“After the cold winter always follows sprin
—Lionel Leong, Macau secretary for Economy and Finance, on hopes for recovery in 2016
“This issue is about more than just dollars and cents; it is about the perception of a highly paid board, who are statutorily charged with protecting the public’s interest, being allowed preferential treatment. The issue is bad public policy plain and simple.”
—Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, in his audit of the state Gaming Control Board, in which he outlined what he called unnecessary spending and per-diem travel charges for board members crisscrossing the state
“I know there are people out there who read the report and feel that the actions that the state and I took are inappropriate, but I also believe that for all the reasons I stated in that report that those criticisms are unfounded and we move forward. If any of the companies that we’ve licensed, including Amaya, go astray, then we’ll deal with them accordingly.”
—David Rebuck, head of the New Jersey Division of Gambling Enforcement to gambling Insider on the DGE’s controversial licensing of Amaya Inc. owner PokerStars in the state online gambling industry
“My personal goal is to revitalize CNIGA. It’s our historic home base, our tribal campfire, the place we come to stay in tune with our industry, to debate and discuss legal and legislative issues, and to build consensus and resilience as we look to the future of tribal government gaming.”
—Steve Stallings, chairman of California Nations Indian Gaming Association (CNIGA) speaking at the 21st annual Western Indian Gaming Conference
“They are going to get personal. They are going to get political. We suspect they are going to get vicious.”
—Somerville, Massachusetts Mayor Joseph Curtatone, responding to attacks by Wynn Resorts after his city filed an appeal to an environmental permit for the Wynn Everett, an action Wynn claims could delay the casino a year
“It seems very unfair that in a state where we believe in freedom and fairness, that we would single out one group to have this opportunity and we would not allow others to have this opportunity.”
—Idaho Senator Patti Anna Lodge, arguing that a bill that would allow historical racing machines at the state’s racetracks should be given a fair hearing before the Senate
“Research shows gamblers are for the most part poor people who lose their money for a negligible chance to win. That can be easily countered by saying the security and regulation of all the casinos in the world are comparable to a small nuclear plant. It is possible to prevent … tragedies with simple technical measures, such as issuing betting permits only for those who possess proven incomes.”
—Yonatan Yavin, columnist, Ynetnews.com, on a plan to bring up to four casinos to the Israeli resort town of Eilat
“The preference for a certain game is dominated by junkets, not necessarily by the customer. I know a lot of gamblers that have a passion for slots.”
—Zhang Zheng, Macau junket operator, defending his decision to open a junket slot room. Junkets are usually known for baccarat play
“Zen was a good word. I am more comfortable. I am convinced that the government of Macau is doing everything in their power to make sure that the citizens of Macau and the employees who are citizens are protected and safe to the extent that they are able to contribute to that process.”
—Steve Wynn, sounding relaxed and happy on a four-quarter earnings call. It was a far cry from his anti-government tirade of 2015, in which he slammed Macau officials for their “outrageous” policy on table games
