $7 billion with no active businesses that they run.”
—Stephen Mayne, Crown Resorts shareholder, who says majority owner and media heir James Packer should exit the business completely
“It’s a tremendous opportunity that I just can’t understand why it hasn’t been signed. We call upon the Governor to sign the agreement that’s vitally important to the state of Michigan. It’s vitally important to every community in this county. And it will create high paying jobs for citizens.”
—Walter Watt, mayor of Muskegon Heights, arguing for Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to approve of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians’ proposed casino in that city
“You’re probably talking about 550 to 600 real jobs, full time jobs paying medical benefits to all the employees. So significant salary package and benefit package for them. And then also we look at lifestyle, especially for young people that are looking for something to do in this community.”
—Jonathan Swain of Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, which wants to build a casino in Cedar Rapids, in Linn County, Iowa, where voters approved a measure November 2 allowing a casino in the city
