“Maine’s share in the casinos’ take is whatever the casino operators decided it should be when they wrote their ballot question, and the industry also dictates how the money is divided.”
—Editorial, the Portland Press-Herald, commenting on a proposed initiative that would call for a casino in York County, Maine, the state’s third casino
“The state should also have put in place a fair, open, transparent and competitive process. That’s what other states do when they create a path to state-endorsed commercial casinos. But Connecticut didn’t do that.”
—Bernard Kavaler, spokesman for MGM Resorts, criticizing Connecticut for its law that allows its two gaming tribes to choose a site for a third satellite casino without allowing MGM to participate
“The goal is reasonable. The Legislature knows the demand is there. They know the play is happening. They also know California online poker players are currently sitting ducks, vulnerable to all manner of schemes to steal their money.”
—Steve Stallings, president of California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA), urging action by the legislature on a bill that would authorize online poker in the Golden State
“The government keeps pushing back against councils, who all want urgent action to deal with the scourge of these £100-a-spin machines. Despite promising to take a ‘proper look’ at them, the government has blocked a review, said no to the 93 councils, and handed Scotland very limited powers to deal with them. Scotland has said enough is enough, and called for them to be banned. Now councils in England and Wales are saying the same.”
—Campaign for Fairer Gambling, on the fight by local U.K. councils to stop the growth of FOBTs in their high street betting shops
“It is my hope that the casino will soon reopen so that it may begin generating much-needed revenues that supplement many essential programs and delivery of services for the people of Tinian.”
—Joey Patrick San Nicolas, mayor, Tinian Island, on the dubious fate of the Tinian Dynasty, which closed in September after a typhoon. The casino has filed for bankruptcy and has been plagued by labor issues and U.S. Justice Department corruption charges
“It’s a sight that would have been unimaginable a year ago: an abandoned room for high-end gamblers. There are no tables, no dealers and no players. Carpets have been rolled up, leaving a trash-covered concrete floor. A sign on the VIP room reads ‘Heng Sheng Group,’ one of Macau’s top junket operators, which shuttles Chinese high-rollers to exclusive gaming venues and finances their bets.”
—Bloomberg News, in a report on L’Arc, a satellite casino in Macau. An employee is under investigation for an alleged multimillion-dollar theft
“I think everyone would agree that the processes and procedures that are used to conduct these games, wherever they are, have been examined and the games are safe and secure everywhere.”
—Idaho Lottery Director and Multi-State Lottery Board President Jeff Anderson, responding to allegations that a former Midwest lottery executive rigged games in five states to personally cash in
“It will take some time for the courts to overcome the grandstanding by a few district attorneys, but once that happens, I think we will see a slow but sure availability of gambling across the country.”
—Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks, commenting to Fortune magazine that legalized sports betting in the U.S. is inevitable
