Gambling is illegal in Massachusetts, but that's why God invented Connecticut. Jutting up out of the wilderness, in the middle of our dear neighbor to the south, are New England's twin bastions of fiscal irresponsibility: Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods. Both are stupendously flashy, alarmingly huge, and filled to bursting with restaurants, shops, and, yes, gambling. If you play your cards right, both can also provide you with a marvelous day trip for the cost of a movie and popcorn. If you really play your cards right, Bostonist would appreciate a kickback.
Now, by no means does Bostonist encourage handing over your savings to that fickle, odious, baby-eating wretch known as Lady Luck; but the fact is, these casinos are pretty awesome. Free drinks will blur your moral dilemma about contributing to the downfall of Native American culture, while you drop quarter after quarter into a slot machine, delighting in the ethereal sound it makes. Eventually, you're apt to win $20, or $40, or $60 of your money back, and then quit! Quit! Walk away! That jackpot wasn't meant for you.
What can one do while avoiding the one-armed bandit? Your options run toward "shop" or "eat," as well as "drink" and "walk around dazzled as a kid at Disney World." Both Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun house twenty-odd restaurants, ranging from food courts and buffets to (at Mohegan Sun) a Todd English dining experience nestled behind a massive indoor waterfall. Shops sell everything from cheap cigarettes to life-sized portraits of Ziggy Stardust, with a hefty dose of dreamcatchers and money clips. Prices can run high, but then again, losing money at these places is an artform; gaze into any fountain, and amongst the fortune in pocket change you'll spot $5 poker chips and $20 bills. Bostonist could gaze into those fountains for a lifetime.
As for which is "better"-- Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun-- well, that depends on what you want from your casino. Bostonist is partial to Mohegan Sun, mostly because getting there (with Sunshine Travel is one of the best deals in town. Mohegan Sun manages to look a little spiffier than the competition, with such features as the world's largest planetarium, the aforementioned waterfall, and a luminous, craggy mountain housing a martini bar. Not to mention the store made out of aquarium. Mohegan Sun's arcade is entirely adequate, but broken games and distracted teenaged staffers can sometimes put a damper on the fun. Also, Mohegan Sun made the questionable decision to close its poker room a few years ago, so don't expect to wow the whole Mohegan tribe with the plays you learned from Don Cheadle on Celebrity Poker Challenge.
Some ten miles down the road from Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods is older, bigger, and has a horribly catchy theme song. Its new arcade is absolutely astounding, its off-track betting sector looks like a NASA control room, and, notably, its poker room continues to exist. Don't expect tons of open seats, though, especially if there's a tournament going on. If you find that Foxwoods looks a little tired in some places (It was built in 1986! The Stone Age!), head toward the centrally located Atrium lounge, which often has some musicians to liven things up. And if Sacred Heart Parish's Monday night gaming can't satisfy your needs, you'll be delighted by Foxwood's 4,000-seat bingo hall. Bostonist has yet to find a truly affordable way of getting to Foxwoods, so readers should divulge all their secrets immediately.
Both Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods have the standard run of table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, Caribbean stud poker, pai gow, let it ride, etc.), as well as race betting, video poker, and more slots than you can shake a stick at. Both have smoking and non-smoking areas, and gambling and non-gambling areas-- meaning you can visit these casinos even if you're not 21. Your movement will, however, be restricted. Entertainment, big name entertainment, is to be had frequently at both casinos. Free, of course. Their websites do, in theory, post all concert schedules.
Also, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun double as resorts, with multiple hotels servicing their clientele. Sign up for a player's club card at either casino, and you'll find your hotel rates magically shrinking. Charter a limousine to take you there, and you'll find your billfold magically shrinking.
Contributed by Katie Joyce
Photo courtesy of flickr.com/ YiMay Yang
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