“When the tribal nations succeed in putting the state of Oklahoma in its place, the NCAI will be standing right there with them.”
—Fawn Sharp, president, National Congress of American Indians, on the compact dispute between Oklahoma tribes and Governor Kevin Stitt
“There’s a principle in public policy that says never fund an essential service of government with an unsteady source of funding. I think that’s a fair statement.”
—Kay Ivey, governor of Alabama, who is unconvinced the state should rely on gaming revenue as a way to pay the bills
“Having seen pictures of scantily clad women being used to once again promote organizations to men in suits, I can’t help but feel disappointed. Time and again, this industry appears to be totally lacking in morals and decency.”
—Carolyn Harris, U.K. Labour MP, condemning the appearance of “promo girls” at ICE 2020
“I’m absolutely gutted I will not be working at this year’s PDC World Darts Championships. I will certainly miss the buzz of being on the main stage of the biggest darting event.”
—Daniella Allfree, model who’s losing work because of complaints that scantily clad women should not appear at trade shows like ICE
“Compared to other types of addiction, compulsive gambling may be hidden for a long time to the outside world.”
—Linda Lomborg, head of StopSpillet, a problem gambling helpline run by Danish gaming regulator Spillemyndigheden
“This guy was treated like royalty with all my clients’ stolen money. He was like the worst gambler on the planet.”
—Corey Silverstein, attorney for investors who lost $6 million when swindler Gino Accettola gambled it at the MGM Grand Detroit; a Michigan court said MGM isn’t liable for the losses
“We don’t want Sihanoukville to be a ‘casino place’ but an industrial city, which provides technological, economic and tourism services.”
—Vongsey Vissot, Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance, on Sihanoukville’s future following a ban on iGaming
“Sands China considers it as part of our corporate social responsibility to continually look out for the well-being of the community and to assist in periods of need.”
—Wilfred Wong, president, Sands China, on the firm’s donation of 500,000 facemasks to stem the spread of the coronavirus. Sands also donated $3 million
“I feel like I’ve been doing sports wagering for years; it’s called the Kentucky Derby.”
—Ashli Watts, president and CEO, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, speaking on behalf of legislation to bring sports betting to the state
“This is a country of second chances, and I don’t think Pete Rose poses a threat to the integrity of the game.”
—Mark Rosenbaum, representing Pete Rose in yet another bid to make the former MLB player and manager eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame
“It’s about our tribal rights. The land that we live on. The blood and bones of our ancestors. We’ve never moved. We’ve always remained here. We should have our land intact.”
—Cedric Cromwell, chairman, Mashpee Wampanoag tribe of Massachusetts, on the tribe’s efforts to put land into trust
“If this doesn’t pass, there’s no other bill this year. You’d have to start over next January. We’ve already missed the Super Bowl and we’re going to miss March Madness because the governor didn’t sign it.”
—Scott Strom, Maine House of Representatives, frustrated by Governor Janet Mills efforts to uphold her veto of a sports betting bill passed last year
“I might as well go into the restroom and talk to the urinal and go home.”
—Resident of Ridgecrest, California, objecting a closed-door meeting where city officials and the Timbisha Shoshone tribe came to terms on a tribal casino
