Conn. budget may take hit from lower slot revenues

HARTFORD, Conn.—Connecticut officials say this year’s state budget could end up further in deficit because of declining slot machine revenues at the two casinos in the state.

Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan Sun give Connecticut 25 percent of their slot machine revenues, under contracts with the state.

State officials said there could be a $50 million deficit in slot machine revenue when the fiscal year ends June 30, 2010. That’s in addition to the $500 million deficit Comptroller Nancy Wyman is predicting for the year.

State officials planned for a 1 percent increase in slot machine revenue this year and a 3 percent increase next year in the current two year, $38 billion budget. But both casinos reported slot revenue declines of more than 10 percent in August.