Boyd casino cuts workers
MICHIGAN CITY, Ind. — Competition from a tribal casino that opened this summer in southwestern Michigan has led Blue Chip Casino to lay off employees, a spokesman said.
Blue Chip, on Lake Michigan, began laying off 6 percent of its work force Friday, said David Strow, a spokesman for parent company Boyd Gaming.
Strow attributed the layoffs to competition from the Four Winds Casino about 10 miles away in New Buffalo, Mich., which opened in August.
Revenues in August were down by about $5.5 million from the previous month.
Strow did not say how many employees were affected, but Michigan City Mayor Chuck Oberlie said the casino employs about 1,100, which would put the number laid off at between 60 and 70.
“I don’t know that it was totally unforeseen,” Oberlie said Friday.