Foxwoods Resort Casino has opened a new slot room with 650 machines, including penny slots and progressive games linked to other American Indian casinos. Foxwoods aims to attract new players and obtain a larger share of the slot market.

According to Foxwoods executive director of slots, Alex Rodriguez, Mohegan Sun, the closest competitor of the Resort Casino, regularly shows more profits in slot reports with fewer machines. "Mohegan Sun has a bigger piece of the pie. What I'm trying to do is equalize it", Rodriguez said.

Foxwoods had about 700 slot machines out of service since December in a lower level of the casino. Rodriguez said they decided to move the slots upstairs and use the lower area as a poker room.

Regulars seemed to like the new room. "It's not as crowded and there's a lot more to choose from," said Terry Gauthier of Taftville. Carl Buehler, 68, said he liked the fact that it was not very smoky in there. "I'm doing real well, so I'm happy", he added.