Tag: #ConnecticutCasinos

New England Casinos June Promotions and Events

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It’s time for our monthly look at promotions and happenings at New England Casinos in June. While the gambling promotions continue to be for only June, the entertainment and event listings cover the entire summer, from June to September 1st.

New England Casinos june GAMBLING PROMOTIONS

FOXWOODS RESORT CASINO, Mashantucket CT

MGM Tower at Foxwoods - Right side.

Fox and Grand Pequot Hotels & Casinos

HOLLYWOOD Casino, Hotel & Raceway, BANGOR ME

Hotel at Hollywood, Bangor

Hotel at Hollywood, Bangor

 

MGM SPRINGFIELD, Springfield MA

South Market where casual eateries will be found – North side, next to parking

  • MGM Millions – May 27 to July 27. M life® Rewards members can swipe their card at any promotional kiosk and receive one complimentary set of six numbers for that week’s MGM Millions drawing. Earn 1,500 slot points or 2,000 Tier Credits from table play and receive a second entry. Every Saturday at 8:00 PM
  • Mystery Point Multiplier – Monday, June 17th. Swipe at kiosk to activate your bonus point multiplier, up to 5X.
  • Spin & Win – Wednesdays in June 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
  • Summer Celebration Swipe & Win –Thursdays in June, 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
  • Tier Credit Multiplier – Tuesday in June  Swipe at kiosk to activate Tier Credit Multiplier for entire day.  Sapphire=2X, Pearl=3X, Gold=4X & Platinum / Noir=5X
  • Over Under – Fridays in June, 5-10PM. Earn one electronic entry for every slot point or Tier Credit from table play. Then beginning at 5:00 p.m., an entry will be chosen every 30 minutes to play the Over Under game.
  • ONGOING PROMOS:  MILITARY & VETERANS PROGRAM

MOHEGAN SUN Resort Casino, Uncasville CT

Earth Hotel, at Mohegan Sun 

OXFORD CASINO & Hotel, Oxford ME

 Entrance and Hotel, Oxford Casino

Plainridge Park Casino & Raceway, Plainville MA

Plainridge Park Morning

Plainridge Park, Plainville, MA

  • Flag Giveaway – June 14th, 11:00AM
  • FATHER’S DAY GIFT GIVEAWAY –June 16, 11AM – 4PM. Earn 100 tier points on Father’s Day, to claim your 4-in-1 Emergency Tool
  • 4TH ANNIVERSARY BBQ – June 24th, 3PM – 7PM. The first 400 guests to join us in the Promo Zone will receive a Super Defrosting Tray. ENJOY HOT DOGS, POPCORN & COTTON CANDY!
  • SUNDAY SLOTPLAY DRAWINGS – June 9 & 23, 1PM – 6PM
  • $25K SUPER PRIZE WHEEL –  June 8, 15 & 22, 5PM – 9:30PM. 5 winners will be selected every half hour to spin the Super Prize Wheel. Each winner will spin the prize wheel three times. If those spins equal exactly $500, receive the Grand Prize of $25,000 cash. One winner every half hour will be awarded $500 Free SlotPlay from 1pm – 6pm.
  • SUPER PROGRESSIVE CASH JACKPOT – June 29th, 6PM – 9PM. Earn entries daily by swiping your Marquee Rewards card at any promotional kiosk.
  • ONGOING PROMOTIONS – 50+ REWARDS, P OF Diamonds, SPRING FEVER HOT SEAT

Tiverton Casino & Hotel, Tiverton, RI

Tiverton Hotel

New England Casinos June, July & August – Summer Events Schedule

June

July

August

  • August 1 – CT Sun  vs Phoenix Mercury, Mohegan Sun Arena 7:00PM
  • August 9 thru 11 – Terrificon at Earth Expo & Convention Center, Mohegan Sun
  • August 16 – CT Sun  vs Seattle Storm, Mohegan Sun Arena 7:30PM
  • August 17 & 18 – CT PSYCHIC & BEYOND EXPO at Earth Expo & Convention Center, Mohegan Sun
  • August 23 – August 16 – CT Sun  vs Las Vegas Aces, Mohegan Sun Arena 7:30PM
  • August 31 / Sept. 1 – NEW ENGLAND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL, Mohegan Sun

New England Casinos June, July & August -Summer ENTERTAINMENT Schedule

June

  • May thru August 1st – MGM LIVE! New outdoor concert series
  • June thru Sept – Darling Waterfront Concert Series, Bangor Maine; Hotel Packages at Hollywood Bangor
  • July 5 thru August 30 – Hot Summer Fun Party Rooftop Concert Series, the Riverview Garage Rooftop, Mohegan Sun
  • June 13 – Pentatonix with Rachel Platten at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • June 14 – The Fab Faux Performing a Glorious Hodgepodge of Beatles – at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • June 14 – HERMAN’S HERMITS STARRING PETER NOONE – at Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM (free)
  • June 14 – Wu Tang Clan – at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • June 15 – Bob Marley at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • June 21 – Diana Ross at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • June 21 – SPECIAL PERFORMANCE BY LUDACRIS + MUSIC BY DJ SPADE at Novelle, Mohegan Sun , 10:00PM
  • June 21 – Lonestar at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • June 22 – Martina McBride at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • June 22 – MUSIC BY DJ CASSIDY + SPECIAL GUESTS KHLOE KARDASHIAN, CIARA AND MANY MORE at Novelle, Mohegan Sun , 10:00PM
  • June 23 – Michael McDonald & Chaka Khan at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:30PM
  • June 28 – Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo and Melissa Etheridge at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM

JULY

  • July 3 – Boz Scaggs: Out of The Blues Tour 2019 at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • July 3 – New Kids on the Block at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • July 4 – Alice Cooper at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 4 – Toby Keith at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • July 4 – Foghat at Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM (free)
  • July 6 – Billy Bob Thornton & The Boxmasters, at Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM (free)
  • July 7 – Kansas at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM
  • July 7 – Little Big Town at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • July 9 & 10 – Phish at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • July 11 – Motor City Live at Twin River Event Center, 7:00pm
  • July 11 – Sublime with Rome at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • July 12 – Anthony Hamilton & Musiq Soulchild at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 12 – Rob Schneider at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 13 – Vic DiBitetto at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 7:30PM
  • July 13 – Queen Latifah at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • July 18 – Motor City Live at Twin River Event Center, 7:00pm
  • July 18 – Amos Lee & Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:30PM
  • July 19 – “WEIRD AL” YANKOVIC | The Strings Attached Tour 2019 at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 20 – Lionel Richie at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • July 20 – Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa D.R.E.A.M. The Tour at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM
  • July 20 – Sinatra Meets The Sopranos at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 21 – ELVIS COSTELLO & THE IMPOSTERS AND BLONDIE at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:00PM
  • July 23 – The Sunshine Tour: Pablo Cruise, Orleans & Firefall at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • July 25 – Motor City Live at Twin River Event Center, 7:00pm
  • July 26 – Godsmack at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • July 26 – Everclear at Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM (free)
  • July 26 & 27 – Reba McEntire at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • July 27 – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM (free)
  • July 28 – Jeffrey Osborne Celebrity Classic All Star Comedy Explosion – at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • July 28 – Ben Folds and the Violent Femmes at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • July 28 – Aaron Lewis: State I’m In Tour at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM

August

  • August 1 – Motor City Live at Twin River Event Center, 7:00pm
  • August 2 – A Woodstock Experience to Benefit St. Jude’s Hospital at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 2 – Steve Miller Band & Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 2 – Lady Antebellum at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • August 3 –A Woodstock Experience to Benefit St. Jude’s Hospital at the Fox Theater,  Foxwoods, 7:30PM
  • August 3 – rian Adams & Billy Idol at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • August 3 – Jerry Seinfeld at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 4 – Rob Thomas with Abby Anderson at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • August 8 – Tesla at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 8 – Jon Bellion at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • August 9 – Tom Segura at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 9 – WHY DON’T WE WITH SPECIAL GUEST EBEN at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:00PM
  • August 9 – 85 South Show – DC Young Fly, Karlous Miller & Chico Bean at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 10 – Air Supply at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • August 10 – Chris Tucker at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
  • August 10 – Hammer’s House Party at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 11 – Train & Goo Goo Dolls at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:00PM
  • August 16 – Mark Knopfler at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 17 – The O’Jays & Kool and The Gang at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 17 – Jonas Brothers at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • August 22 – An Evening with Jill Scott at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 22 – Nickelback – at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • August 23 – Bad Company at Twin River Event Center, 8:00pm
  • August 23 – Squeeze • The Squeeze Songbook Tour at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 24 – Ron White at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 24 – Daughtry at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM
  • August 25 – Lenny Kravitz at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM
  • August 30 – Brooks & Dunn at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
  • August 30 – Shawn Mendes with Special Guest Alessia Cara at Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:30PM

OTHER CASINO ENTERTAINMENT VENUES In New England

  • The Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun – Located in the center of the action, in Casino of the Earth, offers full beverage service, a state-of-the-art sound system, intimate seating and top performances by headliners. For complete schedule, click HERE.
  • Hollywood Bangor now offers two venues for live weekend music – 99 Hops House & the Sound Stage.  Click Here for schedule.  Summer Concert Series at the Darling Waterfront Pavillion is walking distance from Bangor Hollywood Casino (seasonal)
  • Tiverton offers duos almost every weekend.  Click HERE for schedule.
  • Twin River Casino Lighthouse Lounge – right in the middle of the downstairs casino.  Shipyard Pub – Upstairs in Non-smoking.
  • Tiverton Casino – Center Bar
  • Plainridge Park Casino – the Revolution Lounge offers entertainment on the weekends
  • MGM Springfield – Commonwealth Bar & Lounge
  • Foxwoods – Atrium Lounge – Live bands on the weekend, specialty cocktails and great time.

Visiting New England’s CasinosThis Summer?

Curious about casino expansion in our region? Then there’s only one place to go – visit us at NETimeGambling! For specific casino details, visit the websites of all seven casinos:  Connecticut – Foxwoods Resort/Casino and Mohegan Sun Resort/Casino; Rhode Island – Tiverton Casino Hotel and Twin River Hotel/Casino; Massachusetts – Plainridge Park Casino & Raceway, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor ; Maine –  Oxford Casino  and Hollywood Bangor Hotel, Casino & Raceway.

NETimeGambling | Casinos in New England

Robin T Aubin (Binbin)

“NETimeGambling” is a non-monetized blog created with my own personal interest and passion concerning the gambling industry. I love its history and its ongoing evolution and expansion. Add my love for New England, and you have this blog.  Come share my passion and visit us.

The goal of NETimeGambling is to provide a service and resource for any recreational gambler visiting New England’s expanding casino market and interested in gambling tips, news, advice and the latest in events, gambling promotions and entertainment.

Follow us on twitter at @NETimeGambling, and on Facebook at NEtimegambling. Come join the New England Casinos facebook group and chat about experiences at our 9 New England Casinos. Feel free to enhance our community with your gambling experiences, casino loyalty programs, resort experiences and thoughts concerning New England’s expansion.

Aspire at Mohegan Sun Was a Fabulous Experience

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I was alerted two weeks ago about a terrific deal at TravelZoo. Mohegan Sun’s new hotel within a hotel, Aspire, was having a sale. Prices can start for non-suite rooms around $600 depending on the day and events on property. For a little over $200, we had to take advantage of this deal. I can honestly say staying at Aspire at Mohegan Sun was a fabulous experience and NETG will be looking for a deal like this again in the future.

Hotel Within A Hotel 

The idea of having a hotel within a hotel began more than a decade ago at MGM Resorts International’s Mandalay Bay. In 1999, Four Seasons managed the top five floors as a 424-room luxury hotel at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Other examples include Nobu at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nobu Hotel at Eden Roc Miami Beach, Miami, and NoMad Las Vegas’ with 293 rooms and suites on the top four floors of Park MGM, Las Vegas. But now the concept has traveled to the northeast, in Uncasville, CT. It’s a multi-million-dollar project that’s been years in the making. It allows Mohegan to compete globally for that special gaming client or high-end customer.

Aspire at Mohegan Sun

A luxurious experience for hotel guests,  Aspire at Mohegan Sun is located in the 1,200-room Sky Tower, on floors thirty-one through thirty-six. In total, Aspire accounts for 93 rooms on the top floors of Sky Tower. Guests are allowed to take advantage of exclusive access to a fully remodeled VIP luxury food & drink experience entitled, Thirty Three, on the 33rd floor, overlooking the Thames River.

Kevin Hogan from WFSB in Hartford quoted President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun, Ray Pineault, saying  “Aspire & Thirty Three will become two of the most opulent experiences Mohegan Sun offers our hotel guests. From the moment Aspire guests arrive to the moment they check-out, they receive VIP treatment, exclusive access and a truly personalized visit.  We absolutely enjoyed our stay immensely.

The Arrival

Our secure elevator.

Our first opportunity to experience Aspire was at the Valet Parking dedicated for Aspire guests only.  Upon arrival, from the valet to the checking to the concierge, everyone lets you know your experience will be a special one. The concierge stored our bags since our room wasn’t ready. Upon arrival, the hotel registration clerk offered us champagne and told us we would receive a text when our room was ready. We decided to access Thirty-Three, the Aspire & VIP lounge, for lunch. We walked around first and then headed up for lunch. An exclusive “Aspire” elevator brings you up to Aspire and floor Thirty-Three.  I felt so special – my own elevator.

Aspire at Mohegan Sun – Luxury at Thirty-Three

Thirty Three is a showcase of modern designs & interior with a sky-high view of the beautiful New England countryside. Aspire guests have access to the new space, where delicious food options, wide screen TVs, private table games and a complimentary bar are at your service. The private gaming area had two blackjack tables and one roulette table. Premium players can reserve these  games, which, I believe, can be changed to suit the player(s) needs.

The buffet setting in Thirty-Three.

Our lunch included lobster salad, with huge chunk of lobster, a panini station, the meatiest and most delicious peeled shrimp I’ve ever tasted. Small gourmet sandwiches, fruit, assorted salads  and desserts rounded out the lunch menu. The food was spectacular, with constant refreshing of the buffet offerings. After eating, we relaxed with a drink and enjoyed the scenery from high above in the Sky Tower. It wasn’t long before the staff sent us a text to tell us our room was ready, and it was only 12:30!

Aspire at Mohegan Sun – The Room

Welcome from the butler staff, our room key and our Dream Catcher.

The room is the same size as the deluxe rooms throughout the hotel, extremely clean and spacious. No noise in the hallways. But, in addition to the same size, Aspire includes other particular amenities. According to General Manager Jeff Hamilton, “We’ve made the rooms nicer, the toiletries are different, the bedding is different, and the mattresses are going to be the softest mattresses you ever slept on,” Our experience was exactly that.

The room – calming and comfortable.

We enjoyed the Verbena scented L’Occitane toiletries and the bed that you literally had to climb UP included a perfect mattress with soft, comforting bedding.

For your many devices, there are plugs and USB ports on the bed nightstands and at the large desk area. But I couldn’t find the remote for the TV.  That’s because it all run by the complimentary mini iPad by the bed.  Not only does it control your access to the TV, and it’s over 80 channels, it offers you over 20 magazines and newspapers from all over the country – including the Washington Post, Miami Herald, and the NY Times.

The mini iPad – so much at your fingertips.

But wait, there’s more!

In addition, each room includes:

  • The most comfortable and inviting twin sofa sleeper I ever sat on.
  • High-speed Wi-Fi
  • In-Room Coffee
  • 2 bottles of water
  • Refrigerator in all rooms
  • And – wait for it – 24-hour butler service. The staff delivered a cake to our room for my pending retirement from teaching.  Thank you, Mohegan Sun.

Dinner & Breakfast at Thirty-Three

The hallway to Thirty-Three VIP Lounge

All meals at Thirty Three are served buffet style at the following times: hot breakfast with omelet station (7-11:30 a.m.), lunch (11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.), dinner (4 p.m.-close).

Dinner was similar to lunch, complete with that scrumptious lobster salad. The chef offered grilled center-cut lamb chop on mashed potatoes, cold stone crab legs, a pasta dish made to order and a chicken dish as the main entrees. Same great hospitality and service throughout – they even remembered our drinks from lunch.

Breakfast entree was an omelette station, blueberry crusted french toast, salmon, bacon & homefries to accompany the beautiful array of breads, bagels, and fruit.

Aspire at Mohegan Sun – Service and Hospitality

Every associate we met and spoke to was gracious and helpful; going out their way to make sure we were enjoying our stay.  The staff greeted us with smiles and the kind of service you’d expect from a 5 Star Hotel.

As I said, we would stay there again with a deal like this.  Add to that the fact it was Status Mayhem Promotion Day just made it even better.  And we even took in the comedy show at Comix.

Related Posts – Mohegan Sun “Status Mayhem” – A Great Low Roller Promo &  Comix Roadhouse at Mohegan Sun Opens

What a great start to my retirement.  But don’t wait for YOUR retirement to stay at Aspire, because you’ll be missing out on a great staycation.

Thanks to Michael Trager of TravelZork and his new venture with Las Vegas Advisor called THE TRAVEL GAME. 

Binbin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New England Casino Expansion – A Look at Past and Present

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New England Casino Coverage!

The dust is beginning to settle in New England’s State legislatures. As gambling continues to expand in the northeast, there are bound to be winners and losers. It’s hard to say who will be the real winners and losers in the New England Casino Expansion story. At this point, I can at least speculate, can’t I?

New England Expansion Winners

Massachusetts is a big winner with MGM Springfield & Encore Boston Harbor anchoring the Bay State. They are two of the biggest players in the casino industry.and brings lots of advantages to this young gambling market.

Rhode Island casinos are winners with the addition of sports betting. Unfortunately, the revenue from sports betting hasn’t lived up to expectations, but it is improving.

But, the New England Casino Expansion has produced one major group of winners – New England’s resident gamblers.  Competition between the three southern New England states has given New England residents new gambling options & conditions to choose from.  Links to reward clubs such as MLife, Wynn Red Card, and the change of Penn National to Choice Rewards gives a national connection coast to coast. Promotions and entertainment offerings have also seen a greater competition, which only translates as a positive for consumers.

New England Expansion Losers

Who are the potential losers in this expansion?  Well, depending upon future growth, some of the winners may also be partial losers.

Connecticut casinos have been seen as the biggest losers by the yearly decline in revenue of approximately 7-9% each month. But, because of recent talks with Bridgeport and the CT legislature, the future seems brighter.  With the federal approval for the casino venture in East Windsor, Connecticut could have a third casino on the Massachusetts border, just 10 minutes away from MGM Springfield. The two CT tribes – Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans – could have their joint venture, Tribal Winds, up and running by 2021.

And Connecticut could reverse the tables on MGM International.  Recent talks with Bridgeport & CT legislators could continue the monopoly of gaming and the expected revenue in the state.  With an open bidding process, the Constitution State would lose 25% of all slot revenue from both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun.

An artist’s rendering of the proposed MGM Bridgeport casino. (Image: MGM Resorts International)

Plainridge Casino’s Caught In Between

Plainridge Park Casino and Raceway could the biggest loser.  This quaint first Massachusetts casino in Plainville Massachusetts opened in 2015.  Penn National has been building loyal patrons ever since, slowly increasing revenue to surrounding communities and the Bay State. Plainridge has one glaring problem – its slots only, and has no hotel. And they are surrounded by competition. Twin River Casino & Hotel is ten minutes away with over twice the slots, tons of table games, and more dining options. Remember, they also have legalized sports betting.

The New England Casino Expansion of Encore Boston Harbor will also present a huge problem for Plainridge. The newest New England Casino is only 50 minutes away –  a big, beautiful resort offering all the amenities and gambling options you’d expect from from Wynn Resorts. Also, the CT casinos are just over an hour away.

How will Plainridge survive? The Massachusetts Gaming Commission must change the original gaming rules so it can expand, include table games, and add a hotel. However, it doesn’t look to happen soon. Let’s hope that this Plainville Property hangs until then.

The race to more Sports Betting

I believe the finish line to the Legal Sport Betting finish line will be as follows:

Win – Rhode Island, if they add mobile online betting in Rhode Island.

Place – Massachusetts.  It will take longer than expected, but eventually they will get it right. As heard on the Art In The Game podcast recently, guest Dustin Gouker suggested multiple vendors would be best, giving competitive lines and bonuses to MA residents. RI uses only one, William Hill, and is run by the RI Lottery.

Show – Maine & New Hampshire. (tie)  Yes, they both will beat out CT.  Again, it will  be a slow process, but the Maine legislature is more apt to pass it before a third casino for their tribal communities.  New Hampshire has already passed a beginning bill concerning legal sports betting.

NO Show – Connecticut.  It’s very complicated. If the tribes don’t get the sole ownership of legal sports betting, they see it as breaking the gaming pact first established in 1992. So many want a piece of the sports betting pie – OTB, KENO operators, and the LOTTERY. We will see a prolonged stalemate on this one.

Related Post – Gambling Legislation Updates in New England

THE ORIGINAL WINNERS – ONCE ENEMIES

The Pequot and Mohegan Tribes were once one tribe. But war with colonists, differences with other tribes, and different tribal and colonial alliances caused a split that continues to this day. Over 250 years after the Pequot War (which almost eradicated the entire Pequot Nation), a bingo hall rose on what was left of the Mashantucket Pequot reservation in 1985.

Previous to 1992, both tribes fought for federal & state recognition as well as keeping land claims. Then governor Weicker agreed to give the Pequots a monopoly on slot machines in return for 25 percent of the slot machine revenue with the state guaranteed $160 Million. A year later, in 1993, the Pequots  agreed to share the gaming business with the Mohegans, a tribe with whom they have lived for centuries, but the Indian monopoly is extended to all casino games.

NEW ENGLAND CASINO EXPANSION – 1992 to the PRESENT

Foxwoods started it all with a Bingo hall.

Foxwoods started it all with a Bingo hall.

  • 1992 – first New England Casino as Foxwoods opens its doors in Mashantucket, CT
  • 1992 – Rhode Island approves VLT gaming machines (class II) at Lincoln Greyhound Park & Newport Jai Alai
  • 1996 – the Mohegan Tribe opens the second NE casino in Uncasville, CT
  • 2005 – Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway opens in Bangor, Maine
  • 2007 – Lincoln Greyhound Park turns into Twin River Casino with class III gaming; Newport soon follows
  • 2008 – MGM joins Foxwoods with additional hotel / casino
  • 2011 – MA legislature approves construction of 3 casinos
  • 2012 – Oxford Casino opens in Oxford, Maine, making two casinos in Maine
  • 2015 – Plainridge Park opens in Plainville, MA, first of three casinos  at – slots only.
  • 2017 – Oxford Casino opens Hotel and casino expansion
  • 2018 – Newport Grand closes; MA opens 2nd Casino, first full casino, in Springfield; Twin River Group moves Newport Grand operations to newly opened Tiverton Casino & Hotel; Twin River Casino opens new hotel; RI casinos offer first legal sports betting
  • 2019 – MA opens third casino in Everett, Encore Boston Harbor

Related Post – New England Casinos – How Many by 2022?

Gambling Options Before 1992

Casino gambling found a home in the 1800’s in Newport, Rhode Island, not to mention the numerous greyhound, horse tracks and  parimutuel parlors throughout New England. Jai Alai frontons in Milford & Hartford CT, and Newport, RI were also popular for a while in the 1970 – 90s until Foxwoods opened. Rhode Island’s Lincoln Greyhound Park became Twin River Casino later.greyhound

The Many Casinos That Never made it

New England has had more casino proposals not come to fruition than the Las Vegas Strip. For those of you living here, remember these possibilities?

  • Penn National Casino in Springfield, MA (2013)
  • Caesars Casino proposal in Boston, MA (2013) partnering with Suffolk Downs
  • Mohegan Sun Casino proposal in Palmer MA (2013)
  • Hard Rock International Casino proposal in West Springfield MA (2013)
  • Mashpee Wampanoag “First Light” Casino in Tauton MA (2013) [not daed yet]
  • Nunes/Foxwoods Casino proposal in Milford MA (2013)
  • Rush Gaming Slots-only proposal in Worcester MA (2013)
  • Racino proposal in Scarborough ME (2013)
  • Cordish Gaming Slots-only proposal in Foxboro MA (2013)
  • Penn National opts out of Casino in Springfield, MA, to set sites on slots-only in Plainville (2013)
  • New Hampshire proposes three separate casinos (2012, 2013, 2015), but none to show for it.
  • The Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians casino proposals ME
  • Mohegan Sun Casino proposal for Revere MA (after MGM chosen for Springfield (2014)
  • Maine Casino Proposal @Scarborough Downs (2014)
  • Foxwoods Casino Proposal in New Bedford MA (2014)
  • Rush Gaming Casino in Brockton MA (2014 – 2018)
  • York Casino Proposal ME (2015, 2017)

    Foxwoods New Bedford (top), Rush Gaming’s Brockton Proposal, which is hanging on by a thread.

For now, there are  9 casinos when Encore Boston Harbor opens. And now, the plot thickens………

Binbin