Management Shake-Ups at Insolvent CT Casinos

Another casino marketing executive - Mohegan Sun's Anthony Patrone - resigns
By Brian Hallenbeck
Publication: The Day

Mohegan - Another top marketing executive at a Connecticut casino has tendered his resignation.

Anthony Patrone, Mohegan Sun's senior vice president of marketing, resigned this week, sources said, less than a month after Robert Victoria, Foxwoods Resort Casino's chief marketing officer, departed.

Mohegan Sun officials would not comment, citing company policy regarding personnel matters.

According to Mohegan Sun's website, Patrone was responsible for all casino marketing, including promotions, direct marketing, player development, executive hosts, Asian marketing, special events and VIP services, and hotel sales and marketing.

Patrone has more than 20 years of experience in the hotel and casino industries. Prior to joining Mohegan Sun, he was vice president of casino marketing at Resorts in Atlantic City. He also held senior marketing positions with Aztar Corp. and Caesars Entertainment.

New chief executive officers took over at both casinos around the first of the year - Jeffrey Hartmann at Mohegan Sun and Scott Butera at Foxwoods. Other changes in top management could be expected to follow, according to industry observers.

Marketing is a particularly crucial area, given the economic and competitive pressures that have shrunk gaming revenues in recent years.

Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods enjoy a duopoly in Connecticut, though the prospect of more competition beyond Connecticut's borders - in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island - is intensifying.

In recent months, Connecticut's casinos have aggressively targeted slots players — the biggest part of their customer base — by offering them free play.