Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods today reported to the Connecticut State Division of Special Revenue that slot revenue for the month of February was $51.6 million. This amount represents a decrease of 11.1 percent in slot win and a decrease of 9.9 percent in total slot handle as compared to February of 2009. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the casino’s owner, also reported a $13.4 million payment to the State of Connecticut for February 2010. This contribution increases the total dollar amount given to the State of Connecticut to over $2.9 billion since January 1993, when slot machines were first introduced at Foxwoods.

Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods continue to experience hotel occupancy rates at or near 100 percent, and guest visitation shows no sign of slowing down despite the decrease in slot revenue. Throughout January and February, more than one million people were on property to experience Foxwoods Five Star Service™, world-class dining, amenities and entertainment offerings, further illustrating the award-winning property’s appeal, even during challenging economic times.

“Our guests visit our award-winning property for a variety of reasons, from gaming to entertainment, nightlife to dining and everything in between, and we are pleased that our commitment to providing them with an unparalleled experience keeps them coming back,” said Michael Speller, President of Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprises (MPGE). “While our February results have seen a decline, we are optimistic about the coming months.”

Foxwoods also continues to lead the industry in a number of important categories including retail and restaurant sales. According to data provided by the resort casino’s food service tenants and vendors including Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts and El Pollo Loco, Foxwoods is their most popular location based on sales, customer counts or revenue. 

This is hardly the first time a Foxwoods-based chain or franchise location has taken top honors. Fuddruckers, located in Foxwoods’ Great Cedar Casino, is #1 in sales for Fuddruckers’ Franchise and Corporate restaurants throughout the country, while the fast casual deli chain Subway is #1 in non-traditional location sales throughout the United States. El Pollo Loco’s Foxwoods store was recently recognized as the quick service, fire-grilled chicken restaurant chain’s most highly-trafficked location in the country.

Dunkin’ Donuts boasts the 2^nd highest sales of any of the company’s more than 200 Connecticut stores. What’s more, this feat was achieved without a drive thru – a proven advantage for the New England coffee giant’s stores. Foxwoods’ Ben & Jerry’s, located just outside the Great Cedar Casino, is recognized as one of the “Top 10 Stores” for sales in the entire Ben & Jerry’s family.  Perhaps one of the most mind-boggling statistics boasted by the property relates to its sale of Pepsi products – Foxwoods is the highest single point of sale for PepsiCo food service products in the entire nation. The vendor and tenant success enjoyed by some of the world’s most trusted and respected chain restaurants and brands is just one of many indicators that business is thriving at the resort casino.

Widely considered the East Coast’s premier entertainment destination for nearly two decades, Foxwoods and MGM Grand at Foxwoods have hosted myriad sold out shows throughout 2009 and 2010, including Sting, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, Alice in Chains, and Steve Harvey, just to name a few.

Just last month, the much anticipated opening weekend for the “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” sold more tickets than the opening of the exhibit at Manhattan’s Discovery Channel Exposition Center. This is on the heels of the success of the Foxwoods showing of BODIES: Revealed, which drew more than 120,000 spectators over the course of the awe-inspiring exhibit’s ten-month-long run. The run was extended on three separate occasions due to continued sell-outs and popular demand.

It’s not uncommon for people to “win big” at Foxwoods, North America’s largest resort casino – but for native Bostonian, John Flanagan, hitting the jackpot took on an entirely different meaning when he and his Nashville-based glam rock band took home the top honors at the “Wonder of it All” finals, held on Saturday, February 27 at the legendary Fox Theater.

Competing against nine other bands, ranging from jazz-pop to funk to a cappella, 22 year-old John Flanagan channeled his inner-Freddie Mercury to deliver a memorable performance and a hyper-modernized take on the iconic “Wonder of it All” jingle, originally crooned by American jazz musician John Pizzarelli. 

“This is the most exciting day of my life,” said lead singer John Flanagan. “To be recognized by a place like Foxwoods for doing something that we love is a great honor, and we’re really excited to embark on this journey with them. Having our music featured in commercials for North America’s largest resort casino is beyond our wildest dreams.”

In addition to being the new voice of Foxwoods, Flanagan and his band received a year-long promotional contract and a $25,000 grand prize package, including top-of-the-line music equipment, a Foxwoods VIP Package, studio time, an advertising schedule, and more. The finalists performed in front of a live audience and a panel of celebrity commentators including basketball luminaries Jo Jo White and Daryl Dawkins, CFO of Def Jam Records, Joe Borrino, NYC’s DJ Big Premiere, Celtics Dancers, and Fox 61's Jeff Valin, who emceed the event. Second place went to Boston-based a cappella group Redline.

Boston-born Flanagan has spent the majority of his burgeoning career perfecting his theatrical performance style, most recently at Nashville’s Belmont University, where he met and began collaborating with fellow band members Ryan Ochsner (Lead Guitar), Daniel Shifflett (Bass Guitar), Jared Mitchell (Background Vocals), Ross Bridgeman (Keys), and Mike Redmond (Percussion), while studying Commercial Vocal Performance in the university’s intensive music program. No stranger to the stage, Flanagan moved to Nashville in 2005 and immediately began playing to audiences of 1200 as lead vocalist of rock outfit, The Gilly; however, seizing the opportunity for growth, Flanagan left The Gilly in pursuit of corporate gigs, and has played venues from Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma to Seaside, Oregon.  In the past year Flanagan has focused his energies while off the road on stocking his arsenal of original material both independently and with co-writers.  Currently in production, his 6-song EP is due for release later this year.

The search for the new voice of Foxwoods began in November 2009, when a call for submissions resulted in hundreds of hopefuls recording and submitting their takes on the legendary jingle on www.bethewonder.com. The top 50 online vote recipients were then narrowed down to ten by a team of Foxwoods marketing and advertising executives, who also made up the judging panel the evening of the finals. The live audience also played a role in determining a winner of the talent search, thanks to a text messaging campaign that made up for 25% of the voting process.

A giant cash giveaway is great, but a colossal one is even better. And that’s exactly what all Dream Card holders at Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods will get from March 5 through March 7, when more than $75,000 will be awarded to some lucky winners as part of the Colossal Cash Giveaway.

Beginning at 6 a.m. on Friday, March 5 and continuing through 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 7, Dream Card holders will receive one Colossal Cash entry for every 10 Dream Points earned on their favorite $1-and- above slot machines. Plus, Dream Card holders playing on Friday will receive 100 bonus entries, while Saturday players will receive 50 bonus entries and 10 bonus entries for Sunday players. The drawing will be held on March 7 at 5 p.m. Prizes total OVER $75,000 in cash with a Grand Prize of $25,000!

All Dream Card holders are eligible for the promotion. Dream Cards are free.  To sign up for a Dream Card, visit www.Foxwoods.com or any Dream Rewards location at Foxwoods Resort Casino or MGM Grand at Foxwoods.

The finest gaming options and promotions have always been at the heart of Foxwoods Resort Casino and MGM Grand at Foxwoods. At the six casinos at Foxwoods, there are more than 380 table games with 17 different varieties, including blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, Caribbean stud poker and pai gow poker, and the only WPT World Poker Room in New England, with 98 tables open around the clock. The casino at MGM Grand at Foxwoods features 60 table games, including blackjack, roulette, craps, Spanish 21, and 3-card poker. Together, the seven casinos offer more than 7,200 slots, a Rolling Chip program that rewards frequent players, Wide Area Progressive slot machines, High Stakes Bingo, free online play, and Ultimate Race Book.

After reviewing a windfall of entries, the voting public and a panel of executives have narrowed down the field to 10 talented, and coincidentally local, musicians in the search for the new voice for Foxwoods Resort Casino’s iconic “Wonder of it All” theme song. They range from jazz-pop to funk to a cappella — and they’ll all be performing in the finals on February 27 in the Fox Theater before a panel of judges and live audience. What’s more, all of the 10 finalists have New England roots, with connections ranging from Boston to Providence, Warwick to Bristol.

In addition to becoming the new voice of North America’s largest resort casino, the winner will receive a year-long promotional contract and a $25,000 grand prize package, including top-of-the-line music equipment, a Foxwoods VIP Package, studio time, an advertising schedule, and more.

The 10 finalists are:

Amanda Carr and the Kenny Hadley Big Band (Quincy, MA) Amanda Carr gained recognition after recording Jordan’s Furniture commercials in 1997. She joined forces with drummer/big-band leader Kenny Hadley in 2001; they’ve gone on to record successful CDs, including 2007’s “Soon,” which catapulted to number two on Amazon.com’s jazz chart after receiving high praise in The Wall Street Journal.

Beantown Swing Orchestra (Boston, MA) One of the top swing bands in the Northeast, the 18-piece Beantown Swing Orchestra was formed four years ago to represent swing music as it was during its heyday: exciting. Featuring American Idol Season 3 finalist John Stevens, they’ve since performed at weddings, concerts, and galas, and were cast as a wedding band in the Hollywood film My Best Friend's Girl, starring Kate Hudson and Dane Cook.

Booty Vortex (Boston, MA) Booty Vortex, a musical powerhouse of funk, soul, and disco, was started in 2004 by a group of friends who wanted to play good music and have a good time. Since then, they’ve sold out clubs and shared their mix of fun and funk at fundraisers, private parties, weddings, and corporate events. By day, the band’s 11 members are computer engineers, music teachers, a video producer, and a yoga teacher.

John Flanagan (Nashville, TN) John Flanagan is a Boston-born, 22-year-old performer based in Nashville. Since moving there in 2005, Flanagan immediately began playing to audiences of 1200 as lead vocalist of rock band, “The Gilly.” After leaving the band, he went solo, playing venues from Georgia to Texas, and Oklahoma to Oregon. Currently in production, his 6-song EP is due for release in 2010.

Malik and Soul Café (Dorchester, MA) Lead vocaIist Malik Fareed and background vocalists Elise Jones, Leslie Jones, and Constance Kirven-Porter met on a recording project through producer Gordon Worthy. Their combination was instantly smooth, natural, and soulful, so they decided to record and perform together. 

Paul Giammarco (Warwick, RI) Paul Giammarco has been actively playing music for almost a decade, with local acts including Bad Larry and Someday Providence. His current project features musicians who’ve played in bands including Turning Blue, Penrose, and The Danger Room. Their goal is to bring life and fun back to the Providence music scene.

Redline (Boston, MA) Composed of 10 members, Redline has been a part of Boston’s a cappella scene since 2007. They come from a variety of backgrounds, but are united in their drive to create a captivating musical experience for every audience – performing classic rock, modern pop, and everything in between.

Rich DiMare (Medford, MA) Rich DiMare, who’s influenced by Frank Sinatra and has been compared to Michael Buble and Harry Connick, Jr., began singing professionally in 2006. He was called “the hot new lounge singer in town” by The Boston Globe, and works as Production Director of “Matty in the Morning” on KISS 108-FM.

Steve Smith and the Nakeds (Providence, RI) Steve Smith and the Nakeds is a 10-piece rhythm and blues band celebrating its 37^th year of performing together at concerts, clubs, and special events, including occasional dates with E Street Band alumni Clarence Clemons and Nils Lofgren. In 1994, they performed with Clemons for President Bill Clinton at his Health Care Rally in Washington, DC.

that i am (Bristol, CT) Rockers that i am released their first-full length CD, 2005’s “The Nominonimore,” to great reviews. Their follow-up, “Get to Know Your Own Fluids,” was hailed as “...by far the best the label has put out to date" by George Engel of Sling Slang Records.

Living legend and Hall of Fame trainer Angelo Dundee will be a special guest at “Brace For Impact,” presented by Jimmy Burchfield’s Classic Sports and Entertainment, Inc. (CES), at the Fox Theater at Foxwoods Resort Casino on March 12. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first bout is at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40, $60, and $100 and are on sale now.

Tickets may be purchased by calling CES at 401-724-2253/2254, online at www.cesboxing.com or www.foxwoods.com, by calling 800-200-2882, or in person at the Foxwoods box office.

The 10-round main event is a rematch between heavyweights Tony “TNT” Grano and Mark “Oak Tree” Brown. Brown (15-2, 7 KOs) overcame two knockdowns to stop Grano (16-1-1, 13 KOs), fighting out of Hartford (CT), in the eighth round of their WBF All-Americas title bout Sept. 27, 2008. Grano is the 2005 U.S. National Championships winner and National Golden Gloves Tournament runner-up, and has won two in a row since suffering his lone loss as a pro to Brown, highlighted by a sensational, nationally-televised knockout of previously-undefeated prospect Travis Kaufman (18-0) last September.

Dundee, 88, was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994. Best known as head trainer for Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, Dundee also worked the corner for George Foreman, Jose Napoles, Jimmy Ellis, Carmen Basilio and Luis Rodriguez.

“I’m looking forward to being at Foxwoods,” Dundee said. “I go way back with Jimmy Burchfield. When I first go to a city, I always look for a good Italian restaurant, and that’s how I first met Jimmy in Providence at his (former) restaurant (The Classic). I brought Sugar Ray Leonard there. I was in Providence two years ago for an Italian festival and Jimmy brought Vinny Paz and a lot of his good-looking fighters. It takes a lot of guts to promote today and Jimmy Burchfield is the reason boxing is still flourishing up there. He does it the right way with local kids. I’m thrilled to be a guest at his Foxwoods show.”

“My relationship with Angelo goes beyond boxing,” Burchfield noted. “We’re good friends. I don’t know if boxing will ever see anybody like him again in terms of what he did for his fighters. Not only does he know this business inside and out, I think he’s one of the greatest human beings I’ve ever met. My relationship with Sugar Ray Leonard is thanks to Angelo.

“On of my all-time favorite fighters, Willie Pastrano, was trained by Angelo. I’m thrilled to be having my dear friend, Angelo, sitting next to me at ringside on March 12^th. He has been as big a personality as his fighters. Angelo never turns down a request from fans for an autograph, or a favor from promoters. His presence at our show will top off a great night.”

Also slated to be in action on “Brace For Impact” are Hartford super bantamweight “Machine” Mike Oliver (22-2, 7 KOs), reigning New England and EBA champion; Marshfield (MA) super middleweight Manuel Antonio Lopes (5-0-1, 1 KO), Long Island (NY) light heavyweight Joe “The Irish Bomber” Smith Jr. (2-0, 2 KOs), 2008 New York Golden Gloves champion; Brooklyn (NY) welterweight Sadam “World Kid” Ali (5-0, 2 KOs), 2008 U.S. Olympian; and Hartford middleweight David Bauza (3-0, 3 KOs). All fights and fighters are subject to change.

For more information contact CES

(401.724.2253/2254/www.cesboxing.com) or Foxwoods Resort Casino (www.foxwoods.com). Doors open at 6:00 PM/ET, first bout at 7:00 PM/ET.