“Every time the state lottery comes up with a new scratch-off ticket game, we don’t go to a referendum to authorize it.”
—Maryland state Del. Kevin Hornberger, defending the state bill he sponsored that would legalize sports betting as a new game under the state lottery, forgoing the need for a statewide referendum that would be delayed until November 2020
“We have no illusions to the fact that it will not be competitive. It will be highly competitive, but I think the cards are stacked in the favor of those who are prepared, who have been working hard, who will have the best program, best strategy, the best understanding of the country, of the prefecture, and I like a lot MGM’s chances.”
—Jim Murren, chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International, sounding bullish on the U.S. company’s chances to nab one of three Japan IR licenses
“We don’t know yet whether the government is planning more licenses or to let new companies to do a bid. If it is possible our company will try its best. We are quite an aggressive Macau company based and built up in Macau. If the terms come out we will try our best to get it.”
—Melinda Chan, president, Macau Fisherman’s Wharf International Investment Ltd., on parent Macau Legend’s interest in bagging a Macau gaming concessions
“The devil is in the details and enforcement. It’s unclear as of yet what (if anything) the government will target.”
—Vitaly Umansky, Eunice Lee and Kelsey Zhu, Sanford Bernstein analysts, on China’s reinterpretation of laws regulating “grey money” transactions
“We can’t repeat what already exists in Cotai. We will be the last and we will try to bring new offerings.”
—Angela Leong, executive director, SJM Holdings, on the Grand Lisboa Palace, slated to open in 2021
“The first phase of the impact will basically be the lower mass market and one-day trippers. The second wave I strongly believe is the VIP. Why? Because many people told me it takes only one hour from Hong Kong Central to Macau Peninsula. More and more VIP will choose to drive from Hong Kong to Macau.”
—Davis Fong Ka Chio, Macau gaming and tourism expert, on the positive long-term impact of the new Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge
“Having more competition is a good thing. Overall, we’re supportive of the government initiative to increase more lower-tier hotel room supply.”
—Kenny Cheung, secretary general, Macau Hoteliers and Innkeepers Association, making the case for more low-priced hotel rooms in the city
“All of a sudden, Macau plus Hengqin becomes a lot more like Las Vegas plus Orlando.”
—Grant Govertsen, Union Gaming analyst, on a plan for Macau’s Greater Bay Area that would also develop Hengqin into a tourism destination
“What I know is, she wants a meeting. But I have not heard of any such meeting. I have no info.”
—Salvador S. Panelo, aide, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, on PAGCOR head Andrea Domingo’s hope of persuading Duterte to reconsider his casino ban
“Despite not generating immediate gaming revenue, this should pave the way for longer-term growth as casinos gradually convert them into valuable players.”
—Credit Suisse AG, in a note indicating its belief that the Hong Kong-Macau-Zhuhai Bridge could lead to an increase in gaming revenues
“It seems states can approach this opinion by either hoping the federal government, as it’s done with marijuana, won’t interfere with state statutes, or they can join with organizations like the National Association of State Treasurers to press Congress or the Supreme Court for either updated legislation or legal clarity.”
—Boston Herald editorial board, urging states to press Congress to repeal or amend the Interstate Wire Act of 1961 in light of a recent opinion by the Department of Justice
“The new in-person sportsbook that opened in November has been very popular, with lines sometimes stretching out the doors. It is an entertainment option that many Rhode Islanders enjoy, and visitors from outside the state are also flocking to our gaming facilities to place their wagers on sporting events.”
—Dominick J. Ruggerio, president of the Rhode Island Senate, explaining why mobile sports betting should be legalized in the state
“We would be giving a monopoly on online sports gambling to an existing business, Twin River, creating a monopoly in the state of Rhode Island. And this is America, we are supposed to be a free market economy where we have free market competition.”
—State Senator Sam Ball of Rhode Island, opposing a bill to legalize sports betting in the state
