Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Introduction to Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Connecticut slot machine casino gambling consists entirely of two American Indian tribal casinos, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard and Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville. Foxwoods consistently ranks as being one of the top 10 largest casinos in the world.

Another Connecticut casino has being planned to be built in East Windsor, intended as a satellite casino to “blunt the competitive threat” of a planned MGM casino and entertainment complex just across the northern border in Springfield, Massachusetts expected to open in August 2018..

In May 2018, a bill submitted to the Connecticut state legislature for an MGM International Resorts casino in Bridgeport was not approved after “a monumental struggle and heavy lobbying”. Expectations are that it will be submitted again for state approval in 2019.

This post continues the weekly blog series Online Resource: State-By-State Slots Gambling Summaries, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts to success. Each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.

Row of Farmall Tractors in a Field (Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018)

Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Connecticut*

The minimum gambling age in Connecticut depends upon the gambling activity:

Land-Based Casinos: 21.
Poker Rooms: 21.
Bingo: 18.
Lottery: 18.
Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18.

Pari-mutuel wagering has had a long history in Connecticut, with many changes. While multiple dog, horse, and jai alai race tracks were once available, the last of these closed in 2005.

However, pari-mutuel wagering is still available at 16 off-track betting (OTB) facilities, including at Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun. Besides these two tribal casinos, other OTB locations in Connecticut do not offer any electronic gaming machines such as slots.

The Connecticut state government has a Division of Legalized Gambling website as well as negotiated Connecticut tribal-state compacts with its two federally recognized American Indian tribes.

Connecticut’s two federally-recognized tribes are the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, operators of Foxwoods, and the Mohegan Tribe who operates the Mohegan Sun casino. Both tribes are expected to operate a satellite casino planned for East Windsor together, off their mutual tribal reservations.

*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws apply to various forms of gambling. This information is not intended to provide legal advice.

Hartford State Capital Building (Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018)

Slot Machine Private Ownership in Connecticut

It is illegal to privately own a slot machine in the state of Connecticut.

Gaming Control Board in Connecticut

State gaming commissions can be of several types, including a State Lottery, Charitable Gaming, Legalized Gambling, and any legally required oversight divisions created due to the terms of any existing tribal-state compacts.

In the state of Connecticut, the previously existing state lottery control board was transferred to the Connecticut Lottery Corporation in 1996.

While pari-mutual wagering is legal in Connecticut, there are currently no open dog, horse, or jal alai race tracks. There is, however, over a dozen off-track betting (OTB) facilities, including at both tribal casinos.

These OTB locations, operated by Sportech PLC, are regulated by the state through its Gaming Division within the Department of Consumer Protection. This gaming control board is also responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance of the tribal-state compacts.

Norwalk Light House Walk-Up with Full Moon (Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018)

Casinos in Connecticut

There are 2 American Indian tribal casinos in Connecticut. The largest casino in Connecticut is Foxwoods Casino Resort in Ledyard, officially having 4,733 gaming machines in June 2018.

The second largest casino in Connecticut is currently its other casino, Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, officially having 4,097 gaming machines in June 2018.

If the MGM International Resorts in Springfield is approved, built, and opened, perhaps as early as 2022, it is expected to become the second largest casino in Connecticut.

Non-Tribal Casinos in Connecticut

There are no non-tribal gambling establishments offering slot machine gambling currently available in Connecticut.

American Indian Casinos in Connecticut

The two American Indian tribal casinos in Connecticut are:

Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, located 50 miles southeast of Hartford and, alternatively, 60 miles southwest of Providence, Rhode Island.
Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, owned and operated by the Mohegan Tribe, located 17 miles west of Foxwoods Casino.

Autumn Pumpkin Patch with Fall Colors (Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018)

Other Gambling Establishments in Connecticut

As an alternative to enjoying Connecticut slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state.

Connecticut is bordered by:

Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that bordering state to Connecticut.

Note that the highly anticipated opening of the MGM Springfield just across Connecticut’s northern border in Springfield, Massachusetts is expected on August 24, 2018.

Payout Returns in Connecticut

Maximum and minimum theoretical payout return limits were not legally defined in the negotiated tribal-state gaming compacts. However, the tribes are required to report actual payout return statistics to the state of Connecticut.

The state of Connecticut provides payout return percentages by month, year and casino on their Gaming Division website under Statistics for Tribal Casinos. These actual payout return statistics go back as far as 1993 for Foxwoods and 1996 for Mohegan Sun.

Further, the American Casino Guide online entry for Connecticut offers annual, rather than monthly, payout return statistics for each casino.

Moreover, ACG also provides the actual payout return percentages for each denomination of slot machine, which they claim was provided by Connecticut’s Gaming Division.

Mark Twain House and Museum in West Hartford (Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018)

Summary of Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2018

Connecticut slot machine casino gambling currently consists of two American Indian casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. These tribal casinos are situated within a few miles from each other, located on their respective tribal reservations.

The Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods casinos compete, always striving to be best by constantly upgrading their facilities. This ongoing competition is to the great advantage of their patrons as well as resulting in a world-wide reputation.

Two other casinos are planned, including a soon-to-open large casino complex in Springfield, Massachusetts as well as a state approved but smaller satellite tribal casino located not far away in East Windsor in northern Connecticut.

Annual Progress in Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling

Over the last year, Foxwoods Casino has fallen from its former position as the second largest casino in the world. It is now ranked as at least fifth place, after the opening of several other casinos, including those newly opened in Oklahoma.

Otherwise, some progress has been made toward opening a satellite tribal casino in East Windsor. This casino, to be operated jointly by both of Connecticut’s federally-recognized tribes, is an attempt to offer gambling to nearby residents prior to an out-of-state casino being opened just across the state border in Massachusetts.

2017 Archive: Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling 2017 – Connecticut slot machine casino gambling currently consists of 18 casinos, and hosts two of the world’s largest casinos: Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Foxwoods is the world’s second largest casino. They compete, striving to be best by constantly upgrading their facilities, resulting in both earning a world-wide reputation.