“There’s a lawsuit, we have to figure out what to do with the lawsuit.”
—Marty Walsh, mayor of Boston, commenting on his meeting last week with representatives of Wynn Resorts, which is building a casino resort in Everett, something Walsh is trying to stop with a lawsuit
“The Springfield agency is doing its job doggedly well – at times, too well. Just being old does not make a structure historic, and certainly does not make it useful.”
—Editorial, the Republican, commenting on delays that the MGM Springfield in Springfield, Massachusetts has encountered because of, among other things, concern over historical buildings
“The issue of tribal sovereignty is being used as a phony way to say, ‘We’re for sovereignty,’ when in fact, they’re really just for the money behind this.”
— Maria Elena Durazo, vice president of civil rights and immigration for Unite Here, speaking against a bill that would remove tribal businesses from oversight by the National Labor Relations Board
“This issue is alive—very much so. We’re in the process of holding stakeholder meetings. Do we want to establish a framework for internet poker or do we want to do nothing? Those are the only two choices.”
—Assemblyman Adam Gray of California, sponsor of a bill that would legalize online poker in the Golden State, reacting to predictions that no vote will come on the bill this year
“If you look at most casinos, a lot of them are not making returns beyond the cost of their debt. The pie is getting smaller, and more companies are chasing that pie. You have so many casinos chasing the declining pool of consumer dollars.”
— Keith Foley senior vice president with Moody’s Investors Service discussing the gaming market
“If you think it odd that there’s expansion in the gambling industry while revenue and profits are down, you’re not alone. There are many people in the financial industry thinking the same.”
—Mike Kirby of the Sun Chronicle commenting on the possible saturation of the casino market in New England
“We’re about to make your life miserable for about four years.”
—Tracy Larkin-Thomason, Southern Nevada’s deputy director for the Nevada Department of Transportation, playfully explaining plans for the I-15 and U.S. Highway 95 interchange, set to begin early in 2016
“Casino operators are generally optimistic on the longer-term outlook as they believe new properties can stimulate incremental demand. That said, they are only expecting a slow-paced recovery as reduced reliance in VIP would mean a significantly lengthened ramp-up period for the new Cotai properties.”
—Nomura, Japanese brokerage firm, on the slow turnaround it expects for Macau
“The Japanese and Chinese feel they should be able to control their gambling. And Indian families feel they shouldn’t be doing it at all.”
—Dr. Lia Nower, director of the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University, on high rates of gaming addiction among the Japanese
“Japanese hate gambling but have an urge to do it. At the beginning, it felt good. Once they’re an addict, they can’t stop.”
—Timothy Fong, UCLA gambling studies department, on the accessibility of pachinko games in Japan
“Any way we can break down a barrier on a gaming experience and create a legalized, regulated environment it’s good for MGM.”
—Jim Murren, CEO, MGM Resorts International, giving his opinions on sports betting and online gaming, hoping they can reach federal legislation
“I give a lot of money away to charities and other things. I think I’m actually a very nice person.”
—Donald Trump, entrepreneur and presidential candidate, at his presidential campaign announcement, denouncing the common belief he’s anything but nice
“On the heels of a pretty historic legislature, it’s an opportunity to talk about what gaming does for the Nevada economy in terms of jobs and revenue generation, and the capital investment the industry continues to make.”
—Virginia Valentine, president, Nevada Resort Association, speaking about Governor Brian Sandoval signing into play a bill taxing companies while appropriating funds into education
“Rather than demanding increases in the state income and sales taxes and a new job-crushing energy tax on the natural gas industry, Governor Tom Wolf would be wise to work with the Republican leadership during budget negotiations to find ways to expand gaming revenue.”
—Columnist Charlie Gerow, writing in support of Pennsylvania iGaming and other expansion proposals on the PennLive website
“If any of the millions of people who have casino player’s cards thought there was the slightest chance the IRS would get full access to their wagering and spending histories, we’d bet they never would have signed up in the first place. In fact, many gamblers likely have cut up those cards already. Who wants to provide the IRS with even more personal information?”
—Editorial in the Las Vegas Review-Journal assailing the proposed use of player reward cards by the IRS to track casino winnings
