“I was responsible for the investment of more than US$2 billion in Okada Manila. How would I commit estafa against TRLEI and Okada Manila for a measly amount of salaries when I was the one who established and caused the rise and success of Okada Manila?”
—Kazuo Okada, who says he’s innocent of charges that he misappropriated funds from his companies in the Philippines, where he has been indicted for “estafa,” or fraud
“We don’t need a casino in Yokohama. Tourism is already increasing and there’s no cogent argument for them in terms of economic growth. A casino would unmistakably have a negative impact of public security.”
—Yoichiro Aoyagi, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, reiterating his party’s opposition to Japan casinos
“Because the Japanese market is perceived as having the potential to become the biggest regional competitor to Macau, the government may be assuming a wait-and-see attitude before revealing its own strategy for the future.”
—Carlos Eduardo Coelho, Macau law firm MdME, who says Macau lawmakers may be waiting to see what happens in Japan before releasing details of its concession retender
“The SS repudiates all acts of violence and reaffirm that this type of behavior cannot be tolerated. We also urge smokers not to smoke in forbidden places and collaborate with authorities on smoking control.”
—Macau Health Bureau (aka SS), in a statement following a scuffle with gunfire between errant smokers and a police officer at Galaxy Macau in Cotai
“When the lamb goes to the slaughterhouse it has a small probability of killing the butcher. The casinos, though, always bet on the butcher slaughtering the lamb.”
—George Koumoullis, economist and social scientist, in a blistering editorial in the Cyprus Mail about the dangers of problem gambling at Melco’s new casinos
“Movement of horses from one country to the other will virtually stop. The success of major racing festivals such as Cheltenham, Royal Ascot and the Aintree Grand National are very much dependent on Irish trained horses competing. “Cheltenham sees around 10,000 punters travel over from Ireland to their March Festival each year. If there were no Irish horses running those numbers would plummet.”
—Vincent Finegan, editor of Irishracing.com to AffiliateINSIDER on the effect a “no deal” Brexit would have on UK racing
“Connecticut needs to play catch-up with surrounding states if we’re serious about modernizing our existing gaming industry. Fortunately, we can do that with a relatively simple regulatory fix.”
— Catherine A. Osten, state senator from Connecticut, upon introducing a bill that would legalize sports betting in the state
“I’m hoping that the Interior Department corrects its previous failure to properly approve the casino amendments. And I hope the issue is completely resolved before a new secretary is confirmed because that could take some time. … Time is important.”
—Richard Blumenthal, U.S. Senator from Connecticut, urging the Interior Department to approve amended tribal gaming compacts that would allow his state’s tribes to build a commercial casino
“State law, the constitution and our compacts are all very clear about our exclusive right to operate house-banked, casino-style card games.”
—Anthony Roberts, chairman of the Yocha Dehe of California, which has sued the state for allegedly doing nothing to prevent card rooms from violating state law against banked card games
“Since 2012, we have sought resolution through the agencies and individuals responsible for enforcing these laws and preventing illegal gambling activity in California.”
—John Christman, chairman of the Viejas tribe, explaining why his tribe finally sued California for allegedly not enforcing state law as it applies to card rooms
“The tribes have been complaining about the card rooms’ actions for seven years. Frankly, they’ve exercised a lot more patience than the ‘Las Vegas-style’ casino corporations would have if they believed a competitor had crossed the line.”
—John L. Smith, a columnist for CDC Gaming Reports, commenting on a lawsuit filed by three gaming tribes against the state of California
