“It starts with me, right at the top. These are things I’m leading on… As CEO, I can tell you there is no association with Steve Wynn. There is no business association with Steve Wynn. I’m my own man.”—Matt Maddox, new Wynn chief executive officer, remarking on the company’s new direction minus its founder, Steve Wynn
“I’ve never seen a proposal that cannibalizes one part of the state for sake of another part of the state,”— Kevin Ryan, Connecticut state representative, opposing a bill to open bidding for a commercial casino in the state
“Let’s be clear, the only thing this bill accomplishes is to place in jeopardy nearly $1.4 billion is state tax revenue, $328 million of which is slated to go directly to cities and towns.”—Andrew Doba, spokesman for the two gaming tribes of Connecticut, on a bill that would open up casino bids to commercial developers
“(This is) the tribes’ position. Simply by seeking bids, they argue, the state would hurt the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort casinos’ efforts to keep jobs and would jeopardize the tribes’ annual payments to the state, which will drop to about $200 million this year.”—Dan Haar, a columnist on business and public policy, on the legislative debate to seek bids for a commercial casino in Connecticut
“It’s not about the size of the casino, it’s about the size of the market. What we’re saying is, you have a chance for a free look.”—Uri Clinton, spokesman for MGM, arguing for an open casino bidding process in Connecticut
“They were very big piles of cash, it just kept coming. We were wondering at what point he was going to stop spending. It took four people to count the money.”
—Witness who saw high roller buy $190,000 in Penfolds wines after a big win at the tables in Adelaide, Australia
“Federalism serves bipartisan values, allowing each state to decide on laws that best reflect the values and interests of their respective constituencies. Letting states pursue diverse policies also is helpful in learning what works and what does not. If Congress wants to forbid sports gambling, the federal government should bear the costs and political consequences of enforcing that law, rather than dictating to states what their laws shall be.”—Attorney Johnathan Wood and lobbyist Michelle Minton, supporting a U.S. Supreme Court decision that eliminates the federal sports betting ban in a column published by The Hill
“I have an idea… Perhaps the leagues should pay damages to bettors to recoup losses when they blow a call in a game and officially admit the mistake.”—Monmouth Park CEO Dennis Drazen, on proposed “integrity fees” to the leagues on sports betting at New Jersey racetracks
“From day one, creating Melco was to be separate from that empire. Everything we have done, we have tried to do it our way.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on separating himself from his father Stanley Ho’s casino dynasty
“We have a variety of plans aimed at further developing the Japanese market, a key inbound market for our future expansion.”—Lu Tsai, senior VP of operations, Imperial Pacific International, throwing another hat in the ring for Japan
“The moral aspect of gambling is crucial as regards its legalization in Brazil, but I believe that after the elections, there is a minimal but existent chance of discussing this issue at Congress.”—Magnho José, head of Brazil’s Legal Gambling Institute, who says the issue will not likely be moved to the front burner until October
“While Osaka seems to have all its stars aligned, there is no certainty around the other locations.”—Morgan Stanley, in a report on likely integrated resort sites in Japan
“After Macau, we all knew Japan would be the next Holy Grail. With the experience we have learned in Macau and in partnership with Monte Carlo, we can be very much part of it.”—Francis Lui, chairman, Galaxy Entertainment Group, who promises to partner with “a Japanese company or two or three” on an IR in Japan
“Galaxy Macau has become a thousand-pound gorilla that offers everything to everyone.”—DS Kim, JP Morgan gaming analyst, on the Macau operator’s quick rise in global gaming. In 2017, Galaxy posted $5.25 billion in GGR
“Some people say it will destroy Japan, but when you ask them what their objection is, they say ‘I have never been to a casino.’ So it seems that some people’s objection is emotional.”—Koichi Hagiuda, acting secretary general, Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party, who says the primary goals of a casino industry are business and tourism
“While Osaka seems to have all its stars aligned, there is no certainty around the other locations.”—Morgan Stanley, in a report identifying Osaka as the surest bet for a Japan IR
“I personally know some people who are supporting gambling addicts. I know their pain, and Wakayama doesn’t need it.”—Kumiko Shima, independent mayoral candidate who could foil casino plans for Wakayama Prefecture, Japan if she wins in July
“A Supreme Court overturn would mean we would get into sports betting. This business is around fan engagement and helping fans feel closer to the things they like, and clearly sports betting is one way to help people to do that. So, it would be very logical for us to get into it. We have some ideas of how to make that experience better and ones that we feel will resonate with our users. We think we’re uniquely positioned to fulfill that market demand.”
—Matt King, FanDuel CEO to Forbes magazine on the company’s plans for sports betting should the U.S. Supreme Court strike down the federal ban on sports betting
