Casino’s weekend wagers up $12M

PLAINS TWP. – Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs chief executive Bobby Soper is not letting his guard down after an impressive opening weekend for the new casino with its added slot machines and non-gambling amenities.

“It’s a very good start,” Soper said Monday. “Of course, any time you open a new property there’s a curiosity factor.”

The expanded casino that opened Thursday holds nearly 2,500 slot machines, more than twice the number that had operated in the neighboring interim gambling hall since November 2006. The result was nearly $32 million of wagers during the Friday-Sunday period, compared to less than $20 million each of the prior two weekends.

After paying out more than 90 percent of the wagers in jackpots and a 55 percent state rate on the remainder, the casino was left with nearly $1.4 million in profit from slots players.

Some of the Downs’ gain may have come at the expense of Mount Airy Casino Resort, which saw its three-day wagers total fall to $25 million from $28 million the prior weekend and $33 million the July 4 weekend. Mount Airy spokesman Pete Peterson said the slump must be put into perspective.

“You’re comparing it to two pretty strong weeks,” Peterson said. And just as the opening of Mount Airy cut into the Downs’ business, the impact of a new casino nearby is “not to be unexpected.”

Overall, Mount Airy is attracting wagers at a rate above its weekly average, and “we expect our numbers to be back up again soon,” he said.

This is a strong season for casinos in the Northeast, which is another reason for caution, Soper said. “The summer months are the peak months.”

With its restaurants and shops, the 300,000-square-foot permanent casino now can attract non-gamblers as well. One newcomer to the region is pleased with the start for his eatery.

“We were very busy from the moment we opened,” said Rustic Kitchen owner Jim Cafarelli. He said the Tuscan-themed restaurant served around 500 meals each day on average.

“We’re very impressed with it. All the indicators are good so far,” he said.

Cafarelli praised the staff that handled opening jitters and a crush of business that at times strained resources. “There’s a great work ethic; they’re all willing to help out any way,” he said.

Executive chef Tom Holloway, who is a partner in the Boston-based venture, told Cafarelli he thought it was the strongest staff he’s ever seen open a restaurant.

Cafarelli wants to extend the restaurant’s hours, but first he needs to find more help. “Right now, the people we’ve got are working a lot of overtime,” he said.

Rustic Kitchen and other casino businesses will hold interviews at a hurriedly scheduled job fair on Thursday, from 2 to 5 p.m., in the clubhouse lobby of the old casino.

There’s still more to do on the circular gambling floor as well. Soper said many of the games that are no longer in use in the interim casino will be moved over during the next few weeks, replacing slots that were temporarily leased. When the transfer is complete, about 350 machines will remain in the old casino that is adjacent to the harness racetrack.