Jan 19, 2021 | Community Relations, General News, Travel & Leisure, Uncategorized
UNCASVILLE, CT (January 19, 2021) – Mohegan Sun, recently named an “Industry Innovator” by Eastern Connecticut’s Chamber of Commerce, is proud to be among the first casino resorts in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide. The comprehensive facility verification helps ensure that guests and travel planners can book with confidence at properties that have appropriate health safety procedures in place. This verification also comes with an easily identifiable “seal of approval” – the Sharecare VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide badge – based on compliance with expert-validated best practices that minimize the risk and impact of COVID-19 and potential future public health events.
“We are thrilled to be one of the first resorts to receive this important verification from Sharecare and Forbes Travel Guide,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “This is another testament to our team’s hard work and ability to quickly adapt in the unpredictable environment we live in. We will continue to be an innovative force in the hospitality industry by remaining dedicated to providing a safe atmosphere for guests while delivering exceptional guest service.”
Developed by Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on genuine Five-Star service, and digital health industry leader Sharecare, the comprehensive verification covers more than 360 standards across health and hygiene protocols, cleaning products and procedures, ventilation, physical distancing, the guest experience, and health safety communication with guests and employees. Hotels and resorts are required to verify their health protocols on an ongoing basis to ensure continued compliance with the most up-to-date global health standards.
“The pandemic has made it clear that hotels and resorts must, first and foremost, assure guests of their safety,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “By becoming VERIFIED®, Mohegan Sun has demonstrated its commitment to creating a culture of accountability and following global best practices to heighten health security, certified by a third party.”
In response to the global pandemic, Mohegan Sun invested over $1 million in a health & safety plan that includes non-invasive thermal temperature scans, cutting edge UV light technology installed in air handler systems, plexiglass dividers at transactional locations, rigorous cleaning protocols, mandatory mask requirements and more. Health and safety protocols for Mohegan Sun are created with guidance from the Mohegan Tribal Health Department, an on-site team of medical experts equipped with the knowledge, tools and direct pipelines to additional health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CTDPH). As a result of this invaluable resource, health and safety protocols at Mohegan Sun meet, and in many cases exceed, those set by the CDC and CTDPH.
Mohegan Sun is one of the only casino & entertainment destinations in the nation that has been able to safely host “bubble” experiences for major sporting events in the past year, including a historic residency with Bellator MMA and SHOWTIME Sports®, and hosting College Basketball’s “Bubbleville” tournament that featured 26 games over the course of 10 days.
All health and safety protocols are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect the needs of the community, along with state and federal recommendations. A full list of Mohegan Sun’s guidelines can be found at mohegansun.com/updates.
ABOUT FORBES TRAVEL GUIDE
Forbes Travel Guide is the only independent, global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas. Started as Mobil Travel Guide in 1958, the company created the first Five-Star rating system in the United States. Today, Forbes Travel Guide’s incognito inspectors travel the world, evaluating properties based on up to 900 rigorous, objective standards. Forbes Travel Guide also supports the hospitality industry and other service-oriented businesses such as luxury residential, healthcare and private clubs with bespoke training solutions, evaluation services and the creation of custom service standards. For more information, please visit partner.forbestravelguide.com.
ABOUT SHARECARE
Sharecare is the leading digital health company that helps people – no matter where they are in their health journey – unify and manage all their health in one place. Our comprehensive and data-driven virtual health platform is designed to help people, providers, employers, health plans, government organizations, and communities optimize individual and population-wide well-being by driving positive behavior change. Driven by our philosophy that we are all together better, at Sharecare, we are committed to supporting each individual through the lens of their personal health and making high-quality care more accessible and affordable for everyone. To learn more, visit www.sharecare.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Jan 11, 2021 | Entertainment, Food & Beverage, General News
Sun Wine & Food Fest, one of Mohegan Sun’s largest property-wide events, has been
officially postponed for 2021. This difficult decision was made in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as keeping the community safe takes precedence.
Over the past 17 years, Sun Wine & Food Fest has developed into a four-day, multi-event festival. The event welcomes thousands of guests over the course of the weekend and features 30 local and nationally acclaimed chefs. Hundreds of vendors are also showcased to offer the greatest assortment of experiences for guests. Sun Wine & Food Fest brings people from all over for the same reason – to celebrate and experience the incredible art and joy of the culinary world.
Despite the cancellation of this year’s event, Mohegan Sun is still looking to support partners and the culinary community. The 18th Annual Sun Wine & Food Fest will occur in 2022. For sponsorship opportunities, contact [email protected]. For event exhibitor and participation inquiries, contact [email protected].
Guests can sign up to receive email updates about events and happenings at Mohegan Sun, along with our health and safety protocols at mohegansun.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Jan 6, 2021 | Gaming, General News
UNCASVILLE, CT (January 6, 2021) – Slot players at Mohegan Sun will be howling with excitement when the property hosts the world premiere event of Aristocrat Technologies, Inc.’s new Timber Wolf Diamond™ slot game on January 28, 2021 at 1:00pm.
Timber Wolf Diamond is an all-new version of the player-favorite Timber Wolf™ from Aristocrat Gaming™, and it is also the latest evolution of one of the industry’s top performing games, Buffalo Diamond™
Mohegan Sun will celebrate the occasion by inviting 250 Momentum members to experience the slot game first. Momentum members can register at the Arena Club to participate. This promotion is limited to one round per Momentum member.
The characters and symbols players love from Timber Wolf are all here, along with an incredible lineup of new features. Timber Wolf Diamond offers players an astounding 2,400 ways to win, along with four fun levels of Cumulative Free Games with a 2x to 4x multiplier. This, combined with Timber Wolf’s classic 3x and 5x wild re-spin feature, means Timber Wolf Diamond creates new boundaries of surprises and excitement.
Timber Wolf is housed in Aristocrat’s all-new and groundbreaking Neptune Double™ cabinet. The Neptune Double is supercharged with stacked, curved 49-inch monitors, 4K graphics, and all-new custom-designed and adjustable sound chairs. Ergonomics go to new heights in the Neptune Double. For example, meticulous design resulted in a perfect screen angle, so the player can look straight up and see the top progressive meter.
“As an extension of Mohegan Sun’s commitment to providing our guests with the most exceptional gaming experiences, we are excited to introduce Aristocrat’s new Timber Wolf Diamond™ slot game to our casino floor. The cabinet’s screen design and pristine presentation make it a standout in Casino of the Sky,” said Jeff Hamilton, Mohegan Sun president & general manager.
“Mohegan Sun has been an outstanding partner of Aristocrat’s for years, and we are thrilled to host this event for the incredible, new Timber Wolf Diamond with the property,” said Jon Hanlin, senior vice president of commercial strategy and business analytics. “At Aristocrat, we say the world’s best innovations are created by the world’s best employees, and Timber Wolf Diamond and the Neptune Double cabinet are two prime examples of our commitment to innovation for our customers.”
For more information about Aristocrat’s industry-leading games and systems solutions, contact your Aristocrat representative or visit www.aristocratgaming.com. Join Aristocrat on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
ABOUT ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Aristocrat Technologies Inc. is a subsidiary of Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL), a global games leader with more than 6,000 employees. The company is licensed in over 300 gaming jurisdictions, operates in more than 90 countries, and offers a unique blend products and services. The company’s mission is to bring joy to life through the power of play. Its values are rooted in creativity and technology, and the company has a rich history of innovation that has shaped the gaming industry over many decades. For further information, visit the company’s website at www.aristocratgaming.com
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Jan 5, 2021 | Boxing, Entertainment, General News, Sports
One of the premier casino and entertainment destinations in the United States made a vital pivot during the pandemic to safely host major sports, primarily inside the award-winning Mohegan Sun Arena
UNCASVILLE, CT (January 5, 2021) – 2020 was a historic
year that resulted in every major entertainment venue across the globe shutting down due to the worst pandemic in a century, accounting for billions in lost live entertainment revenue. Mohegan Sun Arena still found a way to stay open and generate a new revenue stream by reimagining itself as a residency broadcast center. Industry leading safety protocols joined the hard-working entertainment division at Mohegan Sun, led by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s (MGE) President of Sports & Entertainment, Tom Cantone – and soon major sporting events (Bellator MMA, SHOWTIME Sports and College Basketball), were planned and executed without fans in attendance. As a result, Mohegan Sun Arena became one of only few venues in the United States open and producing live events. In all, these residencies in 2020 brought in 650+ professional and college athletes competing to audiences stretching in the millions across network TV, pay-per-view, social media platforms and streaming services, the latter of which had huge impacts on increased viewership.
“We wanted to adapt in an impactful way to the unforeseen challenges that Mohegan Sun, especially our award-winning Mohegan Sun Arena, suddenly faced when the pandemic arrived,” said Dave Martinelli, Chief Marketing Officer of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE). “These high-profile sporting events that we signed on and in which were successfully and collaboratively ran, did just that.”
The first deal was struck by Cantone this past summer when a historic residency with SHOWTIME Sports and Bellator MMA was made, creating the opportunity for a string of nationally televised and much anticipated sporting events to be featured in Mohegan Sun Arena. These live broadcast events with the ViacomCBS owned SHOWTIME Sports and Bellator MMA, which will continue in 2021, featured Premier Boxing events on SHOWTIME and SHOWTIME Pay-Per-View (PPV) as well as action packed Bellator MMA fights most frequently broadcast on the Paramount Network and CBS Sports Network. The success of the ViacomCBS residencies soon led to additional interest from other major sports – including the NCAA. Martinelli netted a deal to host 25+ Division 1 NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball teams over the course of 10 days in late November and early December 2020. The agreement came together through partnerships with The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and Gazelle Group.
“We created positive momentum with the incredible bubble-site residencies Mohegan Sun Arena hosted for SHOWTIME Boxing and Bellator MMA,” said Cantone. “Our efforts to keep our Arena in action proved how important relationships can be and allowed for additional opportunities such as “Bubbleville” to come to fruition. Through all of these events, comprehensive health and safety standards were carried out with tremendous efficiency by everyone involved, including the healthcare professionals with the Mohegan Tribal Health Department and other healthcare teams assisting us. I’m extremely proud of what our Mohegan Sun management, team members and our partners executed in such a challenging year.”
“Bubbleville,” as it was billed and came to be known in national press coverage ahead of and during its run from November 25th – December 5th of 2020, saw multiple big-time teams from the likes of Villanova, Florida, Virginia, USC, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Uconn and Arizona State take the floor for the start of their seasons. Similar to the boxing and MMA events, in-person crowds were not present though various games were played to national audiences through ESPN networks and the online streaming platform, FLOHOOPS. After unfortunate setbacks to start, where some teams were not able to take part in “Bubbleville,” the tournaments moved forward, in large part due to the strict safety measures enacted and vital testing schedules conducted by Hartford Healthcare and Mirimus, who administered 2,800 tests among teams and staff.
“Bubbleville protocols included all teams, staff and other vital personnel like referees and broadcasters to take saliva based tests upon arrival and during their stay in the bubble,” said Dave Martinelli, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s CMO. “We hit some setbacks just as the games were set to begin, though focus wasn’t lost, and what followed was 10 days of great College Basketball under a tight system of the type rarely seen before at a casino resort destination.”
Villanova’s championship winning head coach, Jay Wright, also commented to APNews mid-way through “Bubbleville” at Mohegan Sun by saying, “You feel safe, you know you can get a game in here and you know the team you’re playing is going to be safe. I think that’s going to be important throughout this year to find environments like this.”
More than 17,000 hotel room nights were booked at Mohegan Sun’s Sky Tower and Earth Tower during these three major sporting deals. In total, Mohegan Sun gained vast exposure on a variety of media platforms including CBS Sports, ESPN, Paramount Network, Showtime Network, YouTube, the Bellator App, DAZN, TV Spots 5 UK and additional streaming services like FLOHOOPS.
“The exposure we were able to receive as part of these opportunities last year was highly significant,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “Bubbleville hosted a game on Thanksgiving night, live on ESPN, where the Arizona StateSun Devils battled and fell to the #4 Villanova Wildcats. This game had a household Television audience of 591,000, equating to nearly 1 million overall potential viewers. This was just one of many big-time national audiences our venue and brand was a part of in 2020.”
Additional highly rated events, live from Mohegan Sun Arena last year, included Bellator 249 (Cyborg vs. Blencowe on October 15th), Bellator 250 (Mousasi vs. Lima on October 29th) and Bellator 254 (Macfarlane vs. Velasquez on December 10th), among others. And one of the most anticipated boxing events came on September 26, 2020, when in a WBC World Middleweight title fight, Jermall Charlo defeated Sergly Derevyanchenko in a 12 round unanimous decision. Boxing history was also made on this night as the fight card included four other World Championship Title fights live from Mohegan Sun Arena and broadcast to viewers worldwide on Showtime Pay-Per-View (PPV). The pandemic created an opportunity to capture a home audience of more than 12 million viewers during the ViacomCBS broadcasts, with ratings in the double digits.
“During an unprecedented year, we found a way to generate a new revenue stream, create impactful brand exposure, fill hotel rooms and bring back an entertainment workforce,” said Cantone. “No virus could kill the spirit of this incredible team who made the words, “Live from Mohegan Sun Arena,” a monumental achievement in 2020.”
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN ARENA
Mohegan Sun Arena is now ranked consistently among the top venues in the world according to Billboard Magazine, Pollstar and Venues Now and is also consistently ranked top 15 in the world for “All Size Venues.” The award–winning venue was named “#1 Social Media Venue in the World” in 2016 and is a seven–time Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) national award–winner for “Arena of the Year,” with the most recent recognition coming in 2019. In 2020, Mohegan Sun Arena remained one of the top venues in the world according to year-end reports by both Pollstar and Venues Now. For more information and updates on Mohegan Sun Arena, call 1.888.226.7711 or visit Mohegan Sun.
ABOUT MOHEGAN GAMING & ENTERTAINMENT
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) is a master developer and operator of premier global integrated entertainment resorts, including Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, Inspire in Incheon, South Korea, and Niagara Casinos in Niagara, Canada. MGE is owner, developer, and/or manager of integrated entertainment resorts throughout the United States, including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Northern Asia, Niagara Falls, Canada, and coming soon pending regulatory approval, Las Vegas, Nevada. MGE is owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA and New England Black Wolves, a professional lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. For more information on MGE and our properties, visit www.mohegangaming.com.
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Dec 29, 2020 | Breaking News, Gaming, General News
Mohegan Sun’s Poker Room, located in Casino of the Earth, reopened 6 of its 33 tables this morning, and will feature no more than 7 players per table
UNCASVILLE, CT (December 29, 2020) – Mohegan Sun Poker has made its return
and will be open daily from 10:00am – 2:00am. With health & safety being the top priority, the Poker Room reopens at under one third of its total tables, will feature a max of 7 players at a table at once and will incorporate safety shields for players and dealers. Spectators, as well as food, will not be permitted in the Poker Room, and guests must sanitize hands with easily accessible hand sanitizer before touching cards.
The Mohegan Sun Poker Room temporarily closed down in mid-March 2020, along with Mohegan Sun as a whole, due to the pandemic. Mohegan Sun, after investing more than $1 million in health and safety protocols across property, reopened to the public on June 1st. The return of Poker at Mohegan Sun will not immediately feature promotions and tournaments, though updates will become available in the near future. Additional details and safety measures include:
- Both guests and team members are required to wear protective masks in the Poker Room, as is required across all of Mohegan Sun.
- Physical distancing will be instituted and monitored.
- Polycarbonate dividers will be used on all active poker tables.
- Cards will be removed and sanitized at regular intervals.
- A player’s seat and section will be cleaned after they end their play.
- Sanitizing dispensers will be located throughout the Mohegan Sun Poker Room.
- The Mohegan Sun Poker Room is smoke-free, spacious and well ventilated.
The most regular cash game offering in the Mohegan Sun Poker Room will currently be limit and no limit Texas Hold ’Em, though other popular offerings include 7 Card Stud and Omaha, among others. The Poker Room may move to 10 open tables in the near future. For more information on the Mohegan Sun Poker Room, visit mohegansun.com/playing/poker.html
Mohegan Sun works in tandem with The Mohegan Tribal Health Department, who operate on-site and whose health & safety guidance and leadership on all resort operations is paramount. To stay up to date on all things Mohegan Sun, and to view Mohegan Sun’s full health & safety plan, visit mohegansun.com/updates
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN: Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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Dec 22, 2020 | Community Relations, Employment, Food & Beverage, General News
Mohegan Sun was recently recognized as “Industry Innovator” by the Chamber
of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut’s annual awards, also known as the “ECTys,” aiming to recognize excellence in both business and the community. The “Industry Innovator” award showcases businesses of any size that have shown strong ability to adapt to the marketplace by introducing or embracing new concepts or technologies to better serve customers. This award also takes into account businesses that provide unique opportunities for its workforce development.
“Being recognized with this particular ECTy Award is truly an honor for Mohegan Sun,” said Jeff Hamilton, President & General Manager of Mohegan Sun. “Our goal is to always adapt and evolve to any business environment, stay on the cutting edge of customer service and develop rising stars within our company. Two key areas where this has been a major success is through key upgrades at our hotel and through our Disability Vocational Program.”
With casino & resort competition on the increase in recent years, Mohegan Sun made a major design upgrade to its iconic 36-level Sky Tower hotel. A full VIP treatment was rolled out through a “hotel-in-a-hotel” known as Aspire. Located on the highest levels of Sky Tower, Aspire guests receive their own private valet and check-in, as well as a unique arrival gift that joins sweeping views of the New England countryside and five-star accommodations. Aspire guests also can take advantage of their very own butler and access to the exclusive luxury food and beverage experience on the 33rd floor, aptly titled, Thirty Three.
Mohegan Sun hotel rooms now also feature an advanced and fully automated minibar by Bartech, which allows guests to purchase food and other items with ease, while allowing Mohegan Sun’s hotel front office to easily track sales.
When it comes to workforce development, Mohegan Sun has been an industry leader. Mohegan Sun’s Student Vocational Inclusion Program, which gains improvements and new talent every year, provides internships across various focuses for young people with physical, developmental and intellectual disabilities. Local schools in Montville, Norwich, Waterford and more, are partners in the program that has now been running strong for nearly 10 years. Mohegan Sun’s Wardrobe department, Culinary team, Environmental Services (EVS), among other areas, have all had positive impacts from the program. As a testament to that success, many internships result in permanent and meaningful roles at Mohegan Sun.
While Mohegan Sun’s showrooms have not been open to the public during the global pandemic, earlier in 2020, an innovative food app ordering system (Noble) was implemented in Mohegan Sun Arena where guests can order concessions directly from their seat. This service will return in the future, when entertainment programming on a wider level is able to safety return.
Mohegan Sun, like so many businesses and destinations, also had to evolve and adapt quickly over the course of the global pandemic and become smart, creative and most importantly, safe. After a temporary closure that occurred in the spring, Mohegan Sun re-opened with well over $1 million spent on a health & safety plan that involved non-invasive thermal temperature scans, UV light technology throughout air handler systems, plexiglass dividers at transactional locations, rigorous cleaning protocols, mask requirements and much more. The Mohegan Tribal Health Department also operates on-site and proved vital in all phases of Mohegan Sun’s health & safety measures. They also played a key role in Mohegan Sun Arena becoming home to multiple bubble-site residencies for major sporting events in recent months, such as College Basketball’s “Bubbleville,” that featured 26 games, many of which were nationally televised, across 10 days in late November and early December.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN:
Owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, Mohegan Sun is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to two unique casinos, 1,600 deluxe hotel rooms, two world-class spas, a golf course, over 80 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram @mohegansun, view us on YouTube and find us on Snapchat at username MoheganSun.
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