After a positive April, gambling at Connecticut’s two resort casinos took a turn for the worse in May as slot revenues dropped 6.2 percent at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville section of Montville and 1 percent at Foxwoods in Mashantucket near Ledyard from the previous year.
The drop was particularly noticeable for Foxwoods because the casino saw a 9.3 percent increase in slot revenue in April compared to April 2010. The $55.9 million Foxwoods received from its slot machines in May was 0.9 percent lower than the $56.4 million in May 2010.
This year had the lowest revenue for May since 1997, when the casino had 2,000 fewer slot machines.
Mohegan generated $61 million from its slot machines in May, continuing the casino’s eight-year run of generating more gambling revenue than rival Foxwoods.
Mohegan’s May slot take was a 6.2 percent drop from the $65 million made in May 2010. Mohegan says it was its worst May for slot revenue since 2001, when the casino had 3,000 fewer slot machines.
Bosses at both Connecticut casinos have said lower slot revenue isn’t a complete indicator of how busy the properties are or profitability, since gamblers also spend at its restaurants, night clubs, retail shops and concerts.
“Despite the modest decrease in slot revenue, Foxwoods is performing well in all aspects of its business,” said Foxwoods President and CEO Scott Butera in a press release. “We are making significant improvements on a daily basis, including adding many new slot machines to our casino floors, as well as scheduling a wide variety of entertainment options for our upcoming summer and fall seasons.”
As part of an agreement with the state, the casinos must contribute 25 percent of their slot revenue to the state general fund. For May, Mohegan contributed $15.9 million, and Foxwoods contributed $15.1 million.
