Connecticut Casinos – Best Places to Gamble in CT

Connecticut may be one of the smaller US states, but it punches above its weight in the gambling world, thanks to its two flagship tribal casinos – Foxwood and Mohegan Sun. These casinos generate an impressive $350 million in revenue each year for the state, which is a significant sum, especially given Connecticut’s recent budget issues. This has led local lawmakers to consider ways of expanding the state’s gambling industry, as well as introducing rules around iGaming.

One major development in this area came in June 2018 when Governor Dannel Malloy signed a bill permitting the construction of a third casino in East Windsor, which will be operated jointly by the two local tribes. Despite some hurdles at the federal level, the Governor and the tribes are determined to push the project through as soon as possible. As part of the same casino bill, legal sports betting was also given the green light, which was no surprise given that local lawmakers had already legalized daily fantasy sports contests the previous year.

Although the legal definition of gambling in Connecticut is somewhat strict – Section 53 of the Connecticut Statutes defines it as “risking any money, credit, deposit or another thing of value for gain contingent in whole or in part upon lot, chance or the operation of a gambling device” – the state’s regulations are somewhat out of date when it comes to online gambling. For example, local bettors are prohibited from engaging in phone-based sports betting, but there is no mention of online gambling in state law. As a result, individual players who use offshore gambling sites are unlikely to be pursued by the authorities. To be clear, however, engaging in unlicensed gambling is still considered a misdemeanor in the state.

The legal framework for gambling in Connecticut is set out in Connecticut General Statutes 12-557 et seq. and 53-278 et seq.

List of Top Gambling Venues in Connecticut

VenueAddressWebsite
Mohegan Sun Casino Montville1 Mohegan Sun Blvd, Montville, CT 06382https://mohegansun.com/
Foxwoods Resort Casino Ledyard350 Trolley Line Blvd, Ledyard, CT 06338https://www.foxwoods.com/

Related reading: Connecticut online casinos

Reviews of the Top Casinos in Connecticut

Connecticut is home to some of the best casinos in the United States. With a rich history of gambling and entertainment, these casinos have attracted millions of visitors from around the world. Here are five of the most popular gambling establishments in Connecticut, each offering a unique gaming experience.

1. Mohegan Sun

Mohegan Sun is a large casino located in Uncasville, Connecticut, that opened in 1996. The casino features over 364,000 square feet of gaming space, which includes a wide variety of slot machines and table games.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at Mohegan Sun include:

The table games offered at Mohegan Sun include:

In addition to gaming, Mohegan Sun also offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from casual to fine dining. Some of the restaurants at Mohegan Sun include:

Mohegan Sun also features a large hotel with over 1,600 rooms, ranging from standard rooms to luxurious suites. The hotel offers a range of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and indoor pool. The hotel also features a variety of entertainment options, such as a comedy club and a concert venue.

Overall, Mohegan Sun is a popular destination for both gaming and entertainment in Connecticut, offering a wide range of amenities and activities for visitors.

2. Foxwoods Resort Casino

Foxwoods Resort Casino is a large casino located in Mashantucket, Connecticut, that opened in 1986. The casino features over 340,000 square feet of gaming space, making it one of the largest casinos in the world.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at Foxwoods Resort Casino include:

The table games offered at Foxwoods Resort Casino include:

In addition to gaming, Foxwoods Resort Casino also offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from casual to fine dining. Some of the restaurants at Foxwoods Resort Casino include:

Foxwoods Resort Casino also features several hotel options, with over 2,200 rooms available. The hotel options range from standard rooms to luxurious suites. The casino resort also offers a range of amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and indoor pool. The resort also features a variety of entertainment options, such as a concert venue, comedy club, and arcade.

3. MGM Springfield

MGM Springfield is a casino located in Springfield, Massachusetts, which is just over the state border from Connecticut. The casino opened in 2018 and features over 125,000 square feet of gaming space.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at MGM Springfield include:

The table games offered at MGM Springfield include:

In addition to gaming, MGM Springfield also offers a range of dining options, including both casual and fine dining options. Some of the restaurants at MGM Springfield include:

While MGM Springfield does not have a hotel on-site, there are several hotels located nearby that offer convenient access to the casino. The casino resort also features several amenities, including a spa, fitness center, and a 125,000 square foot outdoor plaza that offers a variety of activities.

4. Mohegan Sun Pocono

Mohegan Sun Pocono is a casino located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 100 miles from Connecticut. The casino features over 82,000 square feet of gaming space, including a wide variety of slot machines and table games.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at Mohegan Sun Pocono include:

The table games offered at Mohegan Sun Pocono include:

In addition to gaming, Mohegan Sun Pocono also offers a range of dining options, including both casual and fine dining options. Some of the restaurants at Mohegan Sun Pocono include:

Mohegan Sun Pocono also features a 238-room hotel, as well as a variety of amenities such as a fitness center, spa, and indoor pool. The casino resort also offers a range of entertainment options, including live music and comedy shows.

Overall, Mohegan Sun Pocono is a popular casino destination for residents of Connecticut, offering a range of gaming options, dining choices, and amenities.

5. Resorts World Catskills

Resorts World Catskills is a casino located in Monticello, New York, which is approximately 90 miles from Connecticut. The casino features over 100,000 square feet of gaming space, including a wide variety of slot machines and table games.

Some of the popular slot machine titles at Resorts World Catskills include:

The table games offered at Resorts World Catskills include:

In addition to gaming, Resorts World Catskills also offers a range of dining options, including both casual and fine dining options. Some of the restaurants at Resorts World Catskills include:

Resorts World Catskills also features a 332-room hotel, as well as a variety of amenities such as a fitness center, spa, and indoor pool. The casino resort also offers a range of entertainment options, including live music and comedy shows.

Connecticut Gambling Revenues

Connecticut’s casinos are major contributors to the state’s economy. In 2019, the state’s two tribal casinos, Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, generated over $1.3 billion in gaming revenue. This revenue is subject to a 25% tax, resulting in approximately $330 million in state taxes generated from gaming.

Connecticut uses gaming revenue to support various state programs, including education, tourism, and local communities. The state’s General Fund, which supports education and other critical state programs, received $273 million from gaming taxes in 2019. Additionally, $57 million was allocated to support tourism and promote economic development across the state.

The remaining revenue is distributed among local communities, including the cities of Hartford and Bridgeport, which receive a share of the gaming tax revenue. In 2019, Hartford received $6.9 million and Bridgeport received $3.5 million. These funds help to support local infrastructure, public safety, and other community programs.

It’s important to note that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on gaming revenues in 2020, with revenue declining by over 24%. However, with the recent relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions and the ongoing success of online gambling, the industry is expected to recover over time.

Overall, gaming revenue plays an essential role in supporting critical state programs and local communities in Connecticut. As a visitor or resident of the state, you can feel good knowing that your gaming activities are contributing to the betterment of the state and its citizens.

Indian Gaming Tribes in Connecticut

Connecticut is home to two federally recognized Indian tribes, the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribe. These tribes have a rich history of gaming and have been operating casinos in the state since the 1990s. Today, these casinos are major economic drivers, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue.

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe was the first to open a casino in Connecticut. In 1992, the tribe opened Foxwoods Resort Casino, which quickly became one of the largest and most successful casinos in the world. However, in the early 2000s, the tribe experienced financial troubles due to competition from other casinos in the region and internal conflicts among tribal members.

The Mohegan Tribe opened their casino, Mohegan Sun, in 1996, following the success of Foxwoods. The casino was an immediate success and has continued to be a major player in the gaming industry. Unlike the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, the Mohegan Tribe has not experienced significant internal conflicts or financial difficulties.

Despite the success of their casinos, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes have had ongoing disputes over gaming rights and revenue sharing with the state. In 2017, the two tribes reached an agreement with the state to allow them to jointly operate a third casino in East Windsor, Connecticut, to compete with a new casino being built in nearby Massachusetts.

Overall, the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Tribes have played a significant role in the growth and success of the gaming industry in Connecticut. As of now, these are the only federally recognized Indian tribes in the state.

List of Indian Gaming Tribes in Connecticut:

A History of Gambling in Connecticut

Connecticut has a long and colorful history of gambling that dates back to the 1700s. In the early days, gambling was primarily associated with horse racing and lotteries, which were popular among the state’s wealthy elites. By the late 1800s, gambling had become more widespread, and the state had to take action to regulate the industry.

In 1895, the Connecticut legislature passed a law that prohibited most forms of gambling, including horse racing and lotteries. However, the law was largely unenforced, and illegal gambling continued to thrive in the state.

During the 1930s, gambling gained renewed popularity in Connecticut, and illegal casinos and card rooms began to pop up throughout the state. This prompted the state to take stronger action against gambling, and in 1945, the legislature passed a law that made it a felony to operate an illegal gambling establishment.

Despite the tough stance taken by the state, illegal gambling continued to thrive in Connecticut throughout the 1950s and 1960s. It wasn’t until the 1970s that the state began to consider legalizing certain forms of gambling to generate revenue for the state.

In 1971, the state legislature passed a bill that allowed for the creation of a state-run lottery. The Connecticut Lottery began operations in 1972 and has since generated billions of dollars in revenue for the state.

In the 1980s, the state began to explore the idea of allowing casino gambling in Connecticut. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe was the first to establish a casino in the state, opening Foxwoods Resort Casino in 1992. The Mohegan Tribe opened their casino, Mohegan Sun, just a few years later in 1996.

Today, Connecticut’s casinos are major economic drivers, generating billions of dollars in annual revenue and providing thousands of jobs. In addition, the state lottery continues to be a popular form of gambling in the state, with sales exceeding $1 billion per year.

Overall, gambling has a rich and varied history in Connecticut, from the early days of horse racing and lotteries to the modern casinos and state lottery. While the industry has faced its fair share of challenges and controversies, it has also been a significant source of revenue and entertainment for the state and its residents.

Gambling Taxes in Connecticut

If you’re a gambler in Connecticut, it’s important to understand how gambling taxes work in the state. In Connecticut, all gambling winnings are subject to a state tax of 6.99% and a federal tax of up to 37%, depending on the amount won.

For example, if you win $10,000 at a casino in Connecticut, you would owe the state $699 in taxes and the federal government up to $3,700 in taxes, for a total tax bill of $4,399. It’s important to note that these taxes apply to all forms of gambling, including casino games, lottery winnings, and sports betting.

If you win a large amount of money, the casino or other gambling establishment may withhold taxes from your winnings before paying you. This is known as “backup withholding” and is required by the IRS for all gambling winnings over $5,000. The casino will withhold 24% of your winnings for federal taxes and an additional 6.99% for state taxes.

To pay gambling taxes in Connecticut, you must report your winnings on your state and federal tax returns. You will need to file Form CT-1040, Connecticut Resident Income Tax Return, and include Schedule 1, which includes a section for gambling winnings and losses. You must also report your gambling winnings on your federal tax return using Form 1040, and include Schedule A if you plan to itemize deductions.

It’s important to keep accurate records of your gambling activity, including your winnings and losses, to make filing your taxes easier. You should keep all documentation, such as casino receipts, tickets, and statements, to support your tax return in case of an audit.

Overall, gambling taxes can be complicated, but it’s important to understand the rules and regulations to avoid penalties or fines. With a little bit of knowledge and planning, you can ensure that you’re paying the appropriate amount of taxes and staying in compliance with state and federal laws.

Connecticut Gambling FAQ

How much can you win at Connecticut casinos before being taxed?

In Connecticut, all gambling winnings are subject to a state tax of 6.99% and a federal tax of up to 37%, depending on the amount won. However, the casino may withhold taxes on winnings over $5,000. If you win more than $1,200 on a slot machine or bingo game, you will receive a W-2G form from the casino, which will report your winnings and any taxes withheld.

How to ban yourself from casinos in Connecticut?

If you feel that you may have a gambling problem and want to self-exclude from Connecticut casinos, you can enroll in the state’s voluntary self-exclusion program. This program allows you to ban yourself from all casinos in the state for a period of two years or lifetime. To enroll, you must visit a designated enrollment site and provide personal information and a photo ID. Once enrolled, you will be prohibited from entering any casino in the state.

Who regulates gambling in Connecticut?

Gambling in Connecticut is regulated by the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). The DCP oversees all aspects of gambling, including licensing and regulation of casinos, the state lottery, and charitable gaming. The department also works to ensure that gambling establishments comply with all state and federal laws and regulations.

What is the minimum gambling age in Connecticut?

In Connecticut, the minimum gambling age is 21 for all forms of gambling, including casino games, lottery tickets, and sports betting. This age requirement is strictly enforced at all gambling establishments, and anyone under the age of 21 caught gambling can be subject to fines and other penalties. It’s important to bring a valid photo ID with you when visiting a casino or purchasing lottery tickets to ensure that you can prove your age if asked.

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