The MGM Grand at Foxwoods held their official opening at midnight on Saturday May 17. Many Hollywood stars and other celebrities were on hand for the event which included an exclusive cocktail party followed by a red carpet entrance to the christening concert at the 4,000-seat MGM Grand Theater featuring Alicia Keys, John Mayer, and Josh Groban.

Foxwoods, located in Mashantucket, Connecticut is already the largest casino in the world and the new addition adds 53 table games and 1,400 slot machines along with 825 additional hotel rooms and the largest convention facility in New England. The MGM Grand at Foxwoods is a separate casino but will be connected with a walkway. The players club will be joined so players can earn and spend their comp points and either casino.

In other Connecticut gaming news, the nearby Mohegan Sun casino, held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday May 14, for a 39-story hotel that will add 925 hotel rooms and the House of Blues music hall. It is expected to open in 2010.