In 1996, the barely extant Mohegan tribe opened its gambling casino, and within a few weeks it was drawing 20,000 gamblers a day away from Foxwoods. Expansion followed as quickly here as it did at Foxwoods, and the complex now includes a "Casino of the Sky" wing to complement the original "Casino of the Earth." Both bulge with eager gamblers. "Earth" is circular, with table games from Texas hold [?]em to blackjack to craps to baccarat. They're supplemented by keno, a race book, and more than 6,000 slot machines. A new feature called Poker Pro automates the play. Overhead are simulated log constructions meant to suggest ancient lodge houses; it's an aesthetically pleasing space, as casinos go, although few of the avid players seem to notice. "Sky" directly adjoins the Mohegan Sun Hotel (below) and is more splashily Vegas in style. In between the two are over 30 pricey shops from Godiva Chocolatier and Brookstone to Coach and Swarovski. Mohegan has the edge over Foxwoods in its entertainment options. A 10,000-seat arena nestled between the two wings hosts a professional women's basketball team, the WNBA's Connecticut Sun, along with performances by the likes of musicians Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, and Kenny Chesney; comedian Chris Rock; and magician David Copperfield. The 300-seat Cabaret Theatre, in the "Sky" casino, brings in additional comedy shows and events like Ballroom Dancesport Extravaganza. The Wolf Den, located smack dab in the center of the "Earth" casino, books dance bands such as Martha Reeves and the Vandellas and the Tower of Power. Its shows are free. The 22,300-square-foot Elemis Spa inside the hotel, open from 7am to 10pm (to 11pm on Fri-Sat), has 15 therapy rooms, including two for "exotic rituals." If you win big -- or, conversely, if you want to take the edge off your losses -- ritual options include the "Ceremony of the Whirling River," featuring a jasmine-flower bath, massage, Frangipani hair and scalp conditioning, and "conditioning foot delight." It's $250 for 75 minutes. As they say: Easy come, easy go.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's New England, 14th Edition, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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