It’s the Holiday Season, and New England’s casinos are bustling with all kinds of activities.
Visit the websites of all seven casinos: Connecticut – Foxwoods Resort/Casino & Mohegan Sun Resort/Casino; Rhode Island – Newport Grand & Twin River Hotel/Casino; Massachusetts – Plainridge Park Casino & Raceway, MGM Springfield & Wynn Boston Harbor; Maine – Oxford Casino & Hollywood Bangor Hotel, Casino & Raceway.
News
Foxwoods® Resort Casino – Presents “Sleigh The Runway” & “Stuff the Bus”
Sleigh The Runway – SHRINE and the Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods are teaming up to host their first ever holiday fashion show. On Tuesday, November 21, Miss Connecticut, Eliza Kanner, will be hosting Sleigh The Runway at SHRINE, named one of the top 100 nightclubs in the world. From 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. guests can enjoy an exciting fashion show featuring John Casablancas models wearing holiday looks from Tanger Outlets. Be the first to see some of this season’s hottest looks come down the catwalk as the calendar grows closer to holiday parties and gift giving.
Stuff the Bus – In support of Stuff the Bus, bring a new jacket, gloves, toys etc. for free admission. Stuff the Bus is one of Foxwoods’ seasonal giving campaign in which new and unwrapped toys, clothing etc. are collected in support of the United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and its “Tommy Toy” Fund program. The campaign helps families in the local community make their holiday season brighter, and has benefited more than 20,000 children and families in the region the past 5 years. Miss Connecticut will be collecting Stuff the Bus donations and taking photos with guests. Plus, the first 100 people who bring a donation will also receive free admission into SHRINE’s I Love Tuesdays event with NERVO later that evening. NERVO is an Australian duo who received a GRAMMY award for writing “When Love Takes Over” for David Guetta and Kelly Rowland.
The event is a 21+ red carpet affair and guests can come out to win great prizes like an overnight stay, $100 Tanger Outlets gift card and more. Aspiring models will be given the opportunity to walk the runway for a chance to win a meet and greet with top modeling agents from Ohlson, Elite and IMG at the December 2 Top Model Search. Sleigh the Runway is open to the general public and Foxwoods invites everyone to come out for a night of fun and fashion. For more information, visit www.foxwoods.com/sleightherunway.
For more info on Stuff the Bus, click on Foxwoods Continues “Stuff The Bus” Campaign.
Maine Votes “NO” on 3rd Casino Proposal
With about 90 percent of precincts reporting, Question 1 on the ballot was losing by a whopping 83 percent to 17 percent. Question 1 referred to the approval of a third casino in Maine somewhere in York County. The final verdict was inevitable – No 3rd casino for Maine. The question would have allowed only one company, Shawn Scott’s Capital Seven, to apply for a casino license that state officials estimated would be worth as much as $200 million. In the end, it was rejected because Maine voters:
- didn’t like the kind of jobs it would create
- didn’t trust the project’s backers
- just didn’t want another casino in Maine.
Oxford Casino in Oxford Maine & Hollywood Casino, Hotel & Raceway in Bangor will continue to be the only two established casinos in Maine.
Foxwoods Installs the HighFlyer Zipline
Oxford Casino & Hotel
Oxford casino now has its own hotel – 107 well-appointed rooms and suites. Oxford casino is expecting a boost in traffic since it has two hotels close, including the Hampton Inn directly across the street from the casino, making a total of 200 hotel rooms.
Survivor Audition at Mohegan Sun
The Sun continues it’s CASTING CALL FOR SURVIVOR (WFSB) at The Shops at Mohegan Sun, Wednesday, December 13th 2017 at 2:00pm. Do you think you have what it takes to be a “Survivor?” For Eligibility Requirements, Video Release Form and Talent Release Form, click on “SURVIVOR”. Plus, get tips from former Survivor cast members Cirie Fields, Joe Anglim, Sierra Dawn Thomas, Rodney Lavoie & Joe Mena when they stop by for a special Reality Check event starting at 3:00pm.
Anticipation in Massachusetts
MGM Springfield is still on schedule to open in September of 2018. More details were announced concerning the development’s offerings, including more table games than first planned, a jewelry store, a six-screen theater with the latest amenities and a high-profile candle store. The bowling lanes will be something dear to New England’s bowlers, not seen anywhere else in the country – candle pin bowling. For more information see MGM Springfield Releases New Details with Local Flavor
Wynn Boston Harbor continues toward an opening date of June 24, 2019. Ten thousand pieces of structural steel are being used to build the massive resort, along with enough concrete to lay a 4-foot wide sidewalk spanning the entire Massachusetts Turnpike, costing Wynn spending now on average about $2.5 million a day. According to Wynn, this is one of the largest private developments in the state’s history.
Connecticut Casino in Bridgeport NOT Mentioned in MGM News Conference
Jim Murren of MGM’s casino development operations did not mention a $675 million waterfront casino proposal for Bridgeport, CT in a recent conference call with investors, while outlining MGM’s gaming development strategy, according to a report in a Las Vegas newspaper. “…Springfield, Mass, will be the home of our newest property, and our last major development project here in the United States when it opens in September,” Murren was quoted as saying by the Las Vegas Sun. “And that really winds down our development cycle.”
Rhode Island Casinos Find Expansion Delays
Rhode Island has two casinos at this time, Twin River Casino in Lincoln and Newport Grand in Newport. Recently, the Rhode Island Lottery Director Gerald Aubin said Twin River, which is nearing the end of an expensive campaign seeking to build a casino in Tiverton, has been stalled by negotiations with various contractors to keep the project progressing. Aubin said he couldn’t provide a new projection.” Recent estimates called for the hotel to open in October 2017. In addition, moving their license from Newport Grand to the new Hotel Casino project in Tiverton is also delayed. According to Tony Gugliotta of NBC10, “The $75 million casino being built in Tiverton was originally scheduled to open next July because the property has been “very difficult” because of the amount of ledge, and some materials were delayed because of the hurricanes. He says the town’s refusal to extend construction hours beyond what town rules allow is also contributing. The casino and hotel are both now expected to be ready by Oct. 1, 2018.
More Convention Space at Mohegan Sun
Mohegan Sun Exposition Center will be the newest premier convention destination in the Northeast. Bringing Mohegan Sun’s offerings to over 275,000 square feet of meeting space, it will be the largest expo space along the New York-Boston I-95 corridor. Features will include: a 125,000 square-foot Expo Center, 8,000 square feet of pre-function space, 38,000 and 20,000 square-foot ballrooms, 15 meeting rooms, including a 1,200 square-foot boardroom, Free WiFi & Free on-site parking.
Wampanoags, and MMCT Ask Feds to Stop Dragging Their Feet
In Massachusetts, Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Chairman Cedric Cromwell has called on President Donald Trump to allow the tribe’s stalled casino project to move forward. In a Thanksgiving address, Cromwell said Trump is not sticking to a recent pledge to support Tribal Sovereignty and Self-Determination. Trump made the remarks as part of proclamation recognizing Native American Heritage Month. The Tribe is trying to build a $1 billion resort casino in Taunton called First Light, but construction is currently on hold in the wake of legal challenges and a successful lawsuit by neighbors in federal court. As a federally recognized tribe, they feel that they have had their sovereign rights denied.
In Connecticut, MMCT, the joint venture of the Mashantucket Pequots (Foxwoods) and the Mohegan Tribes is still in limbo. Their casino in East Windsor is slated to ward off the threat of MGM’s casino in Springfield opening next year. MMCT has said it is moving ahead without approval from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which passed by the November deadline with a “no action” action. MMCT repeated that they will begin work on the $300m project in East Windsor by the end of the year, according to spokesman Andrew Doba. “We are moving forward with the property in East Windsor as planned.”
Dining Spotlight
Mohegan Sun – SolToro Tequila Grill
SolToro Tequila Grill serves up signature Mexican cuisine with a kick of Texas, bringing fresh, exciting ingredients and traditional Mexican flavors to every dish. With an impressive tequila list featuring over 200 brands of 100% blue agave tequila and a line-up of fresh margaritas and hand-crafted cocktails, it’s always a fiesta at SolToro. On December 1st, 8th and 15th, a live dueling piano show from Keys to the City at 10:00pm – 1am. Drink and food specials available during the show. SoloToro Spolight Special – MÁS For Less Happy Hour, Monday – Friday 4:00pm – 6:00pm. $3 Mexican beers, $4 tacos, $5 SolToro nachos and $6 SolToro margaritas.
Dining Specials & Holiday Promos
Foxwoods
Shop, Dine, Win – November 17 – December 21, Shopping has its perks. From November 17th through December 21st, for every $100 spent daily at Tanger Outlets at Foxwoods, receive a $10 gift card to Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar, AND one entry to win a Tanger gift card worth up to $5,000. Present receipts at Tanger Shopper Services or any Foxwoods Rewards location to redeem. Live Acoustic Music – Wednesdays at Hard Rock Cafe Live Acoustic Karaoke, starts at 8:00; and Thursday Nights at Hard Rock Cafe Live Acoustic bands.
12 Bars of Christmas Pub Crawl – $20, Dec 15, 6:00PM. Enjoy old friends or make new ones during Foxwoods’ Annual Holiday Pub Crawl. Try special holiday themed cocktails across 12 bars and restaurants on property and then finish your evening at Centrale in Fox Tower with a DJ, Dancing and Prizes. Put on your tackiest, ugliest sweater and enter to win a $100 Tanger Outlets Gift Card, so you can buy yourself a new sweater. What’s more, $10 of the admission ticket is donated to the United Way to help give local families a little extra under the tree. So put on your Santa Hat and enjoy the crawl food and drink specials at The Celebration Zone on the Great Cedar Concourse and these locations: halo, Atrium, Cedars, Centrale, Sugar, David Burke’s Prime, Guy Fieri’s, High Rollers, Red Lantern, Scorpion Bar & Shrine.
Twin River
Santa’s Holiday Expo, Sunday, December 3, 2017 11:00am. Santa’s Holiday Expo. Shopping, games and of course Santa! Kiddie train rides, beautiful ice sculptures, cooking stage demos, ginger bread houses, Christmas carolers, and of course Santa! An event fun for the whole family!
Hollywood Bangor
Hops House Specials – Play One Hour – Eat For Free at Hops House ($15 credit); Baxter Brewing Tap Takeover – December 20th, 5-9pm. Epic Buffet – Christmas Dinner Special, Monday, December 25th. 11:00AM – 7:00PM. $26.99 / New Year’s
Plainridge Park Casino
Dropkick Murphy’s Christmas Party, December 15th, followed by Pro Boxing. For tickets and info, click HERE.
New Year’s Eve Specials
Foxwoods
New Year’s Eve Mega Super Bingo – $100,000 Guaranteed Jackpot Coverall. December 30th, 10:30am. Double Reward Points. $10,000 regular game payouts. $150 admission.
NYE 2018 at High Rollers Luxury Lanes & Lounge – $20, Dec 31, 9:00PM. PLEASE NOTE For your safety, there are some items that guests are prohibited from bringing inside of the Fox and Grand Theaters. Please click here for the full list. Music by DJ John Cardona with Champagne Toast as the clock strikes midnight.
NYE 2018 at Shrine – $50, Dec 31, 9:00PM. PLEASE NOTE For your safety, there are some items that guests are prohibited from bringing inside of the Fox and Grand Theaters. Please click here for the full list. Music by DJ JD.
NYE 2018 at Scorpion Bar – $50, Dec 31, 9:00PM. PLEASE NOTE For your safety, there are some items that guests are prohibited from bringing inside of the Fox and Grand Theaters. Please click here for the full list. DJ Jay Spring will bring the tunes as we count down to midnight.
Mohegan Sun
Vista Lounge New Years Eve 2018 – Music by DJ Joe Moore. VIP Available at 860.862.4009. $60. 9:00pm
Hollywood Bangor
New Year’s Buffet Special – Sunday, Dec. 31st Dinner 4PM – 9:pm, $29.99, kids half price & Monday, January 1st Brunch 9AM – 3PM, $18.99, kids half price.
Twin River
NYE Dinner & Dance Party feat. World Premier Band, Sunday, December 31, 2017 7:30pm. Event Center. Mixing music of the 90′s with today’s funk, dance, and originals; World Premier Band’s high energy will get you moving! Doors open at 7:30pm, dinner buffet starts at 8pm. VIP $120 tickets includes an all you can eat elegant buffet, two drink tickets, premium seating by the dance floor, party favors, and a champagne toast. $90 tickets include an all you can eat elegant buffet, one drink ticket, party favors, and a champagne toast. 21+ event.
Entertainment
HEADLINERS
December 1st – Marc Anthony at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8PM
December 1st – Greg Hodde’s Blue Reign, Newport Grand Event Center, 9:00pm (free)
December 2nd – Celtic Thunder at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8PM
December 2nd – Jim Bruer at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods, 8PM
December 2nd – Bret Michaels, 8:00pm at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (free)
December 3rd – Mannheim Steamroller at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:30PM
December 3rd – Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas, 7:00pm Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (free)
December 9th – Jerry Seinfeld at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 8:00PM
December 9th & 10th – Pentonix Christmas, Mohegan Sun Arena; 7:00PM & 2:00PM
December 9th & 10 – Albano’s Nutcracker, Mohegan Sun, Cabaret, 1:00PM
December 12th-14th – Mindfreak Live! Starring Criss Angel at the Fox Theater, Foxwoods
December 17th – David Foster & The Mohegan Sun All-Stars, 7:00PM at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (free)
December 17th – Ozuna: Odisea Society Tour, at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods, 7:00PM
December 21st – STRAIGHT NO CHASER at Mohegan Sun Arena , 7:30PM
December 23rd – Ronnie Spector’s Best Christmas Party Ever!, 8:00PM at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (free)
December 23rd – Bon Jersey – “A Tribute to Bon Jovi ” Newport Grand Event Center, 9:00pm
December 29th – The Spinners 8:00PM at Mohegan Sun Wolf Den (free)
December 29th & 30th – John Oliver at the Grand Theater, Foxwoods
December 30th – KEVIN HART – THE IRRESPONSIBLE TOUR at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
December 31st – ROBIN THICKE at Mohegan Sun Arena, 8:00PM
December 31st at 8:00pm: Amy Schumer Live – New Year’s Eve. Tickets are $45.00 and this show is for mature audiences.
Other casino entertainment venues include:
The Wolf Den, Mohegan Sun – Located in the center of the action, in Casino of the Earth, offers full beverage service, a state-of-the-art sound system, intimate seating and top performances by headliners. For complete schedule, click HERE.
Hollywood Bangor now offers two venues for live weekend music – 99 Hops House & the Sound Stage. Click Here for schedule.
Newport Grand offers Free shows by Tribute bands almost every weekend. Click HERE for schedule.
Twin River Lighthouse Lounge – right in the middle of the downstairs casino.
Plainridge Park Casino – the Revolution Lounge offers entertainment on the weekends
Gambling Promos & Events
FOXWOODS – The Bingo Calendar at the largest Bingo Hall East of the Mississippi River at Foxwoods is here. MegaStack Poker Challenge – $1,000,000 Guaranteed; New Year’s Hot Seat – Win $2,018 Every Hour. Friday, December 29 • Noon – 8:00PM. Play your favorite Slots or Table Games with your Foxwoods Rewards Card. Every Hour, one active player will win $2,018To. Enter for your chance to win, check in at any Foxwoods Rewards Booth.
MOHEGAN SUN – Double Momentum & Status Points all day – December 8th. Double Momentum Dollars all day – December 17th; Triple Status Points all day – December 29th.
NEWPORT GRAND – $50,000 Future Play Sweepstakes WIN: December 1, 4, 6, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 27 & 29 from 12PM-9PM, (5) winners every hour will win $100 in Free Slot Play; $20,000 Free Play Sweepstakes, WIN: Sunday, December 31 from 2PM-12AM Swipe rewards card at 10AM through 11:55PM on Sunday, December 31, 2017 to receive a free entry for the respective drawing. For every ten (10) points earned, receive one (1) entry. Three (3) Rewards Members’ names are announced every half-hour from 2P until 11PM to win $250 in Free Play and again at 11:30PM & 12AM to win $1,000 in Free Play; 5X Rewards Points every Tuesday in December
Tuesday, December 5, 12, 19 & 26
TWIN RIVER CASINO – $500,000 Gift Cards, Cash & Free Play Sweepstakes EARN: December 1 – 30
WIN: Every Friday & Saturday in December from 4pm – 12am; 3 drawings every hour!
HOLLYWOOD BANGOR – “Wicked Numbahs” – Every Friday in December. Swipe players card at 5:00 & receive 5 numbers. Match numbers drawn between 6-9pm to receive prizes. FREEPLAY for a YEAR – Thursday = 25X entries, Fridays = 50X entries, Grand Prize Drawing Sat., December 30th at 9:00pm
For Promotions at PLAINRIDGE PARK CASINO & RACEWAY, click HERE.
For Promotions at OXFORD CASINO, MAINE, click HERE.
Sporting Events
December 7th – Twin River Event Center – LIVE CES BOXING, Thursday, , 2017 7:00pm. Doors at 6, show at 7, all ages welcome. Massachusetts veterans Aleksandra Magdziak Lopes of Marshfield and Khiary Gray of Worcester return to Twin River Casino for a special Thursday night holiday show as CES Boxing celebrates its 25th anniversary. Sicilian heavyweight Juiseppe Cusumano, Providence lightweight “A1” Anthony Marsella Jr., Providence featherweight Michael “Bling Bling” Valentin and Worcester lightweight Jamaine Ortiz also return to action.
December 8th – Mohegan Sun Arena – National Lacrosse League, New England Black Wolves vs. Georgia Swarm, 7:30PM
December 19th – Mohegan Sun Arena – WOMEN’S HOLIDAY BASKETBALL SHOWCASE at 7:00pm. Doors open: 6:00pm for a game between UConn vs. Oklahoma
December 20th – Mohegan Sun Arena – BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME HOLIDAY SHOWCASE at 4:30pm. Game 1: St. Johns vs. Saint Josephs, Game 2: Providence vs. Houston
December 29th – Mohegan Sun Arena – National Lacrosse League, New England Black Wolves vs. Vancouver Stealth, 7:30PM
NETimeGambling is a non-monetized blog created for my interest in gambling – its history and its evolution – the casino business, and my love for New England. Come share my passion and visit us.
Robin T. Aubin (Binbin) has been involved in music all his life, including 40 years of choral conducting, and performing professionally in different musical genres since he was 10 years of age. “Heck, I even performed in Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den, Foxwoods’ Atrium Lounge, and Twin River’s Lighthouse Bar & Lounge.” (All venues in New England casinos)
Twenty years ago casino gambling became a side interest. The business, the history, the expansion across the U.S., the myths, the superstitions and innovations of legalized gambling became a fascination. “It allows us to witness the best and worst of human nature and human interaction. This blog is the passion behind all of that.”
The goal was to provide a service and resource for anyone visiting New England’s expanding casino market.
“My biggest pet peeve is how gamblers refuse to look at the math & science involved in gambling. Myths and superstitions can be fun, humorous and sad all at one time. Preparation and understanding the reality of gambling will only improve your recreational gambling. Know what you are getting into – acceptance of the science involved, not the possible karma, is the key to all improving your recreational gambling fun.”
