“It’s a slayer of souls. It’s a slayer of families and ultimately of the community itself.”
—The Rev. George Szal, a leader of the opposition to the Mohegan Sun’s casino proposal for the city of Revere, whose voters overwhelming approved the casino last week
“We had a large group of people basically just working their butts off nonstop from the time we announced our agreement with Suffolk Downs until the time we sent that application in on Dec. 31, and it was an effort that goes beyond comprehension.”
—Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, praising the volunteers who helped bring about the yes vote in Revere, Massachusetts, supporting the Mohegan’s casino proposal there
“We have a vision for how economic development could continue to spur this area. We see the potential for a whole new entertainment district on the south side here.”
—Chad Barnhill, general manager of Horseshoe Baltimore, commenting that the casino, slated to open in the summer, could spur more economic development in its neighborhood
“People of faith could work in that industry and not be tainted or polluted. There is a moral issue associated with gambling, but there is also a social need within Baltimore.”
—Pastor Alvin C. Hathaway of Baltimore’s Union Baptist Church, defending his church’s participation in staging a job fair for under-construction Horseshoe Baltimore after criticism from other religious leaders
“People have a limited amount of money for gaming. Having a casino across the Wilson Bridge could change the game.”
—Virginia Lottery Director Paula Otto, expressing concerns that the MGM National Harbor casino resort slated to open in 2016 across the bridge from Virginia will siphon gaming dollars from the lottery
“I hope Rhode Island politicians realize that the state’s taxpayers cannot afford losing $100 million dollars or more if Massachusetts starts to open casinos. The taxpayers are not an infinite source of revenue.”
–George Viau, writing for the Providence Journal, calling for more casinos in Rhode Island
“The approval of the law would create an insurmountable level of unfair competition for land-based gaming companies which are heavily regulated and controlled by the autonomous communities to ensure a clean and safe environment for responsible gamblers. The proposed regulation is extremely lax, with no limits on gambling or rewards or advertising and promotions.”
—Alejandro Landaluce, director general of the Spanish Gaming Business Council saying the council opposes the legalization of online slots games in Spain
“Anybody can put together a booth, a hospitality suite and a gift bag. Show me the money.”
?John Ryder, Republican National Committee, on the bidding war among major U.S. cities to host the GOP convention in 2016
“Which city should the Republican National Committee choose for its presidential nominating convention in 2016? The American city that is all about the money. It’s going to be Las Vegas in 2016, baby. I’ll give you 2-to-1 on it.”
?Roger Simon, Politico.com. Simon called Vegas the frontrunner among cities vying for the including Dallas, Denver, Cleveland and Salt Lake City
“Financiers tend to forget that when it comes to big deals that are controversial, there are as many people lobbying to defeat a proponent behind the scenes as there are trying to get a proponent accepted. What may appear to be public resistance to some part of a casino project may very well be a sophisticated effort to defeat a bid, or that proponent, paid for by an interest group. If you want to make a deal for a casino in Toronto work, the private equity groups should ensure that they have solid people on the team with positive relationships with the provincial lottery corporation, the OLG and the provincial regulator.”
?Christine Duhaime, gaming attorney, on speculation about a new casino coming to Toronto, and the forces that could work to defeat it
“Nevada and Las Vegas are turning the corner. We expect 2014 to be a good year, with 2015 being an even better year. It’s not just gaming, the economy has been expanding over the last few years.”
?Christopher Thornberg, Beacon Economics, who says the recovery in the desert is not a mirage
“For us to pretend we’re taking care of the needs of our citizens is shortsighted. We don’t have the homeboys.”
?Elaine Wynn, at a symposium on women in the gaming industry, says corporate casino CEOs who are not locals don’t care as much about the community
“Here’s the experience of Buffalo and Niagara Falls: The Senecas act, the federal government is complicit, the local politicians generally salute, then the activists jump into the fray with lawyers gnawing away for years while the Seneca Gaming Corp. pulls the money in.”
?Artvoice Weekly, Buffalo, New York, in an article on a proposed fourth Seneca casino in the state, even though the tribe’s 2002 compact only allows for three casinos
“The battle to build a potentially lucrative $500 million casino resort amid the wooded hills and craggy economy of the Catskills has been a gentlemanly affair, with a half-dozen rivals gently competing for one, if not two state licenses for the region. But the comity is cracking under the threat of interlopers.
?New York Times, on proposals by the Cordish Companies and Penn National Gaming to develop casinos in Orange County, close to New York City
“I just think it’s very important for communities and localities to have a say where these proposed casinos go. Some communities are very adamant about wanting a casino in their backyard, and other feel like they’re being imposed upon. Everyone deserves a voice in the matter.”
?Didi Barrett, New York Assemblywoman, who has introduced legislation to give local communities a voice in the casino-siting process
“Yes, the economics of putting (a casino) in Orange County are very compelling. But it’s not going to happen because the legislative intent of the act is what its name says: the Upstate NY Gaming Economic Development Act. Orange is not upstate. And it already has one of the top tourist destination sites, Woodbury Common. There are already 10-mile traffic jams in Woodbury on Black Friday. Do you think they want more?”
?Michael Treanor, New York State developer, who wants to build a casino at the old Nevele resort in the Catskills
“Is Orange County upstate? That’s doubtful. If it’s to revitalize the upstate region, that’s what it should be. The legislation was written specifically to bring tourists upstate.”
?Scott Samuelson, Sullivan County, New York legislator, opposing plans to site a casino near New York City
“No matter what, the Strip is a big focus for the police department for obvious reasons. It’s a place we want people to feel safe to go. We understand this is the lifeblood of our community.”
?Jesse Roybal, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police, on several deadly shootings on the Strip. The homicides in 2013 didn’t have an impact on tourism
“Snapchat is a relatively new, yet rapidly growing social media platform, which I’m certain will play a huge role in the marketing mix of companies going forward. To be one of the first brands, and the first betting company, to make use of the platform is very exciting. It has huge potential for us as a business.”
—Mark Ody, brand director for Betfair on a recent test of the Snapchat app to social media users allowing bets on soccer matches at enhanced odds
“We’ve adapted one of the most social games in the casino and brought its liveliness into the mobile environment, retaining all the classic casino-style odds that attract high rollers and savvy shooters. Craps is a natural extension of the Big Fish Casino suite of products, which boasts an already high level of social interactivity and where more than 17+ million friend connections have been made to date.”
—Carey DiJulio, vice president and general manager of Big Fish Casino announcing the company’s newest free-to-play mobile game, a real-time social craps game
“Establishing a regulatory regime for online poker and online gaming in Illinois will result in an open and competitive licensed market which would be attractive to both local riverboat licensees and worldwide operators. It would also minimize unlicensed activities; generate significant tax revenue for the state government; and create new high tech jobs.”
—John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players testifying before the Senate Executive Committee of the Illinois State Assembly to support the licensing and regulation of online poker in the state
