“If Macau adapts to coexist with the virus, we will enter the third stage and all social operations will be opened normally. Right now Macau is about to enter the second stage.”
—Alvis Lo, director of the Macau Health Bureau, signaling a welcome relaxation of China’s strict zero-Covid policy
“I think you’ll see a changed Macau, and that’s actually a good thing for the economy in general, because you’ll be expanding the economy as well.”
—Allan Zeman, non-executive director and chairman, Wynn Macau, on plans to bring more non-gaming attractions to the casino city
“I swear I only knew about the existence of these documents when Prosecutor Lai presented these in court.”
—Levo Chan, Macau junket chief on trial for taking illegal bets, denying at trial that he was aware of paperwork referring to under-the-table wagers
“If you’re a regulator, stick to that. You cannot run gambling casinos.”
—Benjamin Diokno, Philippines finance secretary, calling for the sale of casinos run by PAGCOR, the country’s regulatory body
“The express part of this [compact] is that this makes betting legal off Indian lands.”
—Hamish Hume, the attorney for two parimutuels filing suit to stop the Seminole Tribe of Florida from holding a monopoly on sports betting, speaking about the problem with the 2021 compact.
“This is a regulation of something that’s going on, and it’s not going to go away.”
—Rick Perry, the former Texas governor, now spokesman for the Sports Betting Alliance, which supports sports betting, telling people that legalization of sports betting is not an expansion of gambling.
“I feel as though our lawmakers’ intent is clear.”
—Cathy Judd-Stein, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, speaking about the legislators approving sports betting but without including how to handle promotional spending in terms of taxes.
“Lots of people in other provinces are watching, learning, and assessing. If and when they choose to engage, they’ll figure out what’s right for their market. Everybody will approach this differently, because gaming markets are unique in every province, and they’ll figure out what works for them.”
—Paul Burns, president and chief executive officer of the Canadian Gaming Association, on the evolution of the new Ontario online gaming market
“Gambling advertising occurs across a wide range of platforms, including in sports venues, online and on television. Advertising and promotions, including through the sponsorship of sports teams, are regularly received by those considered vulnerable by the Gambling Act 2005. This includes children and those with gambling problems.”
—Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICE), in a report on what a public health approach to regulating gambling would look like
