Casino Mogul Steve Wynn Under Fire for Comments on Less Fortunate

Casino developer Steve Wynn is under fire for comments he recently made about the less fortunate.

According to CNBC, Wynn was addressing investors Wednesday night by comparing his company to a high-luxury brand that appeals to the wealthy.

He went on to reportedly say, "Or to put it in a more colloquial way, rich people only like being around rich people. Nobody likes being around poor people, especially poor people."

A spokesman for Wynn issued a statement Friday saying that, "Mr. Wynn's comment was made in the context of a discussion that the company creates luxurious resorts which have an aspirational appeal to a broad range of guests."

Wynn made the comments in reference to the atmosphere he is seeking at his planned s$2 billion casino in Everett, Massachusetts, which he now refers to as "Wynn Boston Harbor."

During an investors meeting, Wynn led into his comments about poor people by saying, "This company caters to the top-end of the gaming world. We're sort of a Chanel, Louis Vuitton to use the comparison the metaphor of the retail business. But unlike Chanel and Louis Vuitton, we are able in our business to cater to all of the market by making our standard so high that everybody wants to in the building."

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria defended Wynn's comments, saying that's just how he is and that you have to take what he says with a grain of salt. But DeMaria says he believes the casino will be welcoming to all.