“People think if we’re going to do this, it’s going to be roses and sunshine. They need to know the social costs. There’s no free lunch. Every action has a consequence, and that consequence can be devastating.”
—Bill Morgan, former captain of Connecticut’s Capitol Police to the Hartford Courant after testifying to legislators considering gambling expansion about his gambling addiction
“It isn’t Watergate, but I am reminded of the words of accidental President Gerald Ford whenever I’m forced to think about the gaming industry’s long nightmare at Wynn Resorts. At some point, it just needs to be over.”
—John L. Smith, columnist for CDC Gaming Reports, over the year-long investigation of Wynn Resorts and allegations against former CEO Steve Wynn
“Whether you like it or not, there’s already sports betting going on in Massachusetts, just illegally. Legalizing sports wagering would generate revenue, keep people safe, and create opportunities for the 600-plus employees here at DraftKings.”
—James Chisholm, director for global affairs at DraftKings, supporting legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts
“I think we’re going to see some of the major tribal gaming operators work out deals with states, because states can’t afford to say no to that additional revenue. Some of the smaller tribal gaming operations and those in rural areas may be less inclined to get on board.”
—Hilary Tompkins, former Solicitor General for the US Department of Interior on the challenges of passing sports betting in states that have Indian gaming
“I think that’s coming. As other states moving in that direction that have authorized sports betting, we will need to also.”
—Connecticut Senate President Martin M. Looney on the inevitability of internet sports betting coming to the state
“I think it’s important that you have a reasonable tax rate because the reality is we’re competing with the underground so it’s important that we don’t have these astronomical rates or astronomical fees.”
—Joe Verrengia, a state representative in Connecticut calling for a tax rate on sports betting that will discourage the black market
“I’m concerned that we, as a legislative body, have not fully vetted and evaluated the impact of sports gambling and internet. So shouldn’t we be cautious in learning our lessons?”
—Tony Hwang, a Connecticut state senator who opposes expanded gaming in his state
“As medical practitioners whose duty it is to protect the health of our prefectural citizens, it is impossible for us to overlook a casino concept that would create gambling addiction in our region. We call upon the people to unite in opposition against a bid for this kind of gambling facility.”
—Shizuoka Prefectural Association of Medical and Dental Practitioners, asking Governor Heita Kawakatsu to reject an IR bid from the prefecture
“Now there are illegal casinos at the border areas. Because they are illegal, there is nothing is left for the country and no security either. Crimes can happen. If they are regulated by laws, border tourism will increase.”
—U Thet Lwin Toe, chairman, Myanmar Tourism Entrepreneurs Association, who supports the legalization of casinos in the country
“The president of the Philippines has expressed his dissatisfaction with the terms of the lease contract entered by Landing Philippines.”
—Landing International, in a marvel of understatement about President Rodrigo Duterte’s feelings on the onetime NayonLanding resort project. Duterte fired the whole board of Nayong Filipino on the day of the groundbreaking
“There has been no fines, no jail time—in fact no punitive action whatsoever.”
—Andrew Wilkie, Australian MP, irate that Crown Resorts escaped censure for allowing gamblers to bypass gaming machine rules
“These twin totems of greed, with their overblown towers, now dominate this part of the harbor.”
—Philip Thalis, architect and Sydney councillor, slamming two new casino towers in the city developed by Star Entertainment and Crown Resorts
