Foxwoods Marks 40 Years Of Bingo With $1 Million Firecracker Bingo And Official Attempt At Guinness World Records Title
Milestone event honors the game that launched Foxwoods and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's vision that made it possible
Mashantucket, CT (June 25, 2026) – Forty years ago, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation opened a bingo hall on sovereign land in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and in doing so, laid the foundation for what would become Foxwoods Resort Casino. On Saturday, July 4, Foxwoods will mark that milestone with Firecracker Bingo, a landmark celebration featuring more than $1 million in cash and prizes, including a massive $440,000 single cash jackpot, and a live attempt at the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title for the largest payout for a game of bingo (single bingo house).
"The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation saw an opportunity to build something meaningful for future generations, and bingo became the catalyst for that vision," said Rodney A. Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. "The impact extends far beyond the game itself. This anniversary is an opportunity to honor the determination, leadership, and community that helped shape the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation's success story and create lasting opportunities for our people."
The bingo hall that opened on July 5, 1986 was more than a business venture. It was an early and meaningful expression of Tribal self-determination — one that created economic opportunity for the Mashantucket Pequot people, helped establish a model for tribal gaming that would be recognized nationally and brought gaming to the State of Connecticut. Foxwoods Resort Casino officially opened in 1992, but its roots trace directly back to that original bingo operation.
"What the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation built forty years ago wasn't just a bingo hall. It was a blueprint," said Jason Guyot, President and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino. "That vision and courage to invest in something that had never been done at that scale on tribal land is the reason Foxwoods exists today. Attempting to set a Guinness World Records title on the same anniversary feels like the right way to honor that legacy, a milestone worthy of the one that started it all."
Today, Foxwoods operates one of the largest bingo halls in the United States, with more than 2,000 seats. Firecracker Bingo will bring together longtime players and first-time guests to celebrate the game that started it all. An official Guinness World Records adjudicator will be on-site to evaluate the official attempt at the title for Largest payout for a game of bingo (single bingo house), in accordance with Guinness World Records guidelines.
"I am thrilled to be at Foxwoods for this exciting moment," said Michael Empric, Adjudicator, Guinness World Records. "The official attempt for the Guinness World Records title for Largest payout for a game of bingo (single bingo house) reflect the ensuring popularity of bingo and the excitement it continues to generate. We look forward to seeing this milestone unfold"
Forty years after the first games were called, bingo remains one of Foxwoods' most beloved traditions. Firecracker Bingo is both a celebration of that history and a chance to aim to set a new milestone.
40TH ANNIVERSARY FIRECRACKER BINGO
WHAT:
Foxwoods Resort Casino's 40th Anniversary Firecracker Bingo celebration featuring more than $1 million in cash and prizes, including a $440,000 grand prize jackpot and $40,000 in door prizes. The event will also include an official attempt at the Guinness World Records title for Largest payout for a game of bingo (single bingo house), subject to verification.
WHEN:
Saturday, July 4, 2026
Doors Open: 6:00 a.m.
Warm-Up Games Begin: 12:00 p.m.
Main Games Begin: 1:00 p.m.
WHERE:
High Stakes Bingo Hall
Foxwoods Resort Casino
350 Trolley Line Boulevard
Mashantucket, CT 06338
TICKETS:
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online through Ticketmaster at this link or in person at the Foxwoods Bingo Hall. Early purchase is strongly encouraged.
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About Foxwoods Resort Casino
As one of the leading resort destinations in the Northeast, Foxwoods Resort Casino offers a dynamic mix of gaming, hospitality, dining, and entertainment experiences. Owned and operated by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods has undergone a remarkable evolution, consistently redefining what an integrated resort destination can be. Driven by a clear vision for the future, Foxwoods remains committed to creating memorable experiences and continuously expanding the possibilities of the guest experience.
The resort features more than 1,900 hotel rooms across three distinct hotel towers, expansive gaming floors, Tanger Outlets shopping, and over 175,000 square feet of flexible meeting and event space. Through collaborations with industry-leading brands such as The Bedford by Martha Stewart, DraftKings Sportsbook, Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Momosan by Morimoto, and Great Wolf Lodge, Foxwoods consistently delivers dynamic, highly curated experiences.
Through ongoing investment, strategic partnerships, and an expanding range of experiences, Foxwoods continues to evolve as a modern resort destination for gaming, hospitality, entertainment and beyond. To learn more, visit www.foxwoods.com.