The recession and competition were hot topics at the first ever New England Gaming Summit on Tuesday.

Connecticut's two tribal casinos have taken a big hit in the last two years. Meanwhile, gaming options are growing in Rhode Island, New York and Massachusetts.

But the landscape isn't stopping the Mohegan Tribe. CEO Michael Etess, fresh off a round of big layoffs at Mohegan Sun, said the tribe will weather the storm and continue to push for a commercial casino in Massachusetts.

“We are still built to last,” Etess said at his keynote, The Norwich Bulletin reported. “We will survive. And we will grow.”

Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, said the entire gaming industry is facing major changes. "In this new era, it's not as simple as 'build it and they will come,'" he said during his keynote, The New London Day reported. "It's definitely a different market out there."

Massachusetts still hasn't legalized casino gaming but the Mashpee Wampanaog Tribe isn't worried. "We're inevitable," Chairman Cedric Cromwell said at the summit, The Harford Courant reported.

Get the Story:
CEO: Despite layoffs, Mohegan Sun 'built to last' (The Norwich Bulletin 9/22)
Mohegan Sun not retreating (The Norwich Bulletin 9/22)
Competition, recession a game changer, Etess tells gaming summit (The New London Day 9/22)
Recession downsizes gambling industry (The New London Day 9/22)
Gambling Industry Looks At A More Complicated Future (The Hartford Courant 9/22)
Moody's reviews Mohegan debt (AP 9/22)

Related Stories:
First ever New England Gaming Summit kicks off in Connecticut (9/20)
First New England Gaming Summit next week at Mohegan casino (9/14)