Why Mohegan may be closing

[MRBAA]

Now that they've upgraded the casino, the restaurants, the shopping and have nice new hotel rooms, the poker room has too many down-scale regulars. It was probably already on probation, generally poker rooms aren't as profitable as other games anyway from what I've read, and if there was a scandal, I can imagine some executive just saying "enough".

[Lottery Larry]

are you just theorizing or do you have something in hand?

and my wife and i only gambled in Las Vegas in casinos that had poker rooms to offer, if you noticed in my trip report. so profitable enough may be relative...

[Clarkmeister]

[ QUOTE ]
generally poker rooms aren't as profitable as other games anyway from what I've read

[/ QUOTE ]

This is true. On average a poker tables earn about 25%-30% what other table games earn, and even less compared to slot machines in the same space. As long as the casino is busy, there is really no viable argument for keeping a poker room. Now if you are the Bellagio with excess floor space and many unused slots (on average), then a poker room makes all the sense in the world.

[Lottery Larry]

[ QUOTE ]

This is true. On average a poker tables earn about 25%-30% what other table games earn, and even less compared to slot machines in the same space. As long as the casino is busy, there is really no viable argument for keeping a poker room.

[/ QUOTE ]

except for the fact that those who play poker do not go to casinos without poker rooms and their guests who play slots and such don't show up there either...

[Clarkmeister]

That ends up being largeley irrelevant. You are talking about a small % of a small % of their revenue that falls into that category.

Also likely is that the spouse of a poker player isn't gambling what an "average" player gambles. The combined theoretical win of both you and your spouse is likely less than that of the new customer they get because they have new or more diverse slot product or additional tables at new limits.

Again, if the casnio is 75% empty most days like Bellagio, it makes sense to have a poker room. But a property that is at all busy and can legally expand their slots or tables really can't justify doing anything else if their goal is to maximize profits.

[budman]

The room was managed very poorly. I heard details of the scandal, and crap like that could only go on when upper management is asleep at the wheel.

I hope that the Mohegan Sun will reopen the room at some time in the future with all new blood.

If managed well, the poker room could certainly make more money than it did, and it could add to the prestige of the Mohegan Sun. As you mentioned, they have upgraded every aspect of the place, and they clearly have a nicer operation. Everything from parking to entertainment, shopping and restaurants are nicer at the Mohegan Sun.

I hope they take some pride in the bigger picture of the operation and try to add a world class poker operation.