“Thunder Valley jumped right on top of our air hose.”
?Ken Adams, Reno gaming analyst, on the impact of the California casino on the Northern Nevada market
“Reno right-sized.”
?Gary Carano, CEO, Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada, on the market that dwindled from $1 billion in 2006 to $727 million in 2012
“We went through our down cycle. It’s natural to expect there’d be an up cycle. It’s the way of the universe.”
?Carlton Geer, Global Gaming & Hospitality, owner of the Nugget in Sparks
“We based it on a South Beach Miami feel. If you’ve ever been to South Beach, there are daiquiris everywhere. So we have nine different daiquiri machines; plus we can make more in our blenders so you can combine any flavors you want.”
?Jeff Siri, owner, Siri’s Casino, is the former Primadonna, which just opened in Reno
“Solid job and real estate recoveries are at last in place, both of which will be mutually reinforcing and begin to return the job market to some semblance of health. The region is clearly moving in the right direction.”
?Mark Muro, think tank Brookings Mountain West, on a slow but steady recovery in Las Vegas
“The government is deficient for not having a conflict-of-interest statement prohibiting employment with a private-sector employer until after a cooling-off period, which should be greater than a year for gaming. The board of BCLC is deficient in absence of the regulation for not negotiating a mutually agreed to restrictive covenant with the departing CEO, at the time of hiring, covering time, geography and industry.”
?Richard Leblanc, professor of law, York University, Toronto, on former BC Lottery Corp. chief Michael Graydon, who immediately went from that job to president of PV Hospitality, a subsidiary of casino company Paragon Gaming
“It would result in the loss of upwards of 2,000 jobs and we’ve already pointed this out to the province.”
?Jim Diodati, mayor, Niagara Falls, Ontario, on a proposed Toronto casino that may end up on the ballot at election time
“I am in complete support of E-23. It could be a game-changer for the city of Albany in the way Global Foundries was a game-changer for Malta and the racino was a game-changer for Saratoga Springs.”
?Marlon Anderson, former Albany mayoral candidate, on “E-23,” a casino proposed for Exit 23 of the New York Thruway
“I am terribly disappointed that we have a governor whose centerpiece of economic development is casino gambling. We can do better than that. Whether I personally agree or disagree with casino gambling is not the issue. The issue is how are we going to help all businesses flourish in New Hampshire, not selected businesses in selected parts of the state.”
—Former defense industry executive Walt Havenstein, criticizing New Hampshire Governor Maggie Hasson, as he announces he will seek Republican nomination for her job
“So it is that the Pequot Tribe, which for most people hardly existed, runs one of the world’s largest casinos in Connecticut, while Maine’s tribes, which have unbroken traditions extending back to the beginning of recorded history, have been shut out.”
—Douglas Rooks, commenting on the Maine legislature’s failure to pass bills that would have allowed the state’s two Indian tribes to offer gaming
“The question for local residents isn’t about expanding entertainment opportunities in the region or appeasing a tribe that professes to have ties to Clark County. Instead, the crux of the issue revolves around the quality of life in the region and what is best for local residents and their communities.”
—Editorial, the Columbian, arguing against the casino proposed by the Cowlitz tribe for the Portland-Vancouver market in Clark County, Oregon
“This study is a sweetheart deal for Las Vegas. if you want your gaming money to go to places like the Bellagio and MGM — be my guest.”—Diane Russell, a Maine representative who voted last week against a bill that would authorize a study of the feasibility of gaming expansion in her state
“Instead of tired stereotypes, residents deserve facts about an industry that is proven to boost economies, attract visitors and provide extraordinary entertainment.”
—Geoff Freeman, president of the American Gaming Association, criticizing Massachusetts Attorney General candidate Maura Healey for supporting a referendum that would repeal the state’s gaming expansion law
“It’s not good for the workers at Revel, the community or the industry if a buyer overpays for this property. Overpaying could lead to an even more painful bankruptcy down the road.”
—UNITE HERE Local 54 research analyst Ben Begleiter, on release of a union report placing the value of the for-sale Revel Resort at a ridiculously low $25 million to $73 million, although it cost $2.4 billion to build
