“The legal sports betting framework should carry forward Massachusetts’ deep commitment to supporting innovation and tech companies like DraftKings by putting mobile operators on the same regulatory footing as bricks-and-mortar betting outlets.”
—DraftKings CEO Jason Robbins arguing for a Massachusetts sports betting bill that allows a myriad of companies to participate
“It’s a race to be first in the market. It’s really important, particularly for a facility like ours right on the border.”
—Michael Mathis, president of the MGM Springfield casino, talking about the need for Massachusetts to enter the sports betting market as soon as possible
“While sports betting certainly presents an exciting business opportunity for entrepreneurs, it is not a panacea for delivering consistent local aid.”
—Deborah Goldberg, Massachusetts state treasurer, worrying that legalizing sports betting could rob the State Lottery of money for local entities like municipalities
“I can’t think of an opportunity in the world today with as potentially high a return on investment. Even given everything we know—construction costs, regulations, taxes, gaming restrictions, entry fees—it’s an extraordinary opportunity.”
—Jim Murren, chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International, on the U.S. company’s hopes for a Japan IR license
“I think his company is a bit of a joke—it is a competitor. My association with him is the fact that I am his son. But apart from that I run my businesses and my life pretty much separate from him.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, dissing his father Stanley Ho’s company, Macau casino operator SJM
“I am thrilled Lawrence Ho and Melco have chosen to invest in Crown … Crown is a stronger company with Lawrence and Melco as a strategic shareholder.”
—James Packer, on the sale of almost 20 percent of his Crown Resorts to Melco CEO and Chairman Lawrence Ho
“People get paid, but they don’t get to bring the money home, they lose it. There are bookmakers at every turn. I received such complaints in every city, every village, in Yerevan.”
—Nikol Pashinyan, prime minister of Armenia, who says many voters he talks to wants him to ban betting companies
“There is so much earnings potential in the business, but no one is going to touch it as-is.”
—James Spenceley, Donaco investor, insisting Joey Lim and his brother Ben Lim must be ousted from the company board “for the company to get back on investor watch lists”
“Building a casino will become a turning point for growth in North Jeolla Province.”
—Bareunmirae Party, a minority group in South Korea that supports casino development as a way to woo more tourists and stimulate economic growth
“We’re putting the casino first, and our logo is very symbolic of our approach of how we’re going to re-brand the property and how we’re going to treat our guests when they come here. We’re definitely putting our casino guests first. We are a casino first, among other things, and we’re going to act like that.”
—Mike Donovan, chief marketing office for Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino Resort—formerly the Revel—to the Camden Courier Post ahead of Memorial Day weekend
