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Further cuts expected for Dover Downs

Delaware Public Media

After laying off ten employees last quarter and cutting late-night table game play, Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment officials are expected to announce further cost-cutting measures this week.

Dover Downs had lost more than $350,000 during the first quarter this year before they announced those moves in April. And the publicly traded company posted more than $700,000 in losses in 2014.

State lawmakers failed to give any sort of relief to Delaware’s three casinos this year after cobbling together aid packages in 2013 and 2014.

President and CEO Ed Sutor says he’s not sure how much he would bet on the General Assembly crafting an aid plan next year.

“Even though I’m in the gaming business and used to setting odds and projections, I can’t even begin to estimate the probability or likelihood, but I think we’ve demonstrated numerous times that it’s warranted," Sutor said.

A bill drafted by Sen. Brian Bushweller (D-Dover) would have cut revenue sharing rates for table games, dropped a licensing fee for operating those games and offered marketing tax credits. The package totaled nearly $46 million in taxpayer money over two years for Delaware's three casinos.

“It’s not going to surprise anyone that we’re going to take a look at the revenue sharing again. Hopefully, somehow, there’s a windfall of money that can come to the state and they agree this is a good time to make adjustments," Sutor said.

He says that uncertainty, plus further competition, has led to a slimmer operation. Further details will be made public Thursday morning.

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