“Even when we fully open, we reasonably expect that weaker economies, lower personal disposable income and changed entertainment habits as well as longer term travel restrictions will result in us recommencing as a smaller, domestically focused business.”
—Graeme Stephens, CEO, New Zealand gaming operator SkyCity, projecting the longterm impact of Covid-19
“I want fans back in the arenas. I think it’s whenever we’re ready. As soon as we can, obviously. And the fans want to be back, too. They want to see basketball and baseball and football and hockey. They want to see their sports. They want to go out onto the golf courses and breathe nice, clean, beautiful fresh air.”
—Donald Trump, who thinks this year’s NFL season will begin on time in August and September
“These employees are an important part of our family and experience. During these unprecedented times, we are committed to doing what we can to help our culinary community, which is being hit particularly hard during this crisis.”
—Rob Goldstein, president and COO, Las Vegas Sands, pledging to pay employees of the independently owned restaurants at its Venetian and Palazzo resorts in Las Vegas
“This is a disaster that’s 10 times worse than (Hurricane) Katrina. They chose to keep their stockpile of cash for the investors. That came off the backs of these workers.”
— Marlene Patrick Cooper, president, Unite Here local representing casino workers in New Orleans and Biloxi, Mississippi, demanding that they be kept on the payroll
“At the end of the day, we want everyone to be healthy and safe, but we want to get back to work as quick as we can. I’ve been able to do some galloping but the financial strain is hitting everyone to some extent.”
—Alonso Rivera, quarter horse jockey in New Mexico, calling for live racing to be held in the state again
“While we have discussed the idea of staging games at one location as one potential option, we have not settled on that option or developed a detailed plan.”
—Major League Baseball, on one option for resuming play
“Some casinos won’t survive.”
—Clyde Barrow, professor, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, on the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic on Atlantic City’s casino industry
“We need to high-five people, even if it’s just our family in our homes.”
—Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, on the importance of resuming NBA play when it’s safe to do so
“We won’t necessarily want to be the first to open.”
—Bill Hornbuckle, acting CEO, MGM Resorts International, on the gaming industry’s eventual resumption of business in the U.S.
