“Some of us who are not so familiar with the digital world still struggle with what the joy and the excitement is with these virtual prizes. But for the people who are involved in the game and are vested in it, this certainly engages their attention to a rather distinct degree.”
—Josephine Teo, Singapore’s Manpower Minister and Second Minister for Home Affairs, who is bewildered by loot boxes and other iGaming incentives
“I don’t even gamble. At the same time, I have been to these types of casinos and I have seen the individuals who before were having a hard time and now were working jobs that were paying them $25 to $30 dollars an hour as they move up. This wasn’t about gambling. This was about giving individuals jobs with a future.”
—Scott Conklin, chairman of Pennsylvania’s House Gaming Oversight Committee, who is disappointed that a casino won’t open at a mall in State College
“She said she was a ‘blank slate’ and that the understanding of the residents of the prefecture would be a precondition for moving forward. She has lied to us.”
—Yukio Edano, Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, blasting Yokohama Mayor Fumiko Hayashi for her recent support of an integrated resort bid in the prefecture
“Resort-integrated casinos are an inevitable discussion. Ninety-five percent of developed countries already allow this, and Brazil will be no different.”
—Marcelo Álvaro Antônio, Brazil tourism minister, who says casinos should operate alongside or integrated with resorts for a full tourism experience
“During the winter, the region offers some of the best skiing on the planet. We believe there is an opportunity to further develop this industry. During the summer, the region is an ideal location to escape the heat in Tokyo, Seoul or Shanghai.”
—Spokesman, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, on the U.S. gaming operator’s plan to bid for an integrated resort license in Tomakomai, Japan
“I think Manchester United is somehow supporting the betting companies. I’m playing just to get my money back.”
—Getabalew Seife, Ethiopian gambler, who is representative of rising gambling fever in the African country
“It is apparent to us that Betfair’s conduct confirms that it intends to ‘free ride’ on Hong Kong racing by exploiting the club’s racing product in the absence of any commercial or integrity agreement with the club.”
—Philana Poon, secretary, Hong Kong Jockey Club, blasting Betfair Australia for offering wagers on its race meets after HKJC issued a cease-and-desist order
“One thing that’s nice about Maine is that we’re able to sit back and watch and see what other states are doing wrong and we have the ability to not make that same mistake here.”
—Milton Champion, executive director, Maine Gambling Control Unit, who says he’s happy to let other states to iron out the kinks in sports betting before Maine jumps in
“The real shame is that bettors in D.C. won’t have broad access to a traditional, competitive sportsbook. The Intralot product is a fixed-payout sports lottery, and one that is borderline predatory by design.”
—Eric Ramsey, analyst, Legal Sports Report, criticizing D.C.’s choice to award a no-bid contract to power the new sports betting industry
“Deep down, Senators Schumer and Romney know their bill is dead on arrival.”
—Howard Stutz, CDC Gaming Reports, on the slim chances for a federal sports betting bill
