The New England Casino Gambling History has been much like a horse race. To begin with, it was a slow trot for New England to socially approve of gambling. Soon, it changed to a full sprint. In fact, there is no finish line in sight. With the word “saturation” thrown around annually, casino expansion continues. The future looks to include sports betting, casinos in Bridgeport, CT., East Windsor, CT., and southeastern Massachusetts.
With the future uncertain, let’s look back to see how we got here. In any event, let’s look back at New England Gambling History.
My interest in gambling began with playing card games such as cribbage and Michigan Rummy. With visits to Hartford Jai-Alai and Plainfield Greyhound Racetrack during my twenties, my interest grew. In fact, visits to the Sands in Atlantic City, Foxwoods Bingo Hall and future CT casinos made me even more curious.
“Roll the Bones” by Dr. David Schwartz
One of my favorite books is“Roll the Bones” by Dr. David Schwartz. In his book, Dr. Dave explains that “….the human predilection for a wager shaped human history from the Ice Age to the Information Age. People spend nearly one trillion dollars worldwide on gambling a year–wouldn’t you like to learn a little about how we got there?” The fact is, I did!.
New England played a big part in the assertion of gambling in America. According to the California State Library, English settlers differed from their Puritanical neighbors in New England in many ways. Settlers influenced the early colonies to continue traditional styles of living in a new world. Gambling was considered a “harmless diversion, a popular and accepted activity.” Lotteries were used to bail out the Early Colonies. Financial backers of the colonies began to see gambling as the solution to diminishing finances needed for the war effort. All 13 original colonies established lotteries, usually more than one, to raise revenue. Lotteries continue to be a main source of revenue for all six New England states.
Once Upon a time….
The Pequot War of 1637 set the stage for the separation of Pequot and Mohegan tribes.
The Pequot and Mohegan Tribes were once one tribe. Due to the Pequot War, both tribes ended up with differences with other tribes. On the whole, different tribal and colonial alliances caused a split that continues to this day. Over 250 years later, a bingo hall in 1985 began the history of gaming in New England.
I should mention that gambling found a homes in New England with greyhound & horse tracks, parimutuel parlors, and Jai alai frontons in Milford & Hartford CT, and Newport, RI. However, in the past ten years, the horse-racing industry has seen a major decrease in raceway operations. In addition,Jai-Alai has moved out of those states, and parimutuel parlors continue to diminish in visitors. Conversely, with the future of sports betting, parimutuel parlors may rise in popularity again.
In essence, here is NETG’s look back at the journey of legalized gambling in New England below.
New England Casino Gambling History Timeline
Foxwoods Started it all with Bingo.
1992
The first New England Casino opens with Foxwoods opening its doors in Mashantucket, CT
The Rainmaker at Foxwoods
Rhode Island approves VLT gaming machines (classII) at Lincoln Greyhound Park & Newport Jai Alai
1996
The Mohegan Tribe opens the second NE casino in Uncasville, CT
A Dollar Coin from Mohegan Sun Opening
2005
Hollywood Slots Hotel & Raceway opens in Bangor, Maine
Hollywood Casino, Bangor Maine
2007
Lincoln Greyhound Park turns into Twin River Casino with class III gaming. Similarly, Newport Grand soon follows, redesigning without Jai-Alai
2008
MGM joins Foxwoods with additional hotel / casino
MGM Tower at Foxwoods – Right side.
The Expansion begins
2011
MA legislature approves Expanded Gaming Act allows construction of 3 Resort casinos & one “slot’s only casino”
2012
Oxford Casino opens in Oxford, Maine
Oxford Casino, Maine
2013
MGM pulls out of it’s Foxwoods partnership
MGM Ends Agreement with Foxwoods
2015
Plainridge Park Casino Opens at Plainridge Raceway as the first Massachusetts casino (slots-only)
Plainridge Park Casino in Massachusetts
2018
A Big Year for New England Casinos and Hotels
Oxford Casino, Oxford ME, adds Hotel, expanded casino and Ox Pu
Oxford Hotel & Casino
MGM Springfield Resort Casino opens
MGM Springfield
Newport Grand Slots Casino closes
Newport Grand Slots, Newport, RI
Tiverton Casino & Hotel opens
Tiverton Casino/ Hotel.
Twin River Casino adds Hotel
Twin River Hotel Lobby
Mohegan Sun opens Earth Expo Center
Mohegan Expo Center
Rhode Island approves and opens the first Sports Betting in New England
Opening day of Phase I Sports Book at Twin River Casino
2019
Encore Boston Harbor to open in the fall
Encore Boston Harbor rendition, courtesy of Encore Boston Harbor pressroom
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10 New England Casinos by 2022? Maybe. I love to speculate about the future of gaming in New England. Whether it’s 10 or more by 2022, it’s time to bring out my inner Zoltar and look ahead.
While there may be changes along the way, the final New England Casino Portfolio could look something like this:
Maine – 2 Comercial Casinos/1 Tribal (possible)
Hollywood Casino, Hotel & Raceway in Bangor, ME. Owner – Penn National Oxford Casino, Oxford ME. Owner – Churchill Downs LLC.Hampton Inn at
The Oxford Casino expansion included casino space, food options, and its own hotel. Along with the Hampton Inn across the street, the two hotels have increased visitation and revenue. However, the same can’t be said for Hollywood Bangor, which seems to be going in the opposite direction. The legislature denied a third Maine casino three times.
New Oxford Hotel
Meanwhile, the Maine legislature has introduced two initiatives.
Sports betting could be a factor, with two brick-and-mortar casinos already running. Because state laws against it would have to be repealed, it is still a string possibility. Maine lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow the state’s tribes to operate another casino, and is drawing a lot of opposition. The proposal would allow the participating tribes, the Passamaquoddy, the Penobscot Nation, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians to jointly operate a casino. The casino would have slot machines at an undetermined location at least 50 miles from either the Bangor or Oxford County casinos, who are lobbying against it.
Plainridge Casino (Slots only) & Raceway, Plainville, MA. Owner – Penn National Encore Boston Harbor, Everett, MA. Owner – Wynn Resorts . MGM Springfield, Springfield, MA. Owner – MGM Resorts International
After the series of inquiries into inappropriate behavior of Steve Wynn and other staff, Encore Boston Harbor developer Wynn Resorts announced that it had paid a $35 million fine. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission imposed the fine on in the wake of sexual misconduct accusations against its former CEO and founder, Steve Wynn. It will now open on June 23.
First Light Resort, the 4th possible Massachusetts Casino, is slated for Taunton, MA. Owner – Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal NationTribal Council. The First Light casino, hotel and entertainment complex will be built on a 151-acre industrial park that is part of the tribe’s designated federal reservation. It has been stalled due to a lawsuit brought on by a group of Taunton residents.
First Light Resort Casino, Wampanoag Tribe, Taunton may never see completion.
Recently, the U.S. House of Representatives looked to fast-track a bill aimed at ending a legal challenge to the Mashpee Wampanoag reservation, according to sources close to the process. Should the bill succeed in Congress and be signed into law, its passage couldn’t be more timely for the tribe, which is contending with a final installment of loan dollars from its financial backer, Genting Malaysia
Slipping under the national radar is the The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) teaming up with the Chickasaw nation. The federal appeals court and the U.S. Supreme Court have given approval for the tribe to move forward with plans to develop a casino on their land. They will operate a Class II gaming facility, with classII slot machines, bingo based games to be played inside their Bingo Hall. Work on the Aquinnah Cliffs Casino began in February after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up a legal challenge from the state and town. Construction halted amidst that latest dispute.
Rhode Island – 2 Casinos
Twin River Casino (with expanded Hotel), Lincoln, RI. Owner – Twin River Management Group Tiverton Resort, Tiverton, RI. Owner – Twin River Management Group.
Proposed Tiverton Casino
Nothing new in Rhode Island since both casinos have the only legal sports betting in New England. And both Casinos have hotels. Twin River Management group bough the now defunct Newport Grand and moved that operation to the new Tiverton facility two years ago.
Connecticut – 2 Tribal Casinos / 1 Tribal (Probable) 1 in Bridgeport (possible tribal or Commercial)
Foxwoods Resort Casino, Mashatucket, CT. Owner – The Mashentucket Pequot Tribal Nation Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, Uncasville, CT. Owner – The Mohegan Tribe of CT
No further expansion is seen at the Mega-Resorts of Mohegan Sun & Foxwoods, although the Sun has added the largest Resort Expo Center on the east coast. The third casino in CT is a joint venture between the two tribes. Unfortunately, it was held up by the Bureau of Indian Affairs concerning a casino on non-tribal lands.Since the federal department signed off on the Mashantucket Pequot amendment, the third casino can be built. It had previously signed off on the Mohegan Tribal Nation agreement, which preserved the tribe’s revenue sharing and exclusivity agreement with the state of Connecticut. The decision paves the way for construction to begin on the Tribal Winds Casino in East Windsor.
MGM is pushing for a 4th CT Casino in Bridgeport. It’s still in the preliminary stage with MGM and their lobbyists aiming to change the tribal pact. The agreement gives the tribes exclusive rights in exchange for 25% of slot revenue to Connecticut. MGM International wants an open bid policy for any southwestern CT casino near the New York City area. But, within the current CT legislature session, the tribes have been talking with Bridgeport officials. So, now, a deal seems close that would deliver a casino resort worth at least $350 million. MGM Resorts International’s larger plan for Bridgeport harbor could be in jeopardy because of this new deal
Zoltar is tired and I’ve run out of nickels. The possible total casino in New England is now 13, if all get built. Time to sit back and let the future unfold.
When I first started NETimeGambling, I hoped that New England would have become the Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi of the northeast, an extended area of casinos offering gamblers the variety and quality to go along with the area’s historical and cultural tourism.
Was I naive or what? Just watching the nasty competition between the casino industry in Massachusetts and Connecticut proves that. This law suit, this rumor, that accusation – all for the almighty buck with little consideration for consumers, residents and players, let alone the New England Tourist industry. Although community recognition and financial help and development is included in many expansions, we all know they wouldn’t do it if they didn’t have to in getting that gaming license – it’s all business and bean-counting to them.
Yes, my early naivete has changed to a growing cynicism. The last two years have allowed negative thoughts from the dark side of the gambling industry to infiltrate the hopes and dreams of a bustling tourist industry. Fees, higher house odds, diminishing comps, and rewards clubs cutbacks in awards have tainted my outlook, as well as many of us in the casino community.
Am I bitter?…..A little. But great competition, as vile and ornery as it may be, is still in the consumer’s benefit. We can only hope it continues to bring greater value to our gambling guests in New England without jobs and community assistance lost.
OUR 6TH ANNIVERSARY!
This month marks our 6th year anniversary of NETimeGambling.com. So much of our casino landscape has changed and continues to evolve. Let’s look at the beginning of NETimeGambling and see what we were writing about in 2012. As this article enfolds, certain corrections, additions, opinions and explanations will be added to bring the last six years up date. These comments will be bold, italicized and green so you can’t missed them.
CHRISTMAS PAST – 2012
The finished 3600 seat Bingo Hall was the keystone for the World’s largest casino that would be Foxwoods
The beginning of casino gambling in New England began in both Connecticut and Rhode Island. In 1992 with Foxwoods opening its doors in Mashantucket, CT, and that same year Rhode Island approved VLT gaming machines (classII) at Lincoln Greyhound Park & Newport Jai Alai casinos. For a short history of casino gambling in New England, go to NEW ENGLAND CASINO HISTORY
When NETG started covering New England’s casinos, revenue had continued due to the recession of 2007. Let’s see what each state was up to…..
In 2012, our first year of blogging, Connecticut’s two behemoth casinos were feeling the pinch of the recession. Layoffs occurred and revenue to the state declined. The large retail addition and hotel at Mohegan Sun were put on hold indefinitely. MGM & Foxwoods parted ways, and other CT tribes also wanted a part of the casino pie. Luckily, they were still the only place around – but not for long. Rhode Island had seen a slight increase with hopes to get its table games up and running to take away from CT’s two Mega-casinos and before MA casinos were to be built. (Twin River received local approval for table games, Newport Grand slot parlor did not. In retrospect, Foxwoods saw a great expected loss in players than Mohegan Sun.)
Massachusetts intended to add three, if not four, casinos within three years to take back the revenue lost in RI & CT.
Massachusetts Regions for full casinos. Doesn’t include Mashpee Wampanoags in Taunton or Plainridge Park Slot Parlor in Plainville
New Hampshire wanted to keep their citizens and revenue at home as well, so they considered legalizing gambling. (Three times, only to be turned down all three times. While NH has a budding community poker business, there is no casino in site.)
Maine had two casinos in 2012, one with a hotel and one considering hotel expansion.
And lest we forget that Atlantic City was still reeling from the recession and the arrogant denial as a day-tripping only destination. Completion and expansion from the likes of PA, NY, CT and DEL, and New Jersey’s own consideration of statewide gaming soon saw the demise of the East Coast’s #1 gambling Destination. Atlantic City was already down to 9 Casinos, soon to be 7. (While this sounds dire – and it was – it is nice to see a recent resurgence at America’s Playground.)
CHRISTMAS PRESENT 2018
Mohegan Sun Earth Tower to the right.
Connecticut casinos had stabilized a bit, with positive revenue months becoming more frequent. Then MGM Springfield opened. Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun would collaborate in opening a casino in East Windsor to counteract the opening of MGM Springfield and keep more gaming dollars in Connecticut. The Department of the Interior needed to approve the third casino but the request went unanswered for months, with intense lobbying by MGM. (With a new governor in CT and the rotating door policy in the Trump administration, hope is still alive for the joint casino at the CT/MA border in East Windsor, but there are still a lot of hoops left for sure.)
Mohegan Sun pushed forward, adding another hotel and a huge convention space addition – the largest expo space along the New York-Boston I-95 corridor. The Mohegan Sun Arena, voted Arena of the year numerous times, continues to be the entertainment jewel of New England’s casinos.
Foxwoods tried a different route to make itself a destination to stay for gamblers and families alike. Numerous “thrill rides” have been added and family entertainment continues, while it’s Dance Clubs try to entice younger guests to the premises. With the most hotel rooms onsite of any New England Casino/Resort, Foxwoods is able to tease gamblers with free rooms to go along with it’s fabulous dining options. (This immense property continues to be hampered by it’s location “in the woods” in recent years, since casinos are rising up everywhere.)
Tiverton Casino/ Hotel.
Rhode Island’s dependence on gaming revenue continues. With the addition of table games, Twin River Management Group, owners of Twin River Casino & Hotel and Tiverton Casino & Hotel in Rhode Island, as well as and The Hard Rock Casino in Biloxi, stepped up the battle for casino patrons with Massachusetts by opening the new Tiverton Casino & Hotel. The Newport Grand Casino, was bought and moved to Tiverton – right on the Mass-RI border. Both Twin River and Tiverton boast hotels attached to their casinos and are now the only casinos in New England to offer Sports Betting. Twin River Casino still offers one of the top 10 largest casino floors in the country.
Massachusetts continues to add drama to casino expansion in New England. Penn National opened Plainridge Park Casino in 2015, the slots-only casino and first casino to open in Massachusetts, and has continued to build its own loyal customers. But the big news was the opening of Massachusetts’ first full fledged Las Vegas style casino – MGM Springfield. The opening was a splashing success, initiating a resurgence in Springfield’s financial future and quality of life. The style of “Industrial Chic” permeates the property as one of the recent American casinos designed for the middle of a urban area.
Inside MGM casino
Oh, by the way, did you know another casino hall is going into Eastern Massachusetts? The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) was cleared to build a class II gaming facility, or bingo hall, by the U.S. Supreme Court last January. Since then, few details have emerged about the plans, although in September the tribe’s gaming faction announced a partnership with an Oklahoma Native American gaming operation owned by the Chickasaw Nation. According to reports from tribal members, Global Gaming Solutions has agreed to invest $12 million to build a 10,000-square-foot bingo facility
The Mashpee Wampanoag’scasino in Taunton, MA, has been stalled by political red tape and completion looks bleak. The U.S. federal government, through the Department of Interior (DoI), had issued a decision stating that the the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe would not be granted the disputed land in trust for developing the First Light Resort & Casino in Taunton, South of Boston. Genting Malaysia had issued about $274 million, but construction of the resort was hampered by local residents who said the 2015 awarding of the 300 acres for putting up a casino was a misinterpretation of the Indian Reorganization Act.
New Hampshire will never approve a Las Vegas style casino for itself, but it seems the Charitable Gambling Law is alive and well in the Granite State. Poker rooms, including other table games, are increasing in popularity.
Maine’s two casinos continue to hold their own while chaos continues in southern New England. Oxford Casino expanded with added meeting space and an attached hotel. A third casino in Maine was introduced again for the York County area in a referendum for only one suitor, but, once again crashed and burned.
2018 Turmoil
Much of this past year’s expectations was marred by a downturn in reality.
All casinos saw an eventual decline in revenue – except Oxford Casino & Hotel. That dirty “S” word raised it’s ugly head again – Saturation.
Steve Wynn with his rendition of Wynn Boston Harbor
The casino mogul Steve Wynn resigned as chairman and chief executive of his company, Wynn Resorts, in response to sexual misconduct allegations spanning decades. This spawned numerous rumors of ownership and an eventual change in name for the Boston Licensed casino to Encore Boston Harbor. Construction continues to proceed on time, but The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is determining if a penalty or potential license revocation is warranted for Wynn Resorts’ $2.6 billion Encore Boston Harbor casino. The agency is investigating if the company purposely withheld knowledge of its founder’s alleged sexual misconduct during its 2013 bidding for the coveted Boston-area gaming permit. (This has caused many controversial rumors and questions. Will Caesars Entertainment, Mohegan Sun, or another industry giant step in to claim the license? Will MGM sell it’s new MGM Springfield to be able to get the Encore Boston Harbor license? Etc….. Speculation abounds)
Finally, Plainridge Park Casino & Raceway may be getting worried about it’s instate rival in Boston. Concerns are now being raised to change the license and add tabled games – a move that could save it and place more pressure on Rhode Island casinos.
CHRISTMAS FUTURE……What will 2020 Look Like?
Let me get out my crystal ball – or my magic eight ball – and look into New England’s Gambling Future…….
There will be nine casinos in four states. One class II, and one Slot’s-only. Online gambling in MA, RI, sports betting in MA, RI, NH, & CT.
Springfield, Massachusetts will continue to experience a renaissance, and MGM will continue to feel stuck owning MGM Springfield while under producing the revenue and profit expected.
Encore Boston Harbor rendition, courtesy of Boston Harbor pressroom
Encore Boston Harbor, having been fined, continues to be owned by the same company minus Steve Wynn, hosting guests from all over the U.S. with exquisite hotel accommodations, high profile dining and crappy gambling.
Connecticut casinos will have to continue to diversify. Foxwoods becomes an amusement destination as well as a casino resort. Mohegan Sun will continue construction on it’s huge project across the river of retail, housing, and wellness, including a water park.
The Norwich hospital site in Preston, to be developed by Sun. In the far top, Mohegan Sun sits
Convenience casinos such as Oxford, Hollywood, Plainridge, Tiverton, continue a status quo existence fighting for locals in Tiverton, RI., Plainville, MA., and Maine.
The Mohegan / Mashantucket tribes joint casino in East Windsor, CT will not be built. Open bidding for another casino in the southwest of CT will jeopardize the pact between the state of CT and the The Mohegan / Mashantucket tribes. Sports betting will be available at the casinos and the availability at OTB and Keno stations will definitely nullify the pact for sole rights to gambling if the open bidding process is defeated.
Conclusion
Will there ever be a vision of prosperity for casinos, with good gambling rules, free parking, more casino hotels, and patrons that are welcomed with smiling aces, appreciated and rewarded sincerely? For the sake of New England’s recreational gamblers and New England Tourism, we once again ask, “CAN WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?!!”
