“We have the resistance mainly of the evangelical deputies, but I usually debate with them remembering that gaming is legalized in most Christian nations, as in the USA, Europe and Latin America.”
—Rodrigo Maia, Brazil lawmaker, on opposition to legal casinos in the country
“Ultimately the jobs are coming off human misery and there is massive amounts of suicide and family violence and fraud and imprisonment and mental health issues and homelessness that flows from gambling.”
—Stephen Mayne, Alliance for Gambling Reform, on plans to build a megacasino on the Gold Coast of Queensland
“This has been a moving feast … We had proposals cancelled and back on, then we had pokies in and then out. It’s just going nowhere.”
—David Crisafulli, Australian tourism spokesman, criticizing the Queensland government’s changing plans for a Gold Coast casino resort
“We believe the quality of visitors from HZMB will improve over time. Authorities are opening the bridge to private cars and taxis while making the immigration process simpler and less time consuming, which should drive mass revenue.”
—Morgan Stanley analysts, explaining why they’re bullish on the mass market in Macau
“There are no sacred cows in the current administration, especially when it comes to serving the Filipino people with integrity and loyalty. The campaign against corruption, like the war on prohibited drugs will be relentless and continuing until the last day of the president’s term.”
—Salvador Panelo, spokesman for Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, on the March 8 firing of Alexander Balutan, head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, on corruption charges
“The gaming industry in Mexico has never spoken out against its tax obligations, but it is in favor of an exhaustive review and why not, a new federal tax regime that puts a level playing field for everyone.”
— Miguel Angel Ochoa Sanchez, president, Mexican Gaming Association, who favors an overhaul of the country’s gaming tax structure
“Young people are increasingly playing video games competitively, and there is a large market for New Jersey to tap into to emerge as a primary hub for the esports community, whether it is for technology, wagering or hosting events. As this new industry continues to grow, New Jersey will strive to grow with it to become a national leader in the esports industry.”
—Ralph Caputo, New Jersey Assemblyman at a hearing on eSports before the Assembly’s Tourism, Gaming and the Arts Committee held in Atlantic City
“It would be a place with the feeling of Disneyland but with a casino. Old and young, men and women—it would be a place for all to relax and to play.”
—Kikuo Sugimoto, mayor, Makinohara, Japan on a proposed IR site in the city
“I expect it to be one casino in Brazil, not a whole liberation with machines in every corner. That is bad for our people. Why in Porto Maravilha? Because although it is in Rio, Porto belongs to all Brazilians.”
—Marcelo Crivella, mayor, Rio de Janeiro, who plans a feasibility study on integrated resorts in Brazil, and has already chosen his ideal location
“We believe the quality of visitors from HZMB will improve over time. Authorities are opening the bridge to private cars and taxis while making the immigration process simpler and less time-consuming.”
—Morgan Stanley analysts, on how the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will boost mass market play at Macau’s casinos
“These technologies are an example of our work to drive innovation that enhances customer satisfaction and support the most important factor in personalized guest service: our employees. We are focused on utilizing technology in smart and effective ways that elevate our employees’ ability to deliver a superior guest experience.”
—Brian Ahern, MGM Resorts International director of corporate media relations, discussing the company’s transition to automated bartenders at some of its properties
“It’s a profession, it’s entertainment, people have opinions about sports, just like they have an opinion about what they are going to have for dinner or whether they are going to eat Twinkies or HoHo.”
—Roger Chamberlain, Minnesota state senator, commenting on sports betting, which the legislature is considering legalizing
“The real danger, the real fear, is that is going to lead fairly soon to wide-open internet gambling, where you can play anything you want on your phone. And that keeps a lot of people home.”
—John McCarthy, executive director of the Minnesota Indian Gaming Association speaking against a sports betting bill that would allow wagers on mobile platforms
