“Chinese people, like Australian people, are suddenly feeling a bit poorer than they were a couple of years ago.”
—John Alexander, executive chairman, Crown Resorts, on the sharp decline in spending by Chinese high-rollers who visit Australian casinos
“Who in Japan supports you? You can’t just come in cold and say, ‘Here we are, we’re the best.’ That’s not going to fly.”
—Dominic Carter, Japan market expert, with advice for the many global gaming operators lining up to win a Japanese integrated resort license
“Given the high number of tourists, which has increased significantly, some residents say the city is doomed to explode.”
—Leong Sun Iok, Macau legislator, on growing concerns that too many tourists will put “pressure on residents”
“They don’t want to go to a ghetto that’s only made for tourists. They want to go where locals go.”
—Matt Bekier, Star Entertainment, on the appeal of locals gaming halls for international tourists
“We’re not thinking about bringing Galaxy Macau to Boracay. No. We’re going to bring a low density eco-friendly resort, a beach resort, to Boracay. It’s very different.”
—Francis Lui, vice chairman, Galaxy Entertainment, insisting the firm will respect the environment of Boracay Island if it is permitted to build a resort there
“I want new president Jair Bolsonaro to help me approve a super-license to have a casino and online casino sites. I received a visit from Sheldon Adelson, president of Las Vegas Sands, and he is very interested in investing US$2.65 billion and generating 50,000 jobs.”
—Marcelo Crivella, mayor of Rio de Janiero, a big fan of the ongoing effort to bring casinos to Brazil (including online casinos, which Adelson opposes)
“Some politicians ask for bingos and machines outside the casinos. But we want to present the casino.”
—Rodrigo Maia, president, Brazil Deputies Chamber, who is firmly in the “yes” column when it comes to full-fledged casino resorts in the country
“Legislation in the U.S. typically moves fairly slowly. We want legislation to happen as quickly as possible, because every day that goes by is a day lost, and results in more players in the black market.”
—Max Michsel, director of Kambi US, on the sluggishness of sports betting progress in the U.S. in an interview with Legal Sports Report
“It’s not going to be a lot of money for the tribal casinos, but it’s a very important additional gaming offering that would be very beneficial for them to have.”
—Richard Wells, president of Wells Gaming Research, on how much money Arizona stands to make in state revenue if it legalizes sports betting
“I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of seeing our money going to Nevada and tired of seeing our money going off-shore. In my book, options equal freedom. Why not allow our citizens to participate in games they like?”
—State Senator Sonny Borelli, author of a bill that would give Arizona’s Indian tribes a monopoly on sports betting, although the kiosks could be in non-tribal businesses
“I’m pretty certain that we’ll see revenue streams that are related to sports betting in the upcoming budget. I think the political will is there to get it done sooner rather than later.”
—Rep. Joe Verrengia, co-chairman of the Connecticut legislature’s public safety committee on the possibility of passing a sports betting bill
“We respectfully, but unequivocally, take the position that all gaming expansion proposals—particularly those that involve third parties not involved in that agreement—must not only satisfy the state’s best interest, but must also fully honor the exclusivity rights of the tribes in that agreement.”
—Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of Foxwoods, testifying to the Connecticut legislation about gaming expansion
