“Corruption, power play, incompetence and dishonesty, especially if government is involved, adversely affect not only this particular project, but other high-stakes development projects of the government.”
—Francis Escudero, Philippine senator, on allegations that the government-controlled Nayong Pilipino Foundation made deals favorable to its casino partner, Landing International, in Entertainment City
“Opponents and critics of the project have shamelessly foisted lies about the project and falsely and maliciously accused the foundation, its trustees, and its officials of graft and corruption in approving the deal with Landing Resorts Philippines Development Corp.”
—Patricia Yvette Ocampo, former chairwoman, Nayong Pilipino Foundation. Ocampo and the rest of the board were fired the day they broke ground on the planned NayonLanding resort in Entertainment City
“The fact that the casino license agreement has been amended five times to benefit the casino without benefitting the people is disappointing.”
—Edwin K. Propst, Saipan lawmaker, clearly frustrated by Imperial Pacific International’s request for yet another extension to finish its island resort
“I really liked the analogy regarding the chicken. Rather than trying to kill it, because you won’t be able to eat it, put some conditions to allow it to lay more eggs.”
—Mark Rabauliman, CNMI Lottery Commission, on the latest extension granted to Imperial Pacific International to complete its casino resort on Saipan
“It is because of casinos that Macau and Hong Kong do not have any foreign debt. While we have a huge deficit, they have large surpluses. The gambling industry has been the main source of income for them.”
—U Aung Hlaing Win, Myanmar planning and finance minister, who has urged the government to legalize casinos there
“I think the level of worry today is not as much as it was in the past. When Okada opened, people were worried it will grab market share. But it turned out the industry just grew faster such that everybody was able to benefit.”
—April Tan, vice president, COL Financial Group, on investor concerns about another casino opening in Manila’s Entertainment City
“We don’t want Macau type junkets that take risks, grant credit to patrons and recoup gambling debts.”
—Toru Mihara, adviser to the Japanese government on its nascent integrated resorts industry
“Business remains good. To date, there has been no negative reaction or even precautions taken by VIP customers as it relates to trade wars and the potential impacts.”
—Grant Govertsen, Union Gaming, expressing optimism that Macau gaming will continue on an upward trajectory
“The underground gambling market in big cities and tourist destinations will take a big hit as large investors displace smaller-scale underground operations.”
—Maxfield Brown, gaming consultant, Dezan, Shira and Associates, who believes legal casinos in Vietnam will wipe out illegal operations
“The current fine of only MOP1,500 (US1,856) is really too little for the smoker gamblers. That amount is not deterrent at all.”
—Cloee Chao, labor organizer, New Macau Gaming Staff Rights Association, on repeated violations of smoking laws in Macau casinos. Chao says chronic offenders should be blacklisted
“Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who led the fight for IR legalization, and his cabinet can’t rest on their laurels. What they should be doing is talking to the public. They need to explain clearly why they passed the legislation and why it will benefit the public.”
—Paul Bromberg, CEO, Spectrum Asia, who says Abe hasn’t done a good job selling integrated resorts to the Japanese public
“They made a very conscious effort to integrate the resort with downtown Springfield. They will be encouraging their guests to actually venture out of the casino to explore downtown Springfield.”
—Kay Simpson, president of Springfield Museums, remarking on the new MGM Springfield’s partnership with area tourist groups to promote the region
“The evidence suggests if we did nothing else in Massachusetts but bring back money that was being gambled in casinos outside Massachusetts by our citizens and that alone would make it a success. We would have $250 million in tax revenue just by bringing back those citizens.”
—Stephen Crosby, chairman of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, on how the opening of new casinos, such as the MGM Grand, keeps Bay State gaming money at home
“Connecticut got skunked, and it will be a while before the state will be able to recover from its mistakes. The dynamic in which Connecticut was siphoning casino gambling dollars from Massachusetts has been reversed.”
—David Collins, writer for the Day, on how Connecticut has been beaten so far in the casino game by Massachusetts
