“It is a shame that no one thought of asking for my resignation instead of such an underhanded move after the great number of years that I served on the board.”
—Gerald Katz, a founding member of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, after the nonprofit’s board voted to dismiss him near the end of a meeting after he had left early
“I want to take any appearance of unfair play off the table by codifying stringent rules. The casino project comes with unprecedented risks, and we owe it to the public to be as transparent and forthcoming as possible.”
—Springfield, Massachusetts City Council President Michael Fenton, after filing a city ordinance that would prevent a mayor or councilor from working for the MGM casino for at least five years after leaving city government
“Ten years ago, I was telling people that mass is going to take over. I was early by seven years with my prediction, but I think that’s coming true.”
?Lawrence Ho, co-chairman of Melco Crown, on the growing importance of mass-market players in Asia
“I think gamblers don’t realize what they’re doing until their entire wage is gone. Instead of taking multiple slots to reach that realization, now it’s only four or five hits for someone that’s on a pension.”
?Scott Warrington, Salvation Army Canberra, on the Australian capital’s decision to increase the limit that can be bet on poker machines
“We’ve been working with the clubs over the last few years to make sure we maintain a stringent harm-minimization approach, but also keep them competitive with NSW clubs. But the vast majority of people who go into clubs do so because they offer great entertainment, a safe environment and good hospitality.”
?Joy Burch, Canberra gaming minister, defending the decision to raise the poker machine limit from $20 to $50
“He shared with me how he would like to help us create a vibrant city with cranes in the sky putting people back to work. I shared with him all the exciting development projects and municipal service improvements the city has been initiating since I became mayor.”
—Donald Guardian, Atlantic City Mayor to the Press of Atlantic City after meeting with Florida developer Glenn Straub who is seeking to purchase and re-develop the closed Revel casino in Atlantic City
“When you deal with gaming there is a heightened and justified public scrutiny. We need to execute these agreements and see this project through with the highest of ethical standards.”
—Michael Fenton, president of the Springfield, Massachusetts city council, proposing an ordinance that would prevent city officials from going to work for a casino company for five years after they leave the city’s service
“The statute’s clear as to who gets the vote, and the host community gets the vote, and the surrounding community doesn’t, and the commission has concluded Boston is a surrounding community. I just don’t foresee any other action the commission can take.”
—James F. McHugh, member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, reacting to the lawsuit by Boston Mayor Martin Walsh challenging the commission’s decision last year to grant a casino license to Wynn’s Everett casino resort, and arguing that Boston’s Charlestown borough should get to vote on the matter
“The mayor of Boston should know where the city limits are. A former state rep like Marty Walsh should know that the Legislature makes the laws for the state, not the mayor of Boston.”
—Editorial, Milford Daily News, criticizing Boston Mayor Martin Walsh for suing to overturn the award by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission of a license to Wynn Resorts for its proposed Everett casino resort
“It is wrong to limit an economic opportunity as big as a casino license to just one struggling region while telling Newburgh residents simply to drop dead.”
—Christopher Eachus, Orange County, New York, legislator, reacting to news that the state’s Gaming Facility Location Board will pass over allowing the state’s fourth casino in his region, opting instead for the Southern Tier of New York State.
“The food is for the masses and that’s where the brands came into play. We wanted the best of the different categories… It’s exciting to be in Las Vegas to be with all these brands.”
—Gary Selesner, Caesars Palace president
“We think Las Vegas is one of the critical places to be. We’ve been very selective about getting into the Strip… All of our concepts are for the next generation of consumers.”
—Tom Ryan, Smashburger founder
“Gaming is recovering, but at a slower rate. It’s certainly not the glory days of the past.”
—Ferenc Szony, CEO of Truckee Gaming, speaking on gaming revenue in Reno
“This is big stuff. From meetings to conventions, Tesla, skiing. Every segment we pursue needs this service.”
—Chris Baum, CEO of the Reno-Sparks Convention & Visitors Authority on newly offered non-stop flights between Reno and New York
“The need for federal protection from terrorist attacks in terms of insurance liabilities is critical, because it could put a company out of business if an attack were launched on a casino.”
—Gary Thompson, Caesars Entertainment spokesman, on the recent passage of a bill authorizing terrorism insurance
