|
|
|
Foxwoods Reaches Big 1-0
|
Business New Haven
4/15/2002
By: Susan Cornell
|
LEDYARD - When Foxwoods Resort Casino opened ten years ago, casino managers thought they might close the hall for a few hours in the middle of the night. But a crash of gamblers, eager to play even in the small hours of the morning, convinced casino leaders to keep the cards and dice coming 24/7.
While not the first Indian casino, Foxwoods is generally regarded as the best and largest by industry watchers and patrons.
Foxwoods' research shows that roughly 37 percent of all adults in the Northeast - from northern Maine to northern New Jersey - have gambled Foxwoods or the nearby Mohegan Sun at least once over the past year. Foxwoods President and CEO Bill Sherlock credits location - in the middle of one of the most populous and wealthiest parts of the country - as well as nonstop innovations and the high caliber of employees, for the casino's success.
The newborn casino had blackjack tables, roulette wheels, poker, a bingo hall and other attractions, but no slot machines. Over the years, the tribe built two hotels and an inn, more casinos, nightclubs, parking, restaurants, shops, a spa, and a casino and restaurant for the highest rollers. The casino and tribe today employ over 13,000 people, helping the region's economy weather defense-industry cutbacks.
An arrangement with the state that gives a quarter of Foxwoods' and Mohegan Sun's slot machine revenues to the government has helped to balance the state budget and provide extra aid to cities and towns. Last year's total payment was $335 million.
|
Go FirstGo PreviousGo
NextGo LastGo
to Index
|
|
