Mohegan Sun


Mohegan Sun is a large casino and entertainment complex located on 240 acres of the Mohegan Indian Reservation in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States, along the banks of the Thames River. It is owned and operated by the federally recognized Mohegan Tribe. The resort first opened on October 12, 1996 and has since become one of the largest casinos in the United States by gaming space.
The property includes more than 364,000 square feet of gaming space featuring over 6,500 slot machines, 370 table games, and a race book. Mohegan Sun is also home to the Mohegan Sun Arena, a 10,000-seat multi-purpose venue that serves as the home court for the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association.
Mohegan Sun includes two hotel towers: the original Sky Tower, and the Earth Tower, opened in 2016, which together provide more than 1,500 rooms. The resort also features a large retail and dining promenade, a spa, a 100,000-square-foot convention center, and unique architectural elements inspired by Native American culture, including the illuminated alabaster Wombi Rock and the indoor Taughannick Falls.
In addition to its entertainment and gaming operations, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest private employers in the state of Connecticut and contributes a share of its slot revenues to the state government.

History

Early development

The idea for building a casino on Mohegan tribal land originated in 1992, when a group of Connecticut-based developers proposed a partnership with the Mohegan Tribe to create a gaming and entertainment facility. The group included RJH Development, LMW Investments, and Slavik Suites Inc., who together formed Trading Cove Associates.
At the time, the Mohegan Tribe was not yet federally recognized, a legal status required to operate a casino under the provisions of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. Trading Cove Associates provided legal, financial, and strategic assistance to the tribe to support their efforts to achieve federal recognition, which was granted in March 1994.
The site selected for the resort was a 240-acre property on the Thames River in Uncasville, Connecticut, previously used by United Nuclear Corporation for the construction of nuclear reactor components. The site was decommissioned and cleaned up for reuse.
Following recognition, the Mohegan Tribe began negotiations to develop the casino with Trading Cove Associates. Sol Kerzner, a South African hotel and casino magnate and head of Kerzner International, joined the project by acquiring a 50% interest in TCA. The remaining 50% was held by Waterford Gaming. In 1995, the tribe established the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, a government instrumentality charged with oversight and development of the resort.

Opening and early years (1996–2000)

Construction of the casino and resort began following the Mohegan Tribe’s federal recognition and the formation of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority. Development was overseen by Trading Cove Associates, which managed the project on behalf of the tribe. The resort officially opened to the public on October 12, 1996.
The initial property included approximately 170,000 square feet of gaming space, featuring slot machines, table games, and a race book. It also offered multiple dining venues, a hotel, retail shops, and entertainment areas, including the 10,000-seat Mohegan Sun Arena, which would later become the home venue for the Connecticut Sun of the Women's National Basketball Association.
The partnership between the Mohegan Tribe and Trading Cove Associates continued after the resort's opening. However, in 2000, control of the property was fully transferred to the tribe. As part of the transition agreement, Trading Cove Associates continued to receive 5% of the gross revenue generated by Mohegan Sun through 2014.
During its first few years of operation, Mohegan Sun established itself as a major tourist destination in the Northeast. Its location, near other regional attractions and along the Interstate 95 corridor, helped attract millions of visitors annually. The success of the property played a central role in strengthening the economic position of the Mohegan Tribe and laid the foundation for future expansions.

Expansion and renovation

Following the success of its initial years, Mohegan Sun undertook a series of expansions and renovations to enhance its offerings and accommodate growing visitor demand: in the early 2000s, the property was renovated to include additional gaming space, expanded retail and dining options, and upgraded hotel accommodations.
In November 2006, the Mohegan Tribe announced a major $740 million expansion plan called "Project Horizon." The project was to be completed in phases and originally scheduled for full completion in 2010. It included the construction of a second hotel tower, a new 42-table poker room, and a third casino called Casino of the Wind. The new casino, which opened in August 2008, featured 650 slot machines and 28 table games.
However, due to the effects of the Great Recession and declining regional gaming revenue, Project Horizon was suspended in September 2008 before its full scope could be realized. The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority later recorded a $58.1 million impairment charge related to the halted expansion, and Project Horizon was formally terminated in the years that followed.
Despite the setback, Mohegan Sun continued to expand. In 2013, plans were announced for a 200,000-square-foot “Downtown District” adjacent to the resort, intended to feature a New England-themed food hall, a 14-screen movie theater, boutique retail shops, and a bowling-and-dining venue. Although widely reported, construction on this project was never completed.
One of the most significant additions came with the construction of the Earth Tower, a 400-room hotel tower opened on November 18, 2016. The Earth Tower was developed to meet rising hotel demand and was financed and built by a third-party developer, then leased back to Mohegan Sun to operate. It is directly connected to the existing Casino of the Earth and adds 242,000 square feet of hotel space to the resort.
In May 2018, Mohegan Sun opened the Earth Expo & Convention Center. The facility added 125,000 square feet of column-free exhibition space, a 20,000-square-foot ballroom, and 15 additional meeting rooms. Together with its existing conference and function space, the venue significantly increased Mohegan Sun’s ability to host large-scale conventions and trade shows.

COVID-19 pandemic

On March 17, 2020, Mohegan Sun closed its doors for the first time since opening in 1996, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was made jointly with Foxwoods Resort Casino, marking a rare, coordinated closure of the two tribal gaming properties in Connecticut.
The temporary closure had significant economic implications for the region. Thousands of Mohegan Sun employees were furloughed or laid off, contributing to a sharp rise in unemployment in southeastern Connecticut.
Although the casino is located on sovereign tribal land and not subject to state mandates, Governor Ned Lamont urged tribal leaders to delay reopening due to ongoing public health concerns. Despite the warnings, Mohegan Sun proceeded with a limited reopening on June 1, 2020, implementing a variety of safety measures including reduced capacity, health screenings, and the suspension of certain high-risk operations such as buffets and large gatherings.
In response, the state of Connecticut placed electronic warning signs on highways leading to the casinos to discourage travel to the facilities.
Over time, Mohegan Sun gradually resumed operations in accordance with health guidance and guest demand. The pandemic also prompted a shift toward digital engagement and sports betting, both of which would play larger roles in the casino's future operations.

Facilities

Casino

Mohegan Sun contains one of the largest gaming floors in the United States, with approximately 364,000 square feet of gaming space. The casino is divided into several themed areas, including the Casino of the Earth, Casino of the Sky, and Casino of the Wind. Each section features distinct architectural and design elements inspired by Native American culture and natural environments.
The gaming floor includes over 6,500 slot machines and more than 370 table games offering a variety of play styles. Table games include blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, three-card poker, and other traditional and specialty games.
The Casino of the Wind, opened in August 2008, includes a dedicated 42-table poker room, a 35-foot indoor waterfall, and approximately 650 slot machines.
Mohegan Sun also offers a racebook, which features simulcast wagering on horse and greyhound races from around the United States as well as international tracks in Australia and England. While Connecticut does not currently allow traditional sports betting at tribal casinos, the Mohegan Tribe has participated in negotiations with the state regarding the future of regulated online gaming and sports wagering.
In addition to traditional gaming, the casino offers electronic table games, including video versions of blackjack, craps, and roulette, catering to guests who prefer a hybrid digital experience.

Hotels

Mohegan Sun features two hotel towers: the Sky Tower and the Earth Tower. Together, they provide more than 1,500 guest rooms and suites, making the resort one of the largest hotel properties in the state of Connecticut.
The original Sky Tower opened with the resort in 1996. It stands 34 stories tall and includes over 1,200 rooms, including luxury suites and a 3,000-square-foot presidential suite. The tower offers amenities such as a spa, fitness center, indoor pool, and high-end concierge services.
The Earth Tower was opened on November 18, 2016, as part of a $139 million expansion to meet growing visitor demand. It includes 400 rooms across 242,000 square feet of hotel space. The tower was developed by a third-party firm and is leased by Mohegan Sun for day-to-day operations. The Earth Tower is connected to the Casino of the Earth and features a lobby lounge, coffee and snack bar, fitness area, and access to resort amenities.
Both towers are accessible via indoor walkways to the casino, convention center, retail promenade, and entertainment venues. The hotel's architectural design incorporates elements inspired by natural landscapes and Native American motifs, consistent with the thematic style used throughout the resort.