Fixing Foxwoods, Perryville

Felix Rappaport continues to unveil a new strategy for Foxwoods Resort & Casino. Operations weren’t predecessor Scott Butera‘s strong suit, by the latter’s own profession.

So, the restructuring having been done, enter Rappaport to commence the rebranding. Of oncoming competition from Boston, Rappaport said, “We’ll certainly lose some people altogether, and we’ll lose some people in terms of frequency. But if we do our jobs properly, I think we can become even more compelling.” And he’s got two or three years to entrench. Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are cutting back on slot inventory dramatically, prompting one pundit to say, “They have, in a sense, already closed the equivalent of two casinos.”

While Mohegan Sun has been targeting nearly every new casino market that comes along and, closer to home, is ramping up its concert program, Foxwoods is being a bit choosier with its comeback strategy. Gambling is still, far and away, the cash cow, but Rappaport wants a “stickier” casino that entices visitors to stay longer (up from a 1.4 day/guest average). But, aside from an in-progress outlet mall, Rappaport is short on specifics, telling the Boston Globe, “We are closing in on some deals that could add some additional restaurant brands, possibly new entertainment options, possibly some new attractions, possibly some new nightlife options, possibly some new bars.”

He also sounds like he’s thinking about importing some lessons from the Las Vegas locals market to Ledyard: “Obviously not everybody in America gambles and that’s OK. If they want to come here and shop and eat and drink and bowl, we’ll be glad to accommodate them.”

This new business plan has its detractors, who include publisher Frank Fantini (“People don’t go to the casino to go to the outlets.”) and who don’t see a Vegas-style business model working in New England. But nothing ventured, nothing gained — and anyway, when it comes to gambling, gambling and more gambling as a strategy, they’ve tried that one and it’s not working anymore.

* Continuing the transformation of Hollywood Casino Perryville into a cozy, neighborhood hangout, Penn National Gaming has asked the State of Maryland to allow it to take its slot inventory down from 1,158 to 850. This is the second big reduction in Hollywood Perryville’s slot inventory, 500 machines having been removed two years ago. Penn’s man in Perryville, Matt Heiskell, cited “comfort” as one reason for the latest change, as well as the desire to add new amenities. That still might not be sufficient reduction. According to the Washington Post, “A study prepared for the commission ultimately puts Perryville’s optimal number of slot machines somewhere closer to 658.” Although the state will be looking at $1.2 million less tax revenue, the Maryland Lottery & Gaming Control Commission favors Penn’s request.

* If the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel live on a reservation, the Internet is a wide-open prairie. And for that reason, a temporary restraining order has been placed on the tribe’s online bingo site. (The Santa Ysabel’s brick-and-mortar casino is defunct.) Santa Ysabel Interactive representative Cruz Bustamante reacted, “This decision poses a significant threat to tribal jurisdiction over Class II gaming under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. It declares one-touch bingo and proxy play of games to be illegal and turns a blind eye to federal laws and precedent permitting technological advancements to aid in the play of Class II bingo. These are very dangerous and significant pronouncements for Indian Country.”

We’ll see about that.