“I think that market has yet to open up properly. I would hope we could do more there, it’s a question of legislation and opportunity. There is a lot of appetite to do more if the right thing comes up at the right price.”
—Breon Corcoran, CEO of Paddy Power during a media call on the bookmaker’s hopes to expand further into the U.S. online market
“Likely voters in Connecticut are speaking with one voice, loudly and clearly, for an open, competitive process to select a developer for the state’s first commercial casino. That’s unequivocally the bill they want the legislature to pass.”
—Uri Clinton, spokesman for MGM, citing a poll that 71 percent of Connecticut voters support a competitive process for a third casino, as opposed to 21 percent supporting giving the state’s two gaming tribes the right to develop a casino
“MGM’s bill would end the current revenue-sharing agreement and blow a deeper hole in state finances. We simply can’t go down a path that only worsens the state’s fiscal and employment outlook.”
—Andrew Doba, spokesman for MMCT, the gaming venture of Connecticut’s two casino tribes, arguing against allowing commercial interests to bid for a third casino in the state
“There may be standing issues for MGM to challenge. I see problems with due process. In particular, I see equal protection issues … I don’t know how we can justify a specific benefit just to two tribes outside tribal lands.”
—State Senator John Kissel, speaking against a bill that would allow Connecticut’s gaming tribes, the Pequots and Mohegans an exclusive right to operate a third, satellite casino in the state
“The anti-corruption campaign has seen a moderation in the last few months and there’s also an element of fatigue. High net-worth individuals are sitting back and thinking that ‘If I haven’t been affected by now, then I’m probably OK.’”
—Vitaly Umansky, analyst, Sanford Bernstein, on the return of the VIP segment in Macau
“The central government has made it clear to us that they don’t want to see gaming revenue shooting up. They want diversification.”
—Francis Lui, vice chairman, Galaxy Entertainment Group, speaking at G2E Asia about Macau’s sustained economic recovery
“Quitting is easier said than done, but I will probably stop because now there will be fines and penalties.”
—Jobell Lisana, Filipino office worker, on how he will handle Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s new ban on smoking in public places
“Foreign players have multiplied and they’re mostly Chinese. There are times you need to wait to get a seat at the tables. And when there’s a thick crowd, it’s not rare that you’re playing with a Chinese tourist.”
—Fernando, a Filipino gambler, on the abundance of Chinese players at City of Dreams Manila
“It’s a brilliant model which I’d like to say I created.We could be sponsoring particular athletes and in return, the athletes who are sports best ambassadors are out and about in schools and in communities.”
—Greg Hunt, Australian sports minister, on a plan to initiate a national lottery to pay for professional sports training
