Non-Indian casino in Massachusetts defends decline in revenues

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

A sign point patrons to the Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville, Massachusetts. Photo from Facebook

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Revenues at the first gaming facility in Massachusetts continue to fall as patrons spend less and less of their money there.

The Plainridge Park Casino opened in June 2015 and results were initially impressive. Since then, it's been a steady decline -- every month, the coin in and gross revenues have fallen consistently, according to the latest report from the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.

But general manager Lance George isn't too worried about the month-to-month declines. He told BusinessWest that the gaming industry typically measures results on a year-to-year basis.

The New England Casino Race: Tribal and commercial gaming facilities in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island

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“It was a pretty standard opening — volumes incredibly high, then declining revenues, and a gradual ramp back up,” George told BusinessWest. “It’s nothing this company hasn’t seen over its past four or five openings. In our industry and most industries, we look at year-over-year results, not short-term results related to seasonability.”

Plainridge will be facing some unique pressures in the coming years. The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is opening the First Light Resort and Casino in Taunton, less than 20 miles away.

The tribe's facility will feature slot machines, table games and other devices whereas Plainridge only offers slots in addition to horse races.

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