“Gary is a thought leader and a forerunner in our industry in many areas. More than that, he is a friend. Along with his colleagues throughout the industry, I extend our best wishes in his transition.”
—MGM Resorts International Chairman Jim Murren, on Gary Frissora’s appointment as CEO designee of rival Caesars Entertainment
“We originated non-gaming development. We built a meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry here. We built a 15,000-seat arena when no one else would. We put Macau on the map as a shopping destination.”
—Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson, recounting LVS accomplishments in Macau
“SJM does not oppose a full smoking ban. We think that casinos can still install smoking rooms, which is not in conflict with a smoking ban. It is just like the smoking rooms in the airports in Hong Kong and Macau, where a full smoking ban is in place. We are only respecting the habits of smokers and they would not affect non-smokers in a smoking room.”
?Ambrose So, CEO, SJM Holdings, trying to make a case for continued smoking in venues inside Macau’s casinos
“Talk about throwing gasoline on a raging inferno. Macau’s casino industry is challenged, and that’s an understatement. The market has had eight consecutive monthly gaming revenue declines. … So why not add to the misery?”
?Howard Stutz, Las Vegas Review-Journal, on a proposed full smoking ban at casinos in Macau
“The whole VIP market is at the top end maybe 1,500 players: the universe is not unlimited. We just have to get the right relationship management. It’s not very different from being a high-end private banker.”
?Matt Bekier, CEO, Echo Entertainment, on a spike in Chinese high-roller play at the company’s Australian casinos
“The high-rollers, which here in Macau are called VIPs, say they will stay low and will not be conspicuous in their spending habits until the witch-hunt?or whatever it is called, the crackdown on corruption levels?goes down. They want to stay below the visibility radar because nobody, whether they are legitimate business people making millions or billions of dollars, wants to come in and be ostentatious.”
?Sheldon Adelson, Las Vegas Sands Corp., asked about the eight-month decline in gross gaming revenue in Macau
“The era of big economic growth for the casino industry is over.
?Jack Chang Chak, vice president, Macau Economic Association
“The disappointing CNY revenue ahead and the potential junkets closure post-CNY (which in turn drag the VIP revenue as working capital pool may shrink) are potential negative catalysts ahead.”
?Kenneth Fong and Isis Wong, Credit Suisse analysts, who say GGR in Macau could drop 31 percent year over year for January and February
“This is a fight for the survival of Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods and our parimutuels. I don’t understand why there isn’t more urgency on this.”
—Jim Amann, lobbyist and former speaker of the Connecticut House, advocating a law to increase slot machines in the state, principally at off-track betting facilities, to protect revenues of existing Indian casinos threatened by Massachusetts
“West Ham United are a club with a rich history and passionate supporters and we’re thrilled to have secured this sponsorship at a time when the team are performing so well. The Barclays Premier League is the world’s most popular football competition and the sport is synonymous with excitement and betting, making it a perfect fit for our growing brand. We are looking forward to supporting the Hammers on the pitch and rewarding their fans off it with innovative Betway offers and special markets.”
—Bob Dutnall, Betway executive director announcing that Betway has become the main sponsor of the West Ham United Football Club replacing Alpari
“We try to attract small- to medium-sized convention and meeting groups, and all of the renovations and capital dollars will leave us as one of the better alternatives and options. It’s the key to Atlantic City’s future success—more mid-week business and conventions. It ties in perfectly with the soft period. Groups are looking for places to have their functions and this positions us well that in regard.”
—Tony Rodio, CEO of Tropicana Atlantic City to the Philadelphia Business Journal on the casino’s recently approved $35 million refurbishment
“We are going to be the one of the top five private employers in the history of the state of Massachusetts. We are going to employ thousands and thousands of people. It’s the largest construction budget in the recent history in Massachusetts, maybe forever.”
—Ian Coughlan, president of Wynn Resorts-Macau, talking about the Wynn Resort Everett resort’s impact on the Boston Metro economy once it is built
“Beginning with design and permit planning, robust pre-construction activity, and exciting organizational and development announcements, we will transition from concept to reality. MGM Springfield will come to life in the minds of the general public as observers witness progress on and off site, moving this regional game changer forward.”
—Michael Mathis, president and chief operating officer of MGM Springfield in Massachusetts, which will break ground later this spring
“We’re excited about entering the Northern Nevada gaming market”
—Art Manteris, Station Casinos vice president of race and sports operations, speaking on Station Casinos taking over the sports book of Baldini’s Casino in Sparks, Nevada
“I’m extremely concerned that the data could be penetrated and stolen. The last thing I want to happen on my watch is for that to happen.”
—A.G. Burnett, Nevada Gaming Control Board chairman, on one of the reasons he formed a cybercrimes division for the board
“It’s amazing, like having a baby. First, you’re shocked and awed to find out. And then, it’s going to change your life.”
—Bill Rieber, Town of Thompson Supervisor, as he stood watching land clearing begin for the $1.1 billion Montreign Resort Casino
“The building is finally down.”
—Lorenzo Doumani, Clarion Hotel-Casino site owner, after several hours of taking down a stubborn elevator shaft in the Clarion implosion
“I’ve worked in challenged markets. This is an exciting business opportunity to take on these assets and see what can be done.”
—Michael Silberling, CEO of Affinity Gaming, thrilled to be working with a smaller operation than he has in the past
