Major expansions announced

After birthday cake and traditional drumming at a function to celebrate Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut’s 30th anniversary, a Foxwoods’ executive announced some major expansions.

a new high-stakes bingo hall is currently under construction

Foxwoods CEO Jason Guyot on Tuesday shared news with guests attending the anniversary celebrations that a new high-stakes bingo hall is currently under construction. The CEO said the new 2,200-seat facility will encompass over 30,000 square feet of event space and offer higher stakes bingo games and expanded prize pools.

Guyot said the new gaming center is set to open this spring.

The biggest announcement, however, came at the end of the ceremony. The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation-owned and operated resort has made a deal with Great Wolf Resorts to bring one of its indoor water park complexes — complete with family entertainment center and hotel — to Mashantucket.

In a news release, Guyot said Foxwoods’ anniversary year would be the resort’s “most significant year of evolution, innovation, and development for the property to date.” He added that, going forward, Foxwoods would “continue to trailblaze the integrated resort casino concept.” ?

Staycation attraction

The addition of a Great Wolf Lodge to the Foxwoods portfolio in Mashantucket adds an extra staycation attraction to the resort’s existing draw. Its location between the major urban markets of New York City and Boston makes it a prime weekend getaway destination.

Foxwoods took to Twitter on its anniversary to share news and images of the incoming attraction, which is scheduled to open in 2024:

The New York Post cited Guyot as saying the Great Wolf Lodge will cover 15 acres adjacent to, but not directly part of, Foxwoods. “Foxwoods will become family-friendly on a massive scale, [Great Wolf Lodge] will be a huge driver of foot traffic.”

“First there was Las Vegas and Atlantic City, and then Foxwoods,” the NY Post reports Guyot as saying. “Now, no one in the Northeast, or even in the country can compete with us.”

Further plans

Foxwoods has even more expansion plans on its list. According to its news release, the existing bingo hall will be converted into the Rainmaker Expo Center. This 75,000 square-foot venue will host sporting events, trade shows, and corporate meetings and functions.

Until then, Foxwoods is making the most of its anniversary. Throughout February, resort guests get a shot at winning $200,000 in cash and prizes, with double bonus slot play on Friday. In a gesture of altruism during its anniversary year, Foxwoods said it would donate $30,000 every month until the end of 2022 “to organizations that mirror Foxwoods’ values.” This month’s recipient is United Way of Connecticut, a non-profit focused on community health, education, and financial stability.