Slot revenue at Mohegan Sun plunged 15 percent in March compared with a year earlier, while revenue at its rival, Foxwoods Resort Casino, rose marginally, the two casinos reported Wednesday.But revenue has been rising steadily at both Indian casinos this year after regular declines in 2008. That means more money for the state, which gets 25 percent of each casino's monthly slot winnings.Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan tribe and located in Montville, reported $65.5 million in revenue from slot machine gamblers in March, down 15 percent from the same month a year earlier, when it reported $76.7 million.The casino's winnings represent 8.49 percent of the $772 million that gamblers fed into slot machines during the month. The state's take comes to $16.4 million.
Foxwoods, owned by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and located near Ledyard, reported slot revenue of $61.6 million in March, a 1.3 percent increase from a year ago, when it reported $60.8 million. The state gets $15.4 million. Foxwoods' winnings represent 8.6 percent of the $714.4 million bet.The decrease at Mohegan Sun was among its most precipitous of the past year. Chief Executive Mitchell Etess attributed it to the casino's reduced marketing budget, a cost-cutting measure, and fewer live entertainment performances compared with the previous March. The performances draw people to the casinos.He also cited a loss of market share to Foxwoods, which last May opened a $700 million expansion, MGM Grand at Foxwoods."We're not surprised that they've narrowed the gap, frankly," Etess said.He also said that slot revenue in March 2008 was especially high, exaggerating the apparent severity of the contrast with March 2009.
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