Introduction to Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 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 is 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.
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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 and horse tracks as well as jai alai 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.
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.
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.
List of Casinos in Connecticut
There are no non-tribal gambling establishments offering slot machine gambling currently available in Connecticut.
List of Tribal 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.
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Connecticut slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state.
Connecticut is bordered by:
- North: Massachusetts Slots.
- East: Rhode Island Slots.
- West: New York Slots.
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.
Summary of Connecticut Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 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 in 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
Related Articles from Professor Slots
- Foxwoods Casino Trip Report 2018 in Southern New England – During April, I attended a gambling podcaster and fan meetup called Gamblepalooza and to provide this Foxwoods Casino trip report 2018. Foxwoods is the world’s largest tribal casino and is located in beautiful southern New England. I participated in high limit group slot pull, was taught to play craps, and met with fans.
- Easily Win a Little at Slots at Foxwoods Casino Connecticut – Over 3 days I explored Foxwoods Casino Connecticut in southern New England, the largest tribal casino in the world. I met fans, fellow gambling podcasters, figured out how to win small jackpots on slot machines, and then showed fans how to do so as well as proceeded to do so myself. Here, I explain exactly how I did it.
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Other State-By-State Articles from Professor Slots
- Series: Online Resource: State-By-State Slots Gambling Summaries – Now in its second year, this series is an online resource dedicated to slot machine casino gambling enthusiasts. It provides 56 weekly, detailed gambling summarizes covering each U.S. state, territory, and the federal district to capture dynamic changes occurring of late in the U.S. gaming/gambling industry specific to slots play.
- Previous: Colorado Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2018 – Colorado slot machine casino gambling consists of 12,689 slot machines available at 33 casinos in the three historic mountain towns of Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Their monthly payout return statistics are publicly available. Two tribal casinos in southwest Colorado provide an additional 1,300 slot machines.
- Next: Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2018 – Delaware slot machine casino gambling consists of 3 racinos offering VLT-style slot machines. Legal payout returns are between 87% and 95
%, unless otherwise approved by the Delaware Lottery Director. For July 2018, actual payout return statistics for each casino were between 92% and 93%. Delaware has no tribal casinos.