Gaming briefs for June 17, 2003

Tuesday, June 17, 2003 | 11:11 a.m.

Casinos give state $36 million

MASHANTUCKET, Conn. -- Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino reported Monday that they gave the state a combined $36 million from their net slot machine revenue from May.

The two casinos give the state 25 percent of their monthly slot machine revenue, under agreements made before the casinos opened. Money from the slots fund is given to towns statewide.

Mohegan Sun, in Uncasville, reported net slot and video poker machine revenue in May of $70.1 million.

Michael Bloom, Mohegan Sun's vice president of marketing, told the Norwich Bulletin that rainy weather helped push more players to the slot machines. He said bad weather is just as good for a casino as it is for shopping centers, bowling alleys and movie theaters.

Foxwoods, near Ledyard, said its net slot and video poker revenue was $74.6 million in May, resulting in an $18.6 million payment to the state. The casino's slot handle was $910.8 million from an average of 6,582 machines.

Foxwoods officials said May's net slot win was the second best of any month in casino history since the casino introduced slots in 1993. The highest slot win, $76.8 million, came in August 2001.

Loyalty program expands

Harrah's Entertainment Inc. of Las Vegas today unveiled more details about previously announced improvements to its slot and video poker machine loyalty club that are expected to debut July 1.

The program, a revamp of its existing club called Total Rewards II, allows gamblers to rack up higher-end freebies such as a trip on a private jet, a ride aboard a float in New Orleans' Mardi Gras parade, an Australian gambling trip, or becoming an honorary member of a NASCAR pit crew.

Players will be able to select from more than 50 vacation packages, including one that takes them to three locations -- Las Vegas, Lake Tahoe and New Orleans -- in six days.

Merchandise such as Sony big-screen TVs, Cartier watches, Coach bags and Big Bertha Callaway golf clubs are among the items gamblers will be able to obtain by redeeming points. Food processors, ping-pong tables and jet skis also are on the menu in addition to the regular meals, rooms and other traditional perks offered.

"No one in the casino business has attempted anything on this scale," Gary Loveman, Harrah's president and chief executive, said.

The program also allows gamblers to accumulate points over time. The existing Total Rewards program required members to redeem comps on their current visit. Under Total Rewards II, player credits would expire if they didn't gamble within six months.

More than 20 million customers are members of Total Rewards -- considered the largest slot club database in the country.