“Since you can’t stop Chinese people from gambling, it is a better solution to make sure that foreign or private capital do not overly profit from it.”
—Pei Guangyi, Hainan University School of Economics and Management, who says China should legalize gaming to keep the business at home
“Of course I am sad. Now the government is closing the Canidrome, where can we, the Macau people entertain ourselves?”
—Ao Ieong, fan of greyhound racing, on the imminent closure of the Macau Canindrome dog track
“We’ve known forever that this region has such a raw talent and raw beauty and have always said it will be discovered. Maybe this is the beginning. China is probably the stronger investor at this point.”
—Pat O’Driscoll, Queensland, Australia real estate developer, on the state’s hopes for Chinese investment in hospitality projects
“The biggest challenge is the entrance fee. People who aren’t crazy about gambling will become hesitant to go.”
—Unnamed casino executive, on Japan’s proposed 6,000 yen (US$56) casino entrance fee
“It will be ugly, and costly, and hard. But the Gaming Commission must do it. Or else concede that its high standards no longer apply once shovels hit the ground.”
—Yvonne Abraham, of the Boston Globe, urging the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to pull the license for Wynn Boston Harbor under construction in Everett
“Where are we going with the lottery? Where are we going with casinos? It’s my hope that we’ll have some discussions in a bipartisan way to have a gambling council. What are we doing as a comprehensive strategy for gambling in the state of Connecticut?’’
— Joe Aresimowicz, Connecticut Speaker of the House, calling for a unified approach to gaming in the state
“We have a new administration that has a different set of Indian policy that is challenging. They don’t believe in the policies that were put in place under Obama, and so they are looking to change all the regs and policies for trust lands for tribes.”
—Cedric Cromwell, chairman of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe, comparing attitudes towards tribal land into trust applications by the Trump administration compared to the Obama administration
“Tourism means more to Southern Nevada than entertainment means to Los Angeles, than aerospace means to Seattle or auto manufacturing means to Detroit. That is usually by a relatively wide margin.”
—Applied Analysis Principal Jeremy Aguero, presenting an economic benefit report to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority showing $58.8 billion in total 2017 spending tied to tourism
“The early market might not be what we have envisioned.”
—Jay Defibaugh, CLSA analyst, on entrance fees and other measures that may limit the profitability of Japan casinos
“The Indian customer is similar to the Chinese customer in Macau. They want the best, they want to be treated well and at Tiger Palace we’re able to offer that in terms of top-notch service and facilities.”
—Brett Model, general manager of the new Tiger Palace resort in Bhairahawa, Nepal
“This should boost Macau visitations, initially from Hong Kong and eventually also from China, as the bridge connects the Hong Kong airport to Macau in a 30-minute journey. This is positive not only for mass gaming but also for retail and hotels.”
—Karen Tang, Deutsche Bank, on the value of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge to the Chinese territory
