"Two significant milestones are taking place within the Mohegan Tribe, owners of Mohegan Sun.

Thirteen years ago this weekend, the tribe opened its casino on the banks of the Thames River in Montville. And last week, the tribe’s nine-member tribal council appointed a woman, Lynn Malerba, to its top elected leadership position, tribal chairwoman.

We congratulate Malerba on this historic feat and the tribe on its anniversary.

Thirteen is not normally considered a “lucky number,” and these are not particularly good days for the tribe, or its neighbors, the Mashantucket Pequots, owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand. Both casinos have suffered greatly as a result of the recession.

The glory days of huge gaming profits and unprecedented growth came to a crashing halt last year, and the impact is still being felt today.

The financial well-being of the two gaming institutions is an important factor in the region’s economy, particularly because the two tribes are the largest employers in Eastern Connecticut. Both have been forced to reduce their work force and take other cost cutting measures in response to the slumping economy.

The financial health of the casinos also extends well beyond our region. Falling slot revenue — 25 percent of which goes directly to the state, with a portion of that given to cities and towns — also impacts the state’s economy. Separate from the actual dollars being sent to Hartford, both casinos do business with thousands of other Connecticut companies that employ thousands of other Connecticut residents."

Get the Story:
Our view: Region’s health tied to casinos (The Norwich Bulletin 10/11)