“If they don’t curb some of their products, I think they will become toxic and they will get a stench off them like the tobacco industry.”
—Stewart Kenny, co-founder and former CEO, Paddy Power, who says he quit the gaming industry because it’s irresponsible about problem gambling
“To build the greatest and most amazing IR in the world in Japan needs to be situated in a city where the infrastructure and accessibility is there. That’s why we’ve declared that we are Yokohama First. Our main and only focus is on developing in Yokohama.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, who is prepared to invest up to $10 billion in a Japanese integrated resort
“We are strong believers—particularly on a compliance standpoint—that things like facial recognition are critical to operations. There are just too many faces out there, and you can’t expect a security guard to memorize a book of faces… and have the force to stop someone who shouldn’t actually be coming in.”
—Avery Palos, senior VP and chief information officer, Melco Resorts, who says the firm is ready to deploy its proprietary facial recognition system, MelGuard, as soon as regulators require it
“They will always be looking at different ways to do it, and our job is to be a step ahead of them and figure that out. We can’t stop everybody, but we are working extremely hard on this.”
—Nada Semaan, director, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, warning casino owners to watch for professional money launderers
“You’re going to work for nothing. I don’t like being in debt.”
—Dale Mahlum, former Montana state senator and chairman of the state Board of Horse Racing, on how the board paid off a $628,000 debt three years early
“Obviously they will be influential in bringing guests to their own property, but I always say ‘100 percent of zero is still zero, and 50 percent of something is still something.’”
—Hakan Dagtas, executive vice president, Philippine casino operator Travellers International Hotel Group, on competition among the operators in Manila’s Entertainment City
“I no longer think the city’s problems can be solved by a sugar pill. If a casino comes, another sort of population will come to Eilat and that will affect the city’s residents. I think that’s wrong.”
—Yoav Igra, owner, Herod’s Palace Hotel in Eilat, Israel, where Sheldon Adelson and Donald Trump have considered building casinos—despite his misgivings, Igra said, if there’s a tender he might bid
“We can provide more entertainment whether it’s theatrical or sports. We can provide venues for your high schools, colleges and universities to have a place to play. We can bring our incredible talent of live entertainment. You want to see Lady Gaga? Well, I can bring her to Empire City.”
—Jim Murren, chairman and CEO, MGM Resorts International, who recently told businesspeople in Westchester, New York that MGM’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers will grow with a full gaming license
“There’s no excuse for failing to comply with the law and deliberately attempting to mislead regulators. In the gaming world, if you fail to play by the rules, expect to pay the price.”
—Xavier Becerra, California attorney general, on fines of $6.1 million imposed on the Hawaiian Gardens Casino for failing to follow money laundering rules
“It’s all about the tribes. It’s not in the best interest of all Californians.”
—Bill Dodd, California state senator, on a proposal by 18 tribes that would give monopoly on sports betting to tribal casinos and racetracks
“It’s got to be pushed. We have all the tools in place so that it’s easy for (the government) to approve this if they want to. It’s a no-brainer. It doesn’t need to be included in any budget. It’s just one line that needs be eliminated from the criminal code.”
—Brian Masse, Windsor, Canada MP, on efforts to get the government to approve single-event games for sports betting
“You can’t talk about raising taxes or finding new sources of revenue until you really do have your house in order. This city still has a long way to go.”
—Steve Sweeney, New Jersey Senate president, on why Atlantic City shouldn’t get a cut of sports betting taxes
