The February 2003 slot machine revenues for the two (Foxwoods Resort Casino, the MGM Grand at Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun) Connecticut casinos are in.
It was a big improvement for Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods which posted about a one percent (1%) increase over the year before. The Foxwoods Casinos had reported monthly losses compared to the year before from September 2008 to January 2009. The declines were September 2008 -15.9%, October -7.4%, November -7.6%, December -19.3%, and January -7.3%. The last time Foxwoods had a winning slot month was 1.2% in August, 2008.
In my opinion several factors, contributed to the upturn at Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods. They are an increased use of their entertainment venue, their 19th anniversary of being in the casino business (opened February 15, 1992), higher hotel room occupancy and the hiring and direction of the casinos under Michael Speller. Slot win for the month was $58 million ($58,000,000.00.)
During the month, entertainment at the casino included: Kid Rock, Jeff Foxworthy, the Contender Boxing Tournament. The casino offered more affordable hotel room prices, and a one hundred thousand dollar ($100,000.00) slot jack pot.
Across the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut, things did not go as well for the Mohegan Sun Casino for the month of February, 2009. The slot win was $63.8 million ($63,800,000.00).
The Mohegan sun Casino had a loss of 8.9% for February 2009 compared to February 2008. The losses in slot revenue from September 2008 to January 2009 were -13.3%, -9.1%, -5.3%, -4.3% and -8.7%. The last gain in slot revenue in year over year was in May 2008.
Jeffrey Hartmann, the Chief Operating Officer of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority said, "Foxwoods had a very good month.........their anniversary month, We congratulate them on their anniversary." Jeff Hartman thought that part of the slot decline could be attributed to the number of shows at the Mohegan Sun Arena for the month .
Michael Spiller, the MPGE President (Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises) said, "Four weeks results don't make a trend. But the things we're doing are beginning to show fruit."
The Mohegan Sun with it's slot win (money the tribe kept) had a slight edge over Foxwoods of 52% to 48%. Not too long ago it was Mohegan Sun 55% and Foxwoods 45%. Total win for Mohegan Sun was $62.8 million. For Foxwoods Resort Casino and the MGM Grand at Foxwoods was $58 million. Total slot machines being used at Mohegan Sun was 6,787 and at Foxwoods was 7,998.
The difference between the two casinos, in my opinion, was that Foxwoods did a better job. They were more innovative. They ran better promotions, gave discounts on hotel rooms, and have the new management of Michael Speller.
We could muddy the waters, by talking about Atlantic City's eleven (11) casinos slot performance which was down by about 19% compared to the year before. Does it really matter what Atlantic City did? Does it matter what Foxwoods did?
Isn't the only numbers that Mohegans should really be worried about are the Mohegan Sun Casino's? Could changing management at MPGE have made a difference? Does the MTGA (Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority) need to be changed? How many bad months can the Mohegan Sun continue to have? I don;t know. Do you? What do you think?
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