“As proposals for legalizing online casino gambling in Pennsylvania lurch from one bad idea to another, one thing becomes apparent: Legislators need a better sense of the business and attraction of gambling.”
—Columnist Mark Gruetze of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, commenting that Pennsylvania Senate proposals such as a 54 percent tax of online gaming and oversight of iGaming by the lottery betray a lack of understanding of the industry by senators
“It is with great pride that I look back over the past decade and recognize all that we have achieved in partnership with Crown Resorts at Melco. This transaction brings to conclusion the world’s most successful global gaming partnership. I would like to personally offer my sincere thanks to Mr. James Packer and Crown Resorts for being a great friend and partner for the past decade.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on the dissolution of his partnership with Crown Resorts and its leader, James Packer
“I am here to experience the development and achievements of Macau and the joy of its citizens. Macau’s economic development has gone through an enormous change since its handover. The livelihood of the people has seen obvious improvement with booming opportunities everywhere.”
—Zhang Dejiang, China’s third highest ranking official, affirming the country’s commitment to seeing a more diverse economy in Macau
“The government has anointed mass market as the future of Macau, and we would expect at least some level of support going forward to ensure mass continues to be the direction. Around 10 percent average annual growth feels realistic at this point.”
—Grant Govertsen, Union Gaming, on the future of Macau
“If our casinos were to replace a glass that’s broken, it will take ages compared to what Okada and Solaire can do. It’s better for the government to move out of casino operations.”
—Carlos Dominguez, Philippines finance secretary, on plans for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to sell state-run casinos
“‘Trump protégé’ makes for a good story.”
—Mark Brown, ex-Trump Resorts exec and Best Sunshine CEO, on headlines about Imperial Pacific’s Saipan casino troubles that always mention Trump
“The fear was that if you open this Pandora’s Box of Brexit, who knows what it’ll look like.”
—Phill Brear, Gibraltar gaming commissioner, on the possible negative outcome for the gaming industry as the UK exits the European Union
“They tricked us to come here.”
—Han Dong, construction worker, who says he was duped into working on the Imperial Pacific resort casino on Saipan
“I think casinos are on the table,” Aresimowicz said. “I really think it will work its way out through the budget process. I think the casino itself will be part of the budget solution. … I won’t take it off the table.”
—House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz of the Connecticut legislature, on the possibility that the legislature will authorize a third casino in the state
“Given the financial challenges that the state is facing there is no other bill that gives certainty to the state of Connecticut with the jobs and revenue that we are preserving with this bill.”
—Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council, supporting a bill that would authorize a third, satellite casino in Connecticut
“In order to satisfy a return of guests, we need to constantly surprise them. And that means they just can’t come back to something that looks the same and feels the same time and time again.”
—Bill Walshe, chief executive officer of Viceroy Hotel Group on the challenges of the rapidly evolving hospitality industry
