“It’s very important that you don’t get caught up in the very short-term myopia that your professions demand in many respects. It’s the big things that determine the long-range viability of these places.”
—Steve Wynn, on the revenue shortfall TK
“We are not anti-foreigners coming to the Philippines to gamble, but we are anti criminal activity. They’re free to come and enjoy the Philippines, but they’re not free to commit crimes.”
—General Ronald Dela Rosa, Philippines National Police Director, on a rash of kidnappings in the country, some of which took place at casinos
“Salarymen go to the pachinko parlor to kill time while waiting for the train at lunchtime. Housewives go there for thrills and try to earn some extra spending money.”
—Takumi Okuda, salesman and pachinko player, on the appeal of the games for the Japanese
“You’re in a country that doesn’t allow gaming and you’re promoting it. Sometimes you get away with it and sometimes you don’t—unfortunately they got caught. It could have been much worse. China kind of gave them a slap on the wrist. It’s been a warning to everybody: ‘Be cautious, keep your gaming in Macau, and we won’t bother you.’”
—Allan Zeman, vice chairman, Wynn Macau, who says Crown Resorts can blame itself for the 2016 arrests of 19 employees in Mainland China
“The truth is that addicts are never completely cured. The percentage of gambling addicts may seem to be decreasing, but the number of potential addicts may increase, contrary to studies. I can’t be optimistic. I believe crime rates will rise and social security will worsen with a casino in Japan.”
—Sachio Ooishi, recovering pachinko addict, on compulsive gambling among the Japanese
“We know the high-rollers. We will contact the high-rollers and put them on notice. If they hear this story, they will shake their heads in disgrace.”
—Troy Gray, Electrical Trades Union, who says unionists in a labor dispute with Crown Resorts will inform VIPs the workers are being shut out, and also inform companies of “the disgusting immoral behavior”
“I’ve sat and watched others who put money on a boxer or a team or a point spread or a horse—and watched how alive they look as the game or race or battle ensues. Why should any governing authority put the kibosh on that? Why should it babysit Americans who want to get a bigger thrill out of sports?”
—Sports columnist Gordon Monsonof the Salt Lake Tribune, in support of an end to the U.S. federal ban on sports betting
“We’ve had conversations with the tribe on all available options. They’re continuing to explore all options with the federal Bureau of Indian Affairs — and the possibility of a commercial license.”
—Tom Hoye, mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts, speculating that the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe might seek a commercial license for Taunton, and give up trying to put land there into trust for an Indian casino
“I doubt they would be successful. But I don’t begrudge them the chance to try.”
—Michelle Littlefield, who opposes the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s Indian casino in Taunton, commenting on them possibly operating a commercial casino there
“The commission’s recommendation to hold off on legalizing online poker and online casino games is a bit disheartening. However, if the legislature follows the commission’s advice and develops a broad category of online gaming, including DFS, the legalization of other forms of online gambling becomes a matter of when, not if.”
—Steve Ruddick of Online Poker Report, commenting on the Massachusetts Special Commission on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports Gaming and Daily Fantasy Sports report to the legislature
“We know this is worth fighting for, it’s worth protecting. Quite frankly, it’s worth keeping Connecticut dollars being spent in Connecticut as opposed to going up 91 and being spent someplace else.”
—Dannel P. Malloy, governor of Connecticut, upon signing legislation allowing the state’s gaming tribes to operate a third casino near the border with Massachusetts
“Building this casino will allow Connecticut to remain competitive in the gaming market, protect both direct and indirect gaming jobs, create new jobs, and protect state revenue.”
—Andrea Goodrich, a member of UAW Local 2121 in Connecticut, supporting a newly signed law that allows a third tribal casino in the state
