“The public has a right to know how much the poker machine industry is pouring into the Liberals’ campaign.”
—Andrew Wilkie, independent MP and Tasmanian anti-pokies campaigner, on allegations the gaming industry is topping up the Liberals’ war chest
“That shows that you can’t trust Labor. You don’t know what they stand for, you don’t know what you’ll get.”
—Will Hodgman, Liberal premier, on claims that Labor leader Rebecca White took “money under the table” from gaming interests
“It ends the convenient myth, long-pedaled by all sides of politics, that donations don’t buy influence.”
—Richard Eccleston, director, University of Tasmania Institute for the Study of Social Change, on the dustup about campaign contributions by gaming interests
“I felt that the prior property president couldn’t get the team to be at their best. That’s the reason why we made the management reshuffle.”
—Lawrence Ho, head of Melco Resorts & Entertainment, on a recent executive reshuffle at his properties in Macau
“ISIS has lost access to the vital oil and gas deposits and to the channels for their transportation and sales. In these conditions, [the Islamic State] has plunged into a frantic search for new sources of subsistence They’re refining their skills in the utilization of up-to-date technologies. For instance, accomplices of the terrorists steal the monies of innocent civilians through internet shops in one of the countries neighboring Syria. Caliphate fighters are not shying away from seeking revenue from online casinos.”
—Vasily Nebenzya, Russian ambassador to the U.N to the U.N. Security Council as translated by the Moscow Times
“Millennials make decisions based on how they view you ethically as a company.”
—Jan Jones Blackhurst, executive VP of government relations and corporate responsibility, Caesars Entertainment
“Clearly, when you’ve invested $3 billion, you can’t leave Macau. We are committed to Macau long-term.”
—Grant Bowie, CEO, MGM China, on the U.S. company’s plan to stay in the market
“Without him, it’s just another chain with no leader. Where do I come down? When there’s this much indecision, I have to take a pass.”
—Jim Cramer, Mad Money host, on the value of Wynn Resorts stock after the resignation of Steve Wynn
“They will have to relook at rebranding to something that sounds very similar to what it currently is—‘Win’ or ‘Winners,’ or maybe even ‘Wing Lei.’”
—Ben Lee, managing partner, IGamiX, on the chance the name of Wynn Resorts will be changed. “Wing Lei” is the Chinese pronunciation of the name
“It’s time to stop leaning on casinos and make Delaware’s budget stand on its own. The tax break doesn’t have to be huge… But some cut is necessary. Delaware has over-milked this cash cow, and if it doesn’t relent soon it could be in for a rude awakening.”
—Editorial in Delaware’s News Journal, calling on lawmakers to pass tax relief legislation to help the state’s struggling casinos
“This resort will need people who handle money and luggage; people who plan menus, prepare the food and serve it; people who buy advertising; and people who manage the payroll for all those jobs.”
—Toni Harp, mayor of New Haven, Connecticut, speaking for a proposed casino in Bridgeport by MGM International
“This proposal is just another attempt by MGM to wave snake oil in front of legislators, and it comes after a year of thoughtful deliberation in which legislators and advocates painstakingly describe the need to preserve existing casino jobs in eastern Connecticut.”
—Senator Tim Larson of Connecticut, criticizing a bill that would repeal the law authoring a third tribal casino in the state and open up bidding to commercial proposals
“A number of tribes are saying, ‘time’s up,’ and looking at pursuing affirmative litigation. That is probably what is going to happen. But it’s because we’re fed up.”
—Scott Crowell, tribal attorney, speculating that California’s tribes are poised to sue the state over enforcement of cardroom regulations
