“There is a clause in casino employees’ contracts that requires us to work shifts, which excludes us from receiving a night shift allowance. This means that the six gaming operators are treating their employees worse than the small- and medium-sized businesses do their workers.”
—Cloee Chao, director, Professionals for Gaming of New Macau, arguing for better conditions for casino workers under the amended Labour Relations Law, now under review by the public
“We just upgraded the whole group.”
—Steve Wynn, in a video tribute to philanthropist Melvin B. Wolzinger, a former board member for Wynn’s Mirage Resorts, on Wolzinger’s induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame
“He was a breath of fresh air at IGT.”
—Retired IGT Chairman Chuck Mathewson, in a video tribute to game designer Joe Kaminkow on Kaminkow’s induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame
“We had many opportunities go into Las Vegas, but every time, we shied away from that. The greatest development opportunities for years to come will be in Asia.”
—Lawrence Ho, chairman and CEO, Melco Resorts & Entertainment, who has set his cap for a Japan integrated resort license
“For many years while drug and alcohol addictions were being researched and funded in terms of treatment, the issue of gambling wasn’t taught at medical school. Even as an addictions psychiatrist, we weren’t taught about pathological gambling. I came across it by chance.”
—Henrietta Bowden-Jones, consultant psychiatrist at the UK National Problem Gambling Clinic to the Guardian newspaper on gambling problems being a hidden addiction
“Jeju Island is like the back garden of South Korea. We hope to introduce the best business partners to jointly offer a world-class integrated resort in Jeju.”
—Yang Zhihui, chairman, Landing International, talking up the potential of Jeju Shinhwa World—despite Beijing’s ban on Chinese travel to South Korea
“Just like Jeju, it also has a strong domestic market, people have the propensity to spend, but the product is not good. There’s a gap for us to fill.”
—Jay Lee, chief operating officer, Landing International Development, on the company’s plan to infiltrate the Philippines resort market
“We will fight—we will always fight—to defend our land.”
—Geoffrey Standing Bear, chief of the Osage Nation, declaring his tribe will not give up on its use of water rights for its casino that the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office claims it does not have
“This bill enhances current law to ensure tribes have the tools to combat crime and keep their citizens safe and secure. It also increases coordination between our tribal, federal and state law enforcement officials, so that we can more effectively improve safety in tribal areas and surrounding communities.”
—John Hoeven, U.S. senator from North Dakota, defending his bill, which he says would combat human trafficking at Indian reservations
“The success of the Indian gaming industry is due in large part to the expertise tribes have developed in running and regulating their operations. The commission believes any potential legislation related to gaming must include tribes and provide a level playing field of opportunity for Indian Country.”
—Jonodev Chaudhuri, chairman of the National Indian Gaming Commission, speaking before the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee
