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Many people are unaware of the great gambling scene in New England. Looking for things to do while passing through the Northeast, check out New England’s nine casinos. You don’t need to travel hours by car or by plane to get some good games in. There’s actually a rich history of gambling in NE that dates all the way back to the first wave of English settlers. Here’s a look at the Best Casinos to Visit in New England by Steve Bourie, our guest author. Please note his biography below.
Foxwoods Resort Casino
Opening in 1992, Foxwoods is the oldest casino in New England. It also held the title as one of the largest in the country for several years past its initial conception. It started as a high-stakes bingo hall founded by the Mashantucket tribe in 1986.
This renowned destination offers gambling and entertainment for the whole family. Foxwoods recently-added drive-in movie theater to better accommodate guests during the pandemic. Kids of all ages are guaranteed to enjoy classic go-karting and heart-pumping thrill rides.
Foxwoods also offers a terrific promotional golf package. Stay at the Fox Tower Casino and play at Lake of Isles—the number-one-rated golf course in all of CT. It features over 900 acres of scenic woodlands set against a picturesque lake—for one special price.
Mohegan Sun Resort Casino
The Mohegan Sun is Foxwood’s top competitor, established in 1996. An estimated 40,000 people walked through its doors on opening day. Consequently, the Mohegan tribe continuously rolls out exciting promotions that draw loyalty from both in-state and out-of-state players.
Mohegan Sun was one of the first casinos to reopen in New England. By reopening in June, it beat out much of the New England competition.
The annual Hot Summer Fun promotion has returned this year. It features daily deals, bonus winnings, free t-shirts, and more. Mohegan Sun’s Momentum Rewards Club is now offering a Momentum Priority Pass. It was added in response to public health concerns due to coronavirus. This allows members to reserve a dedicated time slot for safer gift pick-ups.
Tiverton Hotel Casino
Rhode Island’s early gambling history founded much of the Ocean State’s colonial development during the 17th and 18th centuries until a law in the late 1800s banned the activity altogether. The term “casino” instead referred to a large room for music, dancing, and social clubs—not necessarily involving gaming—and the Newport Grand Casino was the grandest of them all, reserved for the ultra-elite.
The lack of table games were the demise of Newport Grand. In 2014, Twin River Casino received permission to offer table games to keep up with Connecticut’s Tribal casinos. Twin River Casino bought Newport Grand and closed it to open Tiverton. Eventually, the Tiverton Casino Hotel became Rhode Island’s second casino.
As of June 30th, the casino reopened with a COVID-19 response plan designed to keep guests safe. If you enroll as a new member between now and September 1, 2020, you are entered into their $5,000 new member sweepstakes.
MGM Springfield
Massachusetts residents couldn’t be more excited about the reopening of MGM Springfield on July 13th. MGM upheld the brand’s reputation as an industry leader by introducing an original MGM Seven-Point Safety Plan, in addition to following New England casino protocols. To encourage guests to keep their masks on, only those who are actively playing games are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages. Guests cannot walk around the casino floor with a drink in-hand.
One way MGM Springfield effectively draws visitors from out of state is by matching top-tier players honored at other casinos within their own M life Rewards membership, which offers exclusive benefits, valuable comps, discounted room rates, FREEPLAY, giveaways, and more. And, true to MGM fashion, the place is beautiful inside and out.
Hollywood Bangor
Maine’s casinos have reopened with a twist, requiring all guests to go through Contract Tracing Check-In, which includes a mandatory temperature check and facial covering—but you can still have a great time gambling at Hollywood.
Hollywood Bangor is smaller than Maine’s alternative option, Oxford Casino. But it’s a superior due to its ownership – the experienced Penn National Gaming company. As such, you can head to Bangor, ME for a Vegas-style casino experience complete with Hollywood glitz and glam. Table games have yet to return to Oxford Casino, but here, you’ll find everything from blackjack and baccarat open daily from 11 AM to midnight.
Poker rooms in New England remain closed. If you’re dying to play, head to New Hampshire. You’ll never feel bored. With limited capacity on the gaming floor, there are over 800 slots to choose from.
Takeaways
Bring a mask to the casino. And make sure to follow COVID-19 guidelines.
Have fun and win big!
About Steve Bourie
Steve Bourie is the author of the American Casino Guide. It is considered the most comprehensive publication available for information on any U.S. casino/resort, riverboat or Indian casino. His guide has been published annually since 1992. Incidentally, it‘s now the #1 bestselling book in the U.S. on the subject of casino gambling and travel.
Steve has more than 40 years of experience in the gambling industry. His casino travel articles have appeared in Fortune, Bestfares.com and the inflight magazines for Spirit Airlines and Continental Connection. He has also written numerous articles for gaming magazines. Chance, Double Down, and The Gambler, Canada’s largest circulation gaming magazine are just some.