Hartford Courant

DOWNWARD SPIRAL

Revenue dips for casinos in Massachuse­tts and Connecticu­t.

- By PHILIP MARCELO Associated Press

BOSTON – Gambling revenues have tumbled at Massachuse­tts’ casinos for another month.

The st ate Gaming Commission reported Monday that MGM Springfiel­d generated $21 million i n gambling revenues in November, the third full month the state’s first Las Vegas-style resort casino has been open.

Those gambling revenue figures are down from October’s $22 million and September’s $27 million.

Plainridge Park in Plainville, meanwhile, generated $12.8 million in November, down from October’s $13.5 million and September’s $14.3 million, the commission reported .

MGM Springfiel­d President Michael Mathis said in a statement the company is pleased with t he western Massachuse­tts casino’s “overall performanc­e.”

He said November represente­d “another solid month” for the property, which is located near Connecticu­t and also generates revenues from restaurant­s, bars, a hotel and other attraction­s.

Plainridge Park, a slots parlor and horse racing track near Rhode Island, declined to comment.

MGM provides 25 percent of i t s gross gambling revenues to the state while Plainridge Park contribute­s 49 percent.

The revenue drops come as the Connecticu­t’s two casinos both reported their fifth consecutiv­e month of year-over-year gambling declines.

Foxwoods reported Friday an 8 percent decrease in slot machine revenue, from $38 million last November to $35 million last month.

Mohegan Sun, meanwhile, said slot machine revenue dropped about 7 percent, from $47.5 million last November to about $44 million last month.

The casinos, which provide 25 percent of their slot revenues to the state, say the entry of MGM to the market has impacted their profits, but not as negatively as feared.

Rhode Island’s two casinos haven’t yet reported their November revenue numbers.

Twin River in Lincoln generated $44.5 million in net revenues from table games and slot machines in October, according to state lottery division reports.

And t he Tiverton Casino Hotel, which opened in September and is also owned by Twin River, generated $9.3 million in net gambling revenues in October.

Twin River became the first place in New England to accept bets on profession­al sports in late November while t he Tiverton casino rolled out sports gambling earlier this month.

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