“If this bill passes as is, you’re going to hear crickets, because no casino is going to buy a license.”
—Eric Schippers, spokesman for Penn National Gaming, on the bill passed by the Pennsylvania Senate that would impose a 54 percent tax on online casino games, now before the state House
“Closing America’s trade deficit without boosting international travel to the U.S. is impossible, making Brand USA critical in achieving the administration’s economic goals. Policymakers committed to improving our trade balance should stay committed to Brand USA.”
—MGM Resorts International Chairman and CEO Jim Murren, in an opinion piece published by CNN.com, on President Donald Trump’s proposed elimination of the Brand USA tourism promotion program in his budget
“When you read the law, it’s clear that it’s legal already. What I was trying to do with my legislation was make it crystal clear. I was disappointed the Senate did not agree but speaking of sports, as Yogi Berra said—‘it ain’t over till it’s over’—and ain’t over yet, I think. We’ll see what the governor says.”
—Richard Peña Raymond, Texas state representative to the Texas Tribune on the state’s Legislature failing to act on his DFS bill before ending its legislative session
“Only when online gambling is legalized can the state achieve a number of goals: protecting players, combating gambling addiction and preventing the manipulation of sports. This is exactly where the current legislation fails, along so many lines.”
—Justus Haucap, Dusseldorf Institute for Competition Economics, on Germany’s Interstate Treaty on Gambling. A report co-authored by Haucap says the country has failed to funnel most players to legal, regulated gaming
“Right now, VIP is driving the big headline numbers of the recovery. The challenge for Macau is not to lose sight of longer term opportunities and issues ahead in the blinding light of VIP revenue.”
—Muhammad Cohen, Forbes, on the impact of Wynn’s Cotai debut on Macau’s VIP resurgence
“We are doing our very best to inform the families of the victims. We are extending all forms of assistance to the affected next of kin. We are one in mourning with the families of those affected by this tragedy.”
—Resorts World Manila, in a statement following the June 2 attack by an armed disgruntled player that resulted in the deaths of 37 people
“The places where the 37 died—the comfort room and high rollers’ room—if they went straight ahead just about a meter from there and opened the door, they would have found the exit.”
—Vitaliano Aguirre II, Philippine Justice Secretary, on the tragic casino attack and fire in which dozens of patrons and employees died of smoke inhalation
“As of now, I don’t see any effect on the gaming industry.”
—Andrea Domingo, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., who sees no drop in gaming after an attack on Resorts World Manila that led to 37 deaths
“We didn’t give it enough quality suites to compete for premium mass customers. The property could and should be a lot stronger. “It’s an asset that can grow but we need to rethink it.”
—Rob Goldstein, president and COO, Las Vegas Sands Corp., on the lack of premium suites at the new Parisian Macao
“It’s been two-and-a-half years of being very stressed and fearful. So people are starting to let loose now in China.”
—Lawrence Ho, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on pent-up demand for gaming in Macau
“This is probably the first time the tribes have had the opportunity to have a place in the marketplace. That gets you invited to the Chamber of Commerce banquet. That gets you involved with the Rotary luncheon. That gets you involved and it gets you invited and it gets you on boards . . .”
—Donald Ivy, chief of the Coquille Indian Tribe in Oregon on the effect of Indian gaming on tribes
“Who would have thought in 2011, when we had a dream of building our first hotel tower, who would have thought that today, in 2017, we would be gathered together once more for our third topping off ceremony.”
—Robert Welch, Jr., tribal chairman of the Viejas tribe of Southern California, remarking on the “topping off” of a five-story suites-only hotel at the Viejas Casino & Resort
“Then give that agency really clear parameters of protection, what needs to be attended to for all these new gambling processes online, give them the ability to regulate and with the nimbleness and speed that is required.”
—Stephen Crosby, Massachusetts Gaming Commission chairman, calling for an omnibus approach to regulating online gaming, with one regulatory body
