“Taking advantage of Japan at difficult times like this and trying to negotiate the interest of a specific company deviates from America’s traditional attitude.”
—Kazuhiro Maeshima, Tokyo professor of international relations, on talk that U.S. President Donald Trump asked Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to give his pal and political donor Sheldon Adelson a casino license
“Macau’s internal affairs are a domestic matter for China: foreign countries have no right to interfere in China’s domestic affairs.”
—Statement from the MSAR in response to a U.S. report alleging that Macau denies entry to political figures and writers
“I would like to clarify that the governor has allowed me to my job, to do it right and to vet the process. There’s a lot of information out in the community about the Bloomberg article and about the alleged conspiracies going on between the administration and IPI.”
—Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo, Saipan public lands secretary, on about Imperial Pacific International’s possible takeover of the Marianas Resort. A Bloomberg story questioned the deal in light of problems with IPI’s own casino
“What’s their excuse going to be now? Do we honestly believe that IPI is going to complete the casino hotel by their construction deadline in 2021 after laying off hundreds of skilled workers?”
—Edwin Propst, Saipan lawmaker, on news that Imperial Pacific International, which just got a two-and-a-half-year extension to complete its casino project, has laid off 80 construction workers
“IPI is too big to fail given its contribution to CNMI’s budget and public officials’ invested political capital.”
—Forbes, in an article about the struggling Imperial Pacific Resort on Saipan, in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
“It is very likely that the eSports stadium will become one of the key components of our integrated resort in Japan. Since the gaming area accounts only for 3 percent of the total area, entertainment becomes very important.”
—Geoffrey Davis, CFO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on high-tech sports offerings the company plans if it wins a Japan IR license
“Parts of the brain associated with cognitive functions and motivation are likely to increase activity when playing mahjong, pachinko, casino games, etc. It may help maintain the elderly’s motivation if incorporated into their rehabilitation.”
—Kikunori Shinohara, professor, Suwa University of Science, on the rationale behind casino-style games at adult day care centers
“There are some discussions on the internet about opening casinos, engaging in lotteries, allowing horse racing or going the route of capitalism and allowing full-scale private ownership. These are all divorced from the national condition and reality, and they will never be allowed.”
—Liu Cigui, Hainan Communist Party, squelching speculation that the central government will permit gaming on the Chinese island to boost tourism
“It’s painful for me to see such an iconic, bedrock industry falling into decline. If you’re going to save an iconic opportunity, something that’s deep in our culture in Idaho, you’ve got to save the horse industry.”
— C.L. “Butch” Otter, Idaho governor, endorsing Proposition 1, which would legalize historical horse racing machines at the state’s racetracks
“Look, it’s not the future of the state, but it’s not something I’m going to stand in the way of. They’re gambling everyday online, it’s a new world, it’s an Internet-based world right now, so is Connecticut going to play in the world or not? I think we are.”
—Ned Lamont, Democrat nominee for governor of Connecticut, responding to a query about online gaming in the state
“It’s just mind-boggling. The sheer volume and the size of these transactions on a regular basis in casinos is just astounding.”
—David Eby, attorney general of British Columbia, remarking on the scope of money laundering that has been conducted for years in BC casinos
“The future of Indian gaming is not yet written and policy-makers would do well to build on the self-determination principles that have powered the successes of the last 30 years.”
—Jonodev Osceola Chaudhuri, chairman of National Indian Gaming Commission, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act
“The industry is fully supporting the event and each of the five sectors has pledged support through their trade associations. They have all made commitments to ensure we raise awareness of the week. Anyone who gambles during Responsible Gambling Week, whether online or in a physical venue, should know about the event. The industry is doing everything it can to make the event a success by speaking with one voice, sharing common messaging. The title of the campaign is ‘Let’s Talk About Responsible Gambling’ and the objective is to raise awareness of responsible gambling tools.”
—John Hagen, Chairman of the UK Industry Group for Responsible Gambling in a column for SBC News on the UK’s Responsible Gaming Week November 1-7
