Since then, changes to state law in Rhode Island and Maine meant that those states, too, can now count casinos among their attractions. Another Connecticut tribe, the Mohegan, debuted their Mohegan Sun casino in 1997, drawing a crowd of some 75,000 on opening day alone. The Mashantucket Pequot tribe founded a high-stakes bingo hall on their Connecticut reservation in 1986 by 1992 it had grown into Foxwoods, which for years would rank as not just the largest among Connecticut casinos but also the country.
The more modern versions of casinos in New England didn’t arrive until late 20th century, after an act of Congress cleared the way for Native American tribes to launch gaming enterprises. 1899 Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, a performance venue that’s hosted everyone from Simon & Garfunkel to Chelsea Handler.Ĭonnecticut’s Mohegan Sun resort casino is home to the world’s largest planetarium dome. 1880 Newport Casino, a Shingle-style beauty and National Historical Landmark that today houses the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Back in the 19th century, “casino” referred broadly to a social and recreational facility: hence Rhode Island’s c. casino gaming in 1931, there were casinos in New England already - just not the type that would look remotely at home on the Vegas Strip. Though it was Nevada that paved the way for the rise of U.S.
