Foxwoods’ July slot revenues fall 20%; chair makes plea for sports betting

HBJ Photo | Joe Cooper Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, which oversees Foxwoods Resort Casino.

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By Joe Cooper

Foxwoods Resort Casino posted a 20% decline in July slot revenues as the facility continues to gradually reopen during the coronavirus pandemic.

Foxwoods, operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, on Friday posted July slot revenues of $30.5 million, down from $38 million in the same month last year. By comparison, that's also down from $42.8 million in July 2018.

The casino, required by a state gaming compact to pay 25% of its slot revenues to the state of Connecticut, said it contributed $7.6 million to the state last month.

The slot revenue data surfaced just days after Foxwoods reported its revenues declined by more than 71% in the third quarter as the casino and entertainment complex closed for more than two months to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In Friday's slot release, Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequots, took aim again at encouraging Connecticut lawmakers to legalize sports betting and modernize online gaming to help with the local economy’s recovery.

Butler pointed to about $100 million in tax revenue that nearby states have generated from sports betting and internet gaming. He estimated that Foxwoods could generate $80 million a year from sports betting, internet gaming, iKeno and iLottery.

"Our tribe has helped enhance the economy of eastern Connecticut over the past 25 years, and we are ready to be part of the next phase of rebuilding right now," Butler stated.

The casino added that it continues to enforce many COVID-19-related safety measures, including mandatory face masks, temperature checks, plexiglass installations and sanitization of the property. After consulting with health experts, Foxwoods said it decided to reopen its HighFlyer Zipline, and Cedar's Steak & Oysters and Hard Rock Cafe restaurants last week.

“COVID-19’s impact continues to be felt by most industries and gaming venues, but we are encouraged by guest response and traffic, and we feel our calculated and thoughtful approach in reopening Foxwoods in phases is the right move,” said Jason Guyot, interim CEO and senior vice president of resort operations.

"We’ve created what we believe is one of the safest destinations in the Northeast," Guyot continued.