Charitable Gaming in New England varies by state. Here is a brief report on Charitable Gaming in New Hampshire and Vermont. Charity gambling is a “form of incentivized giving.” The intentions are honorable. Simply said, it’s a chance for a charity group to oversee gambling activities, rather than a municipality or private casino. Many states offer usual casino games with the proceeds used to further its charity’s financial duties.
Texas Hold ’em at Rockingham Poker Room, New Hampshire
Charitable gaming in New Hampshire includes poker, bingo, Lucky 7, raffles, games of chance and card rooms. The only form of legal electronic bingo gaming is handheld electronic bingo cards. Bingo, originally “beano,” has been legal in New Hampshire since 1949. In addition, New Hampshire approved games of chance in 1977. According to Casino City, “In 2014, the governor signed a bill into law that created more oversight for the charitable gaming industry, which was estimated to produce $75 million in bets annually. The law requires the Attorney General’s office to conduct background checks on operators and limits fees operators can charge charities. At least 35% of charitable gaming profits must go to charities, under the law. In July 2018, lawmakers increased the maximum bet allowed at charitable casinos from $4 to $10.”
The Green Mountain state brings thoughts of maple syrup, dairy cows and Ben & Jerry’s – not gambling. Charitable Gaming in New Hampshire and Vermont ignores gambling around them. While surrounded by states and Canada that offer commercial and tribal gambling, Vermont has stayed away. The Vermont lottery is the main form of betting inside state lines. Charitable gambling is the only legal poker game in the state. Unfortunately, strict conditions exist for poker. To be considered legal, charities must receive the entire proceeds of the game.
According to RealMoney.com, Vermont allows Charitable gambling under strict conditions. “If the entire proceeds of a game are going to a charity, it is probably legal. Vermont has a special exception or charity bingo games that allow the handing out of small prizes. Raffles are also explicitly allowed. Furthermore, Vermont explicitly allows Vegas Nights and Poker Nights. The minimum age for all participants is 18, and the host of the event can’t be earning any profit in the role as host.”
So there you have it. We hear about Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island constantly – Maine?, not so much. Gambling is alive and well – even in those New England states considered “non-gaming.”
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
You can find this post as a permanent menu item in our header above.
With every new casino expansion, there is work to do on our New England Casinos by the Numbers Encore property specs are now in. All nine casinos / resorts are together for your comparison. Tell us what you think on the NETimeGambling Facebook group. Also, consider joining our Facebook Community “New England Casinos.”
How about some facts about our own New England Casinos you may, or may not know.
Mohegan Sun actually has three hotels – Aspire is a hotel within a hotel on the top of Sky Tower.
Two states will soon have sports betting. Rhode Island & Maine.
Foxwoods has a new CEO. John J. James. He will take the role beginning Aug. 12. He has worked in the Native American resort and gaming industry for more than 25 years.
The Buffet at MGM Springfield is at its final weekend. It received good reviews. Hopefully it will become a daily thing in the future.
While parking is paid and expensive at Encore. But for little play on your Players Club Red Card, it only costs $1 off your card points.
There are three New England tribal casinos somewhere in the process of being built:
In Massachusetts, the Aquinnah Cliffs Casino is finally under construction. Built on tribal land on Martha’s Vineyard, it will be a Class II casino.
First Light Resort, in Taunton, built by the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe. However, it seems hopelessly stuck in litigation with Taunton residents.
Tribal Winds Casino, a joint venture between the Mohegan & Pequot tribes in CT, has been approved, but has not been started due to numerous gambling considerations, especially sports betting.
The state with the most poker rooms is New Hampshire with twelve. Many offer other table games and all legal under the Charitable Gaming Law.
Most slots? – Mohegan Sun. Most Hotel rooms? – Foxwoods. Fully non-smoking casinos? – all in Maine and Massachusetts.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg, as they say. Enjoy.
