Tribe Celebrates Start of New Gambling Empire
6 Jul 2006
The Mashantucket Pequots have a lot to celebrate since the inauguration of the superb gambling complex and casino happened 20 years ago. The tribe observed a special anniversary on Saturday to rejoice the beginning of the tribe's first venture into legalized gambling. Foxwoods Resort Casino, one of the world's largest gambling complexes, began 20 years ago this month as a high-stakes bingo hall. The prizes differed somewhat then and now: A Cadillac was a grand prize in the first session. For the anniversary celebration, the tribe set aside a $1 million top prize!!
A tribal member said that the gambling complex had special meaning for the tribe because it was the first stepping stone to them getting independence, not only financially, but as a tribe pulling everybody together. She remembered how the original bingo gambling hall, which seated 1,600 patrons, has since been replaced by a 3,500-seat room that is claimed to be the biggest bingo arena in the United States. Six years after the bingo hall opened its doors, the tribe inaugurated the Foxwoods High Stakes Bingo & Casino, a $58 million project that held 170 table games, an renovated bingo gambling hall, a retail shop and three restaurants.
Since then the gambling complex has not stopped growing. The resort's latest expansion plan is a $700 million project that will include a new 825-room hotel tower and spa, meeting and convention space, more restaurants and shops and a new 4,000-seat performing arts theater.
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