“It’s time to reconsider that national ban.”
—Tim Murphy, former FBI deputy director, head of the Canadian Illegal Gambling Advisory Board (IGAB), calling for an end to the federal ban on single sports betting
“Those who understand what is at risk, and the benefits that could exist by implementing regulation, are frustrated and dissatisfied by the vote. The scales of justice are badly misaligned where this issue is concerned, and I remain baffled that the Government of Canada can’t recognize it too.”
—Bill Rutsey, president of the Canadian Gaming Association (CGA) criticizing the Canadian House of Commons for voting down a bill to repeal the ban on sports betting
“McCain seems to think the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is ripe for the picking, But it’s not.”
—Celeste Ribeiro Myers, a resident of East Boston, and a leader of those opposing Question 1, proposed by developer Eugene McCain, which would authorize a slots parlor in neighboring Revere
“When it comes to saving Connecticut jobs and revenue, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan tribes only have one chance to get things right. That’s why we have reopened our search for proposals.”
—Kevin Brown, and Rodney Butler, chairmen of the Mohegan and Pequot tribes of Connecticut, explaining why they have extended the period for bidders to host the third tribal casino
“If you know something that needs to be revealed, tell us, and with parliamentary privilege, we can tell everyone. For too long, this predatory industry has relied on secret and harmful features, which are designed to be addictive.”
—Nick Xenophon, Australian MP, who is asking whistleblowers to reveal deceptive practices of the gaming industry through his “Pokie-Leaks” campaign
“The poker machine industry is fundamentally exploitative and very careful to try and keep its methods secret. Pokie-Leaks will establish a valuable mechanism for industry insiders and members of the public to tell us what they know.”
—Andrew Wilkie, Australian MP, who also encourages insiders to blow the lid off the poker industry
“This is a typical Nick Xenophon-and-friends publicity stunt. Sadly, it shows yet again how little regard is held by some politicians for the serious business of governing our nation.”
—Spokesman, Clubs NSW spokesman, dismissing Senator Nick Xenophon’s “Pokie-Leaks” whistleblower campaign as a distraction
“While there were few surprises at Wynn Palace and its non-gaming amenities were a disappointment, the property stands out to us as Macau’s highest-quality product offering.”
—Aaron Fischer, CSLA analyst, in a “damning-with-faint-praise” endorsement of the new $4.2 billion Wynn Palace in Macau
“Poker is a classic example where the sharks—being the veteran players—usually lie in wait for the novices who enter the game and end up paying for their ‘education.’ Poker is now dying out in Las Vegas, and not only that, casinos make very little if any money out of these types of games.”
—Ben Lee, managing partner, IGamiX, on one disadvantage of skill-based games
