“The games-of-chance bill was a Trojan horse for gambling that without a doubt deceived the people of Guam.”
—Telena Nelson, Guam lawmaker, who voted against games of chance at the island’s 75th Liberation Festival, calling them a gateway to widespread gambling
“Three months ago I did not even know Sihanoukville existed. I had to Google it.”
—Victor Chong, marketing director, Jin Bei Group, who said more marketing is needed to bring gamblers to its casino in the coastal Cambodian province
“I do believe there is gambling in all 64 counties, of course, I’m POSITIVE there is gambling in all 64 counties. In fact I’ve checked and the odds are 3-1 that it will pass.”
—Dan Coram, Colorado state senator, speaking in favor of passing a sports betting bill
“It’s going to be a formidable competitor, but we’re already in a market with really strong competitors and we’re monitoring it, and I think for us, there’s plenty of market.”
— Michael Mathis, MGM Springfield president, on whether the Massachusetts market is big enough for his casino and the soon-to-open Encore Boston Harbor
“To shift consumer demand from the offshore market to a legitimate market, Maine will need to create a free market where robust competition from experienced operators, subject to a reasonable tax rate, ensure that lawful products make for a compelling offering.”
—State Senator Matt Pouliot of Maine, arguing for his sports betting bill L.D. 1642
“We, as a state, bring in billions of dollars of revenue from gambling and I feel like we have a moral responsibility to make sure that that revenue is not brought in on the basis of someone’s addiction. I don’t think that’s what we’re about as a state.”
— Shelly Kloba, a Washington state representative who authored the law creating a statewide no play list for gambling addicts to put themselves on
“The professional level of eSports is an incredible animal that’s growing so fast with arenas and top teams receiving huge backing from investors. Part of SeventySix Capital’s thesis is to invest in the amateur side. The exciting thing is that there’s no formal infrastructure for that side of the industry – yet. Most sports start with a grassroots effort, where it goes from the young kids and builds upwards to professional leagues. Esports started with the huge pro leagues and now we need to build the grassroots, build the little leagues, build the kids programs, build the high school tournaments and college level. That’s the opportunity that we’re excited to be investors in.”
—Wayne Kimmel, Managing Partner at venture capital platform SeventySix Capital to CDC Gaming Reports on the potential for growth in eSports before a scheduled appearance at ICE North America
“It’s a gambling device… there’s been a lot of frauds connected with it. There’s been disappearances, so there’s a lot lost on it. Bitcoin hasn’t produced anything. It doesn’t do anything. It just sits there. It’s like a seashell or something, and that is not an investment to me.”
—Warren Buffett on Bitcoin to a group of reporters ahead of Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting
