“First, I think that some of the numbers that some of the proponents are talking about are probably exaggerated. Whether it is a revenue generator or not I think is a second question before you decide whether it’s legal or not, if it’s constitutional or not.”
—Ohio Senate President Larry Obhof, explaining why he opposes legalizing sports betting in the Buckeye state
“It was not without cost and not without some risk.”
—Bill Hornbuckle, president of MGM Resorts, on the risks the company took in investing $960 million to make the MGM Springfield unlike most Las Vegas style casinos
“I can only imagine for those folks who were born and raised and have deep connections to this community, will have when they walk thru this facility on August 24.”
—Alex Dixon, MGM Springfield general manager, on the impending opening of the casino
“You gotta go. It’s an incredible facility. It’s right smack in the heart of what was the rundown center of a post-industrial city, dilapidated, and it is now bustling and it’s alive. People are excited.”
—Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, after doing a pre-opening tour of the MGM Springfield casino
“Before the Universal Studios Japan theme park opened in Osaka 2001, it faced pressure from corporate and political partners to offer ‘adviser’ type jobs to various silver-haired men of dubious business ability who were owed favors by Osaka politicians or senior corporations.”
—Eric Johnston, Japan Times, who says casino operators hoping to build an IR in Osaka will likely be pressured to hire “politically connected but largely incompetent good ol’ boys”
“Other than site hoarding and clearing of the land, we have not commenced any construction works since our groundbreaking on 7 August.”
—Spokesperson, Landing International, on claims that construction has begun at its proposed integrated resort in Manila. NayonLanding was effectively cancelled the day of the groundbreaking on orders of President Rodrigo Duterte
“It’s one thing if there were competitors and one was not doing well, while the other is thriving. But that’s not the case here. The frustration is that because if there’s only one license, if it fails, the entire casino industry fails.”
—Edwin K. Propst, Saipan lawmaker, on the failure of Imperial Pacific International, the sole casino operator in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, to make payroll or meet construction deadlines
“We are hoping that pausing the pokies will also allow gamblers to think about their gambling and it may lead to people seeking help from a local service if they are experiencing harm or know someone that is.”
—Andree Froude, New Zealand Problem Gambling Foundation, on the “Pause the Pokies” initiative, which will suspend play at 700 locations for one hour in September
“Next he’ll be telling us that people enjoy smoking and it’s good for them.”
—Stephen Mayne, anti-gaming activist, on Gaming Technologies Australia CEO Ross Ferrar’s assertion that gaming is good for all Australians, whether they approve of it or not
“It’s quite a big mess. The big message is, if it can happen to Tencent, it can happen to anyone.”
—Serkan Toto, CEO, gaming consultant Kantan Games, on the freeze on gaming licenses in China
“This is the greatest opportunity of my lifetime.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on his determination to get an IR license in Japan
