The Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut is laying off casino employees for the first time in its history.

The tribe is reducing the workforce at Mohegan Sun by 5 percent. A total of 475 positions are being eliminated but some of the affected employees will be moved into other jobs, resulting in a net loss of 355 employees.

"We've worked hard the last two years to reduce our labor expenses while waiting for the economy to improve, but the economy has not improved, the economy has not stabilized," Mohegan Sun CEO Mitchell Etess said at a press conference, The New London Day reported.

The tribe is also closing four food outlets at the casino, some of which will be re-opened by third parties.

Get the Story:
Mohegan Sun cuts 355 jobs (The Norwich Bulletin 9/15)
Mohegan Sun laying off 355, closing food outlets (The New London Day 9/15)
Mohegan Sun Laying Off 475 (The Hartford Courant 9/15)
Casino workers, businesses struggle with layoff news (The New London Day 9/15)
Tough times force casino to slash jobs (The New London Day 9/15)
Luck runs out for Mohegan Sun staff (The Boston Herald 9/15)

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Mohegan Tribe reportedly lays off hundreds of casino employees (9/14)