Tuesday, June 13, 2006

As reported by the Norwich Bulletin: "Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun
are the economic engines that drive Eastern Connecticut. "Billed as the
world's two largest casinos, Foxwoods, near Ledyard and owned by the
Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, opened in 1992. "Mohegan Sun, in
Montville and owned by the Mohegan tribe, opened in 1996. "Together, they
employ more than 22,000 people, and brought jobs to the region at a time
when defense manufacturing was declining. The casinos, as they continue to
expand, are shifting the region's economy from manufacturing to tourism.

".Mitchell Etess, chief executive officer and president of Mohegan Sun, said
he sees the casinos continuing to evolve into entertainment destinations
that will add tourists for the state.

".Under the gaming pact with the state, the casinos give 25 percent of all
slot machine revenue to the state. That has totaled more than $3.5 billion."