“It’s past time that we end the rampant doping that plagues horse racing and is contributing to racehorse fatalities. We can’t sit idly by while these magnificent creatures continue to die.”—Dianne Feinstein, California senator and co-sponsor of the Horseracing Integrity Act, which would ban doping of race horses. More than 37 horses have died at California’s Santa Anita Racetrack since last Christmas
“It’s not for the interest of the environment; it’s not for the community. It’s for personal self-gain and for others that are going to benefit from delaying the opening of our project.”—Raymond “Chuckie” Hitchcock, chairman, Wilton Rancheria, on the legal appeal of a decision upholding his tribe’s right to build a casino in Elk Grove, California
“Limiting the number of terminals would be as useful a way to address problem gambling as it would be to address alcoholism by limiting the number of aisles in a liquor store.”—Tom Bruno, councilman, Champaign, Illinois on increasing the number of video gambling machines at approved establishments
“Such a draconian concept of lifetime jurisdiction is found nowhere in the statutes or regulations relied upon by the Nevada Gaming Control Board.”—An attorney for Steve Wynn, filing for dismissal of a NGCB complaint seeking financial redress against the former casino tycoon for alleged sexual misconduct
“There’s actually not that much research about the Asian American community and gambling addiction, even though it is a community that is widely known to be at risk.”—Giles Li, Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, on concerns that residents there may be especially vulnerable to gambling addiction
“Governor Torres will continue to serve the people of the CNMI as he has always done, with integrity and in pursuit of progress for our people. He asks for your continued understanding and patience as this process proceeds toward the eventual clearing of his name.”—Office of Saipan Governor Torres, now under investigation by a grand jury that will look at cash transactions and land lease or purchase agreements between Torres and casino operator Imperial Pacific International
“We constantly look for ways to make our regulatory approach more effective, ensuring that it keeps up with changes in technology and consumer behavior, that we remain fit for purpose and continue to effectively respond to emerging issues and risks.”—UK Gambling Commission, rejecting a parliamentary report that suggested it allows the industry to “prey on vulnerable gamblers”
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“I want to create entertainment not yet seen before. I want to make a Yokohama a place I want to visit over and over again.”—George Tanasijevich, global managing director, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and president and CEO of Marina Bay Sands, on the company’s planned IR bid in Yokohama, Japan
“The Manny rematch is the biggest thing that can happen. I hope it does happen, it could be a big possibility that fight is the grand opening for the Japan casinos.”—Jay Lau, Hong Kong boxing promoter, on plans by Floyd Mayweather to build a casino empire in Japan, and launch it with a rematch against Manny Pacquiao.
“No tax, no license. Let them go. Anyway, they are not paying taxes.”—Joey Salceda, Philippine House of Representatives, who says the country’s gaming regulator should not license any offshore operator that doesn’t pay taxes
“We have been so busy in Indiana that we’re staying in our own lane and focusing on all of the busy things that we have going on right now.”—Sara Gonso-Tait, executive director, Indiana Gaming Commission, responding to a question about the “chaos” around sports betting in Illinois and Ohio
“A lot of them are running illegal dispensaries out of these things, so you get the gambling, you get the marijuana, you get the prostitution. The gangs are providing security, they’re taxing the businesses to operate on their turf. Just this weekend at one of these facilities we had a shooting.” —Cpl. Anthony Bertagna, Santa Ana, California police, on the recent raid of an illegal gaming venue inside a smoke shop
“If anything, this bill seems likely to exacerbate tensions between the Seminole tribe and the state.”—John Holden, assistant professor, Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State, talking about the difficulty in passing sports betting legislation in Florida
“They had to be dragged kicking and screaming to support the Lib Dem-led initiative to reduce the maximum stake for FOBTs and have no interest in protecting the vulnerable any further.”—Layla Moran, spokeswoman, UK Liberal Democrat party, discussing the Conservative position on reducing the maximum bets on machines
