“Rather than fret because the Bay State can’t sell Megabucks tickets online, legislators like Flanagan should be asking why it sells them at all. Through its billion Massachusetts Lottery, state government enables compulsive gambling, preys on the desperate, and redistributes revenues from poor to rich.”
—Jeff Jacoby, writing for the Boston Globe, criticizing an idea to expand the Massachusetts lottery online
“We’re not an out-of-state venture coming in and building here and taking the money out of state. We’re here in Elk Grove. Our offices are here in downtown Elk Grove. That means the money stays here in Elk Grove and gets invested in our community.”
— Wilton Rancheria Chairman Raymond C. Hitchcock, explaining the hopes and dreams of his tribe to build a $400 million casino in Elk Grove, California
“The purpose of allowing casinos to come into Massachusetts was to reap a benefit for the whole state, not for one narrow, private industry.”
—Massachusetts state Senator James B. Eldridge, an opponent of the fund created by gaming revenues that helps subsidize the Bay State’s horseracing industry
“Since the law does not distinguish as to what constitutes aggregate gross earnings, the Philippine Amusement And Gaming Corporation lacks the authority to make any distinctions and must construe the words in its general sense consistent with the principle ‘Ubilex non-distinguish necnos distinguire debemos,’ or ‘Where the law does not distinguish, neither do we distinguish.’
—Philippine Commission on Audit, which found that gaming regulator PAGCOR underpaid the government by US$325.5 million over five years
“There must be a step-by-step application process and we have to do these procedures according to the needs of the business. I think when Wynn Palace opens we can make the official announcement. Wynn Macau’s dealers could choose to switch to Wynn Palace for work and be in priority. We might recruit externally only when necessary.”
—Linda Chen, COO, Wynn Macau, on an as-yet unknown number of gaming tables to be allotted to Wynn Palace, opening in August
“Israel is a dichotomy, because Israelis probably gamble more than many other cultures. Bulgaria, Romania, even Northern Cyprus are packed with Israelis who want to go and gamble. Even Vegas. There’s a complete demand for gambling.”
—Peter Marcus, CEO, Marcon Consulting, on the potential market for gaming in Israel, which now bans casinos
“Today’s announcement underscores our commitment to grow our presence in Vietnam, both by introducing more brands from our portfolio of 13 brands and by entering into new locations.”
—Guy Phillips, Hilton Worldwide, which will operate a hotel in Ho Chi Minh City in a casino complex
“We want to make sure that nothing is kept in the dark. Financial disclosures are very important. We want to know where the money is coming in from and we would like to know the breakdown. We need to know their end game.”
—Rep. Edward Propst, Saipan, who has demanded that casino lobbyists associated with Imperial Pacific’s Best Sunshine Casino be identified
