Despite being the third-smallest U.S. state, Connecticut is home to two of the country’s largest casinos only 15 minutes from each other. Foxwoods Resort Casino is located in Ledyard on the Mashantucket Pequot Nation Reservation, only 11 miles away from the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino, located in Uncasville on the Mohegan Tribe Reservation.
Getting to these two resorts, surrounded by woods, is only a 5 hour drive from southern New Jersey. Providence and Hartford International Airports are only an hour away, and Boston and New York Airports just over two hours away.
Nutmeggers believe these resorts prove one thing – it’s all about the destination, not the number of casinos in a given area. In my opinion, Connecticut’s two tribal casinos are the crème de la crème. If a trip to Vegas isn’t in the cards for you, the odds of having an epic time at two New England casinos are pretty high.
According to USA Today readers, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville and Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket ranked #2 & 3, respectively, out of the more than 1,000 casinos in the USA. The amenities and celebrity restaurants rival any single property on the Las Vegas Strip. Within 11 miles, guests can enjoy the gamut of gambling and resort experiences.
Both Are Now Non-Smoking
Both the Sun and Foxwoods are 100% smokefree on the casino floor. Since June 2020, Connecticut’s casinos voluntarily implemented smoke-free policies during the COVID-19 pandemic and have no immediate plans to reinstate indoor smoking.
In fact, signage for smokefree areas at Mohegan Sun was quietly removed, underscoring the long-term nature of the decision.
Foxwoods Resort Casino – The Wonder in the Woods
Starting as a high-stakes bingo hall in 1986, it evolved into a mega-resort. In 1992, table games were approved and added. Today, it is one of the largest hotel-casino developments in North America.
Foxwoods has five casinos, more than 30 dining options, and continues to be one is the biggest resort casinos in North America. The complex contains four main hotels, an outlet mall, two entertainment venues, and free parking in garages. A round trip of the property is just under a two-mile walk. So, there are free shuttle services to whisk guests around the interior of the resort. Check out the large list of non-gambling activities for guests of all ages.
Next door to Foxwoods is the new Great Wolf Lodge, which opened earlier this year. Foxwoods is also home to the 308,000-square-foot Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center.
Foxwoods Gambling
Foxwoods offers a wide variety of gaming options. From over 3,200 slot machines and 175+ tables and poker.
The DraftKings Sportsbook is the official sports betting partner of Foxwoods. Housed in a two-story, 12,000+ square foot sportsbook, includes wall-to-wall televisions anchored by one of the largest LED screens in the industry at 50 feet by 30 feet, multiple VIP rooms, two full bars including an ice rail with 24 beers on tap, and a full restaurant with delicious stadium-style food and beverage offerings.
Bingo Paradise
Foxwoods has the largest bingo hall in North America by every standard you can measure. The High Stakes Bingo Hall features over 30,000 square feet of event space with more than 2,200 seats. The facility’s signature event, “Bingo Unleashed,” offers over $1 million in cash prizes per session, including a $440,000 cash jackpot and $40,000 in door prizes, with a $500 admission fee. Foxwoods recently set a Guinness World Record for the largest single game bingo cash payout.
Mohegan Sun Resort Casino – Neon Uncasville
Created in 1996, the Mohegan Sun Resort Casino complex now contains two hotels, two distinct casinos, over 45 restaurants, bars and lounges, three entertainment venues, and more than 375,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Mohegan Sun also offers ample free parking. The Sun has a kid-friendly activity area called Kids Quest/Cyber Quest for younger guests.
Mohegan Sun’s incredible architecture features that honor Native history and is decorated in keeping with earth elements and the four seasons. Tribal relics, sculpted trees, and pools of water are positioned around the complex, including the 55-foot indoor waterfall.
But the real star of Mohegan Sun is its one-of-a-kind 10,000-seat multi-event arena. It has been the home for the last 25 years of the Connecticut Sun of the WNBA. The arena has hosted everything from the Jackson Car Auction, the top headline entertainment, and the Miss America Pageant. It has been given the Academy of Country Music Awards “Arena of the Year” multiple times.
Mohegan Sun Gambling
Mohegan Sun has almost 4,000 slot machines, 300+ table games, and a 33-table Poker Room.
Mohegan Sun FanDuel Sportsbook boasts the Northeast’s largest video wall at 140 feet, with 33 kiosks available around the clock. The private mezzanine inside offers an elevated, semi-private setting with premium sightlines and dedicated service.
Connecticut Casinos By the Numbers
Each has two fabulous Spas and a beautiful Golf Course. Since opening in 2005, Foxwoods Lake of Isles has consistently been ranked one of the top golf facilities in the country. The Rees Jones-designed layout gives guests the ultimate golf experience. Guests will enjoy the challenging North Course, which features the best of New England rolling terrain.
Takeaway
These two Resorts are top-notch convention venues, and concert venues. Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun are constantly adding more amenities, celebrity restaurants, promotions, and events while keeping their casinos up to date with the latest table games and slots. An alternative to Las Vegas on the East Coast that has something great for everyone.
