Foxwoods was New England's first casino. It is also the largest casino in the world and the world's most profitable casino.

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.

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

The games offered at Foxwoods are: blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, mini-baccarat, big six wheel, bingo, poker, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, let it ride, keno, pull tabs, red dog, casino war and chuck-a-luck. There is also a Race Book offering off-track betting on horses, greyhounds and jai-alai.

Foxwoods Resort Casino
Route 2
Mashantucket, Connecticut 06338
(860) 312-3000
Website: www.foxwoods.com
Map Location: #1 (45 miles S.E. of Hartford; 12 miles N. of I-95 at Mystic). From I-95 take exit 92 to Rt. 2-West, casino is 7 miles ahead.  From I-395 take exit 79A to Rt. 2A follow to Rt. 2-East, casino is 2 miles ahead.

Toll-Free Number: (800) FOXWOODS
Hotel Reservations: (800) FOXWOODS
Rooms: 1,416  Price Range: $140-$325
Suites: 198   Price Range: $175-$1,500
Restaurants: 24 (3 open 24 hours)
Buffets: B-$7.95  L-$13.95  D-$13.95     
Casino Size: 314,492 Square Feet
Casino Marketing: (800) 99-SLOTS
Overnight RV Parking: Free (self-contained only)
RV Dump: No
Special Features: Three hotels with pool, spa,  beauty salon and golf. Headliner entertainment. Five nightclubs including a BB King Nite Club and Club BB. Gift shops. Wampum Trading Post Super Store. Hard Rock Cafe. Wampum Card members earn complimentaries at table games, slots, poker and race book. 10% room discount for AAA and AARP members. Two  Rees Jones designed golf courses to open in 2005.

The following information is from Connecticut's Division of Special Revenue regarding Foxwoods' slot payback percentages:

These figures reflect the total percentages returned by each denomination of slot machine from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2004. Foxwoods' total win on its slot machines during that year was slightly more than $787 million and of that amount 25%, or slightly less than $197 million, was paid to the state. 

Keep in mind that the casino doesn't pay any tax on its table games and therefore it isn't required to report the profits on that part of its operation.

The games offered at Connecticut's other casino, 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 simulcast facility with pari-mutuel betting.

Mohegan Sun Casino
1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard
Uncasville, Connecticut 06382
(860) 862-8000
Website: www.mohegansun.com
Map Location: #2 (Take I-95 Exit 76/I-395 North. Take Exit 79A (Route 2A) East. Less than 1 mile to Mohegan Sun Boulevard)

Toll-Free Number: (888) 226-7711
Room Reservations: (888) 777-7922
Rooms: 1,020 Price Range: $175-$400
Suites: 180  Price Range: $300-$1,000
Restaurants: 29 (3 open 24 hours)
Buffets (Seasons): B-$8.95  L/D-$14.95
Buffets (Sunburst): L/D-$18.00
Casino Size: 295,000 Square Feet
Overnight RV Parking: Free/RV Dump: No
Special Features: Food court with specialty food outlets. Kid's Quest  supervised children's activity center. On-site gas station. Free nightly entertainment in the Wolf Den Showroom.

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, 2004. An interesting note is that the casino lost money on its $500 slot machines. Those slot machines took in $1,708,500 and paid out $62,000 more than that back to winners.

The total win on all of the Mohegan Sun slot machines during that period was slightly more than $823 million and of that amount 25%, or slightly less than $206 million, was paid to the state.