“This is not a money issue with me. This is a moral issue. When I started to imagine what would happen with legalized internet gaming, it scared the heck out of me, because of what’s it’s going to do to our society.”
—Sheldon Adelson, Sands CEO, to Politico on his fight to ban online gaming
“We are 20 years into this business. The market has changed. What we also have to do is change, in terms of our marketing strategy. We’re an entertainment destination.”
—Louise Cornelius, general manager of gaming operations for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, urging tribal casinos in Wisconsin to battle flat results by adding non-gaming amenities
“Our food product has gone from zero to hero. The quickest way to a guest’s heart is through their stomach.”
—Boomtown Reno CEO Dean DiLullo, attributing much of the success of the property since he took over in 2012 to improvements in the food-and-beverage area
“Instead of having honest debate about tax revenue and economic development, we’re just going to allow these charlatans to open up casinos not just in our communities, but in every living room, every office, every door room in the state. We need to stop the bleeding.”
— John Riberio, chairman of Repeal the Casino Deal, an anti-gaming group in Massachusetts, reacting to talk of legalizing online gaming in the Bay State
“We’re just at the early stages of trying to understand how this actually works, and given that you can organize businesses inside the commonwealth, within the country, and internationally and set them up online – so we need to figure out how that all works.”
—State Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg of Massachusetts, commenting on the likelihood of online gaming being legalized in the Bay State
“Make no mistake: Online gaming is here to stay. The government cannot put the Internet back in the bottle.”
—Geoff Freeman of the American Gaming Association, testifying before a House subcommittee recently on the legalization of internet gaming
“Throw a dart at the globe. Poker is universally loved. It’s a great game. Many people from many different cultures love it. I therefore see potential in Asia, Europe, and places such as Australia. But of course, each country must make its own decisions about what to allow.”
?A.G. Burnett, chairman, Nevada Gaming Commission, asked where online gaming will grow the most
“It’s just like with any project you do, everyone’s not going to be happy, but the potential economic impacts cannot be ignored; they’re too great and they can do a lot for this economy and affect a lot of lives in a positive way as far as employment. What is the greater good of the public? What is the greater good of our constituents here in Montgomery and Fulton counties? What’s the greater good for the overall health of the economy? We think this is too big of an opportunity to pass up.”
?Eric Mead, supervisor, Florida, New York, a supporter of a casino being built in Montgomery County
“The referendum passed and it was like we finally won one, and now you’re going to take it away from us? For us, this is personal. I mean, when was the last time someone actually chose us?”
?Jacquie Leventoff, ex-Sullivan County Chamber president, on Orange County’s bid for a casino license
“The food was terrible, no waiters, no help?our experience was pretty sad. It’s dirty, it’s dangerous, it’s just really not good.”
?Len Riggio, New York horseman, on a recent visit to Aqueduct. He called the track “an eyesore”
“Our new vision for the Jamul gaming project embodies a smaller, high-quality facility that is respectful of our neighbors, our environment as well as the culture of the Jamul Indian Village. We hope our neighbors will recognize and share our vision.”
—Raymond Hunter, a member of the Kumeyaay Nation and a supporter of the controversial $360 million Jamul Indian Village casino in east San Diego County, California, which has been downsized to meet some criticisms
“The legislature enabled casino gambling for two reasons: to create jobs and stuff its coffers with newfound gambling money. When the commission votes, the numbers should come first, and things like the ‘wow’ factor and fascinating but unsubstantiated economic stimulus proposals like Cordish’s shouldn’t sway the decision.”
—Editorial, the Republican, advising the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on how it should award the license in the Boston Metro zone whose rivals are Steve Wynn and the Mohegan tribe—
“Time and time again we have been told now is not the time, that we must develop a better plan or work more closely with local communities. At the same time, the state has granted licenses to two gaming facilities. We only ask that we be given the same opportunity.”
— Rep. Madonna Soctomah, non-voting member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe in the Maine legislature, arguing in favor of a bill that would allow her tribe to build a casino in the state
