Celebrate Father’s Day Dining Promotions at Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods & MGM Springfield, or, check out any of the dining options at all eight of our New England Casinos below:
Father’s Day Dining Promotions at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville CT
Hash House A Go Go has created hearty home – style brunch and dinner specials; Michael Jordan’s 23.sportcafe specials; The first 23 dads who order Michael Jordan’s steak of choice at Michael Jordan’s Steak House (the Prime Delmonico) will take home an engraved steak knife to memorialize their meal; The Lansdowne Irish Pub & Music House & SolToro has dining specials as well.
Inside the “Art of Shaving” at Mohegan Sun
The Art of ShavingThe Art of Shaving has a Father’s Day special available from May 28th – June 17th. Guests who spend a minimum of $75.00 can choose between a free facial wash, facial scrub, hair styling product or overnight balm. Guests who spend a minimum of $150.00 can pick two items of their choice. And those who spend a minimum of $250.00 will have the choice of three
For the full list of Father’s day specials CLICK HERE
Father’s Day Dining Promotions at Foxwoods, Mashantucket, CT
Reopened Foxwoods Buffet, now named Rainmaker Buffet
Father’s Day at Foxwoods offers dining specials. Offers include the Veranda Cafe’s Grilled Ribeye & the Golden Dragon’s Korean Steak Tips, and of course the newly reopened Rainmaker Buffet.
Father’s Day Dining Promotions at MGM SPRINGFIELD, Springfield MA
MGM Springfield is offering a Father’s Day BBQ at TAP Patio from 11am-9pm, entertainment on the Plaza, and in Topgolf, customize your own cigar, take your best swing at the “closest to the pin” competition, and sip on your favorite bourbons at their barrel tasting.
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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 Racewaycould 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.
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.
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
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.
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………
Once each year, I pause the gambling news and hype to be sure we look at the seriousness of problem gambling. March is Problem Gambling Awareness month. It comes at a perfect time in New England in 2019 when the expansion of gambling continues at a feverish pitch. The addition of legal sports betting in Rhode Island, and probably other states in our region by the end of the year, brings more concern to those who might battle gambling additions. ,
MARCH IS PROBLEM GAMBLING AWARENESS MONTH!
Problem Gambling Awareness Month (PGAM) is a grassroots campaign that depends on the participation of NCPG state Affiliate, organizational and individual members, state health agencies, gambling companies, recovery groups and a wide range of healthcare organizations and providers.
Approximately 2 million (1%) of U.S. adults are estimated to meet criteria for pathological gambling, another 4-6 million (2-3%) would be considered problem gamblers; yet for many, gambling remains a hidden addiction. As March Madness reaches a crescendo with an estimated $10 billion in bets placed on the NCAA basketball championship games, calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-522-4700) spike an average of 30% during the month
In 2017, according to an info-graphic released by the NCPG, problem gambling accounted for $7 billion in the US annually due to addiction, bankruptcy, and crime. Of the estimated five million Americans who already meet the criteria for gambling addiction, three in four have problems with alcohol, 38 percent use or have used illegal drugs, and 20 percent have attempted or committed suicide.
Changing Tide
According to the American Gambling Association, new research released shows that “with American acceptance of gaming at an all-time high, casino gamblers are actively practicing responsible gaming….. Bettors report setting budgets, sticking to them and being aware of available responsible gaming resources at significantly high rates.”
PREVENTION: This month SEIGMA researchers will release evidence-based guidelines designed to help Massachusetts residents make informed decisions about gambling behavior. The upcoming report Low-Risk Gambling Guidelines for Massachusetts defines the point at which level of gambling engagement (i.e. frequency and expenditure) increases risk.RESEARCH: This month the MGC will select organizations to conduct Community-Driven Research. The research objective is to provide communities with the opportunity to define the issue or question relating to the introduction of casino gambling in Massachusetts. This initiative puts the community first and emphasizes collaboration between researchers.EDUCATION: MGC continues to generate awareness about its popular, responsible gaming program GameSenseand is working closely with GameSense Advisorsat Plainridge Park Casino and MGM Springfield to host a series of activities for casino employees. As the eyes and ears of the casino, employees play a key role in identifying persons who may be struggling with gambling. Educating casino staff about available programs and resources has increased benefit because research identifies gaming employees as being at a greater risk of developing a gambling problem.COMMUNICATION: Throughout the month, MGC will implement a digital campaign across its multiple social media channels to promote awareness and educate the public about MGC’s voluntary self-exclusion program and the Massachusetts Council on Compulsive Gambling helpline.
COLLABORATION: Plainridge Park Casino employees will wear GameSense-branded PGAM buttons throughout the month. MGM Springfield produced a “Fact or Myth” video featuring a GameSense Advisor and the educational video will be shown to employees at multiple MGM properties.
SUPPORT: MGC supports the Cambridge Health Alliance’s ‘Gambling Disorder Screening Day’ taking place on March 12, 2019. On the same day, GameSense Advisors will offer problem gambling screening at Plainridge Park Casino and MGM Springfield.
Kudos to MGM International for implementing GameSense at its resorts in Las Vegas and elsewhere around the country, not just in Springfield where it is required.
Gambling Companies Also Looking to Help
Everi, IGT, and Aristocrat are only a few of the gambling industry giants working with the AGA create responsible gambling. Check out these articles from the AGA’s website:
Every casino in New England has some form of help, from self-exclusion programs, live chat link on websites for immediate help, or state hotlines like Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling. For more information on problem gambling, go to the National Council on Problem Gambling website. Help each other if your friends, family or children seem to be spending money they don’t have. If you have questions or concerns about your own gambling, take the 20 Question Check at Gambler’s Anonymous. Wouldn’t it be great to not have to worry?
Binbin – Embrace the Awareness of Responsible Gambling
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission
Kudos to MGM International for implementing