Foxwoods was New England’s first casino and it is now the second largest casino in the world.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe which operates Foxwoods had to sue the state to allow the casino to open. They argued that since the state legally permitted “Las Vegas Nights,” where low-stakes casino games were operated to benefit charities, then the tribe should be entitled to do the same. Eventually, they won their case before the U.S. Supreme Court and  began construction of their casino which was financed by a Malaysian conglomerate (after 22 U.S. lenders turned down  their loan requests).

When the casino first opened in February 1992, slot machines were not permitted. In January 1993 a deal was made between Governor Weicker and the Pequots which gave the tribe the exclusive right to offer slot machines in return for a yearly payment of 25% of the gross slot revenue. The agreement was subject to cancellation, however, if the state allowed slot machines anywhere else in Connecticut.

In early 1994 the Mohegan tribe signed a compact with the state that allows them to offer casino gambling at their reservation in Uncasville (map location #2). The Pequots gave permission for the Mohegans to have slot machines in their casino. The same 25% of the gross slot revenue payment schedule also applies to the Mohegans. The payment schedules are subject to cancellation, however, if the state legalizes any other form of casino gambling. The Mohegan casino opened in October 1996.

In May, 2008 a new casino was added at Foxwoods.in partnership with Las Vegas-based MGM/MIRAGE Corporation. Although MGM Grand at Foxwoods is a separate hotel and casino, its gaming machine revenue firgures are incorporated with those of Foxwoods.

The minimum gambling age at both properties is 18 for bingo and 21 for the casino. Both casinos are open 24 hours. For information on visiting Connecticut call the state’s Vacation Center at (800) 282-6863 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (800) 282-6863 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit their website at http://www.ctbound.org/

The games offered at Foxwoods are:  blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, mini-baccarat, big six (money wheel), pai gow poker, pai gow tiles, Caribbean stud poker, Texas Hold’ Em bonus poker, Let it Ride, casino war, Spanish 21, Three-Card poker, Crazy 4 poker and poker; in addition to bingo, keno and pull tabs.  There is also a Race Book offering off-track betting on horses, greyhounds and jai-alai.  

The following information is from Connecticut’s Division of Special Revenue regarding MGM Grand and Foxwoods’ slot payback percentages:

These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each denomination of slot machine from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. Foxwoods’ total win on its slot machines during that year was slightly more than $708 million and of that amount 25%, or slightly more than $177 million, was paid to the state.

The games offered at  Mohegan Sun are: blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, mini-baccarat, pai gow, wheel of fortune, bingo, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride, Spanish 21, casino war, sic bo and keno. There is also a Race Book offering off-track betting on horses, greyhounds and jai-alai.

Here's information from Connecticut's Division of Special Revenue regarding Mohegan Sun's slot payback percentages:

These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each denomination of slot machine from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009.

The total win on all of the Mohegan Sun slot machines during that period was slightly more than $802 million and of that amount 25%, or slightly more than $200 million, was paid to the state.

Shown below are the three Connecticut casinos. Click on a name to see a page of detailed information about that particular casino.

• Foxwoods Resort Casino
• MGM Grand at Foxwoods
• Mohegan Sun Casino