I am honored to have been quoted in a recent Politico article that delves into the challenges facing major casino operators in their bids for downstate New York casino licenses. The article specifically addresses how regulatory issues, including potential fines and investigations, could influence the selection process.

The story focuses on Resorts World Las Vegas, a casino owned by the same parent company as Resorts World NYC, which is currently vying for one of three available New York City-area casino licenses. The Nevada gaming regulators are investigating a possible money laundering scheme involving an interpreter and bookkeeper for famed LA Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani. This could potentially lead to significant fines for the Las Vegas operation.

During this high-stakes competition, even minor issues can have significant consequences. As I mentioned in the article, reputation is a critical factor in these applications:
“Reputation is always one of the most important factors, but it’s hard to pin down unless you have really egregious conduct by the actual applicants.”

It’s worth noting that other operators bidding for New York licenses have also faced scrutiny. For example, Wynn Resorts and MGM Resorts have both been subject to significant fines and investigations over the years. As I explained to Politico, these issues, even if happening across state lines or in different international markets, can still resonate and have repercussions in entirely separate jurisdictions:
“The problems in Macau come back to haunt you in New Jersey.”

The casino industry is not without its complexities, especially when large global entities with cross-country interests are involved. The article serves as a reminder of how critical it is for operators to maintain impeccable integrity throughout their operations, as every action can affect their opportunities in different regions.

You can read the full Politico article here: Politico Playbook PM.