When Gambling Revenue Drops, Increase Alcohol Sales At Casinos

At a time when the casino industry is booming in the United States and lawmakers have come around to the idea of casino gambling being a way of life, two Indian owned casinos are creating waves.

The owners of the Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino have began talks with state officials in Connecticut to allow them to serve alcohol for a longer period of time. The casinos are looking to compete with Atlantic City casinos, which offers alcohol for a longer period than the Connecticut casinos.

Atlantic City casinos are not exactly raking in the money these days. The competition in the Northeast has gotten so strong that every little detail could make the difference to potential gamblers.

It used to be that casinos in Atlantic City would have the pick of the litter when it came to high rollers. Now, however, with casino gambling expanding in neighboring states, it has made it difficult for both Atlantic City and Connecticut casinos to stay on top.

"We've discovered that our liquor hours that we have right now are out of step with our competition in Atlantic City. We see a dramatic falloff in our gaming after last call," said spokeswoman for the Mashantucket Pequot tribal Nation, Lori Potter.

Most of the time when compacts with Indian tribes are negotiated, the tribes get the better of the deal. In Connecticut, it will have to be the tribes that give something up if they want their liquor sales hours extended.

They currently can sell liquor until 1:00 A.M. on weekdays, and until 2:00 A.M. on weekends. That is different from Atlantic City casinos, which has alcohol hours much more conducive to keeping gamblers playing all night.

November 27, 2008
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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