The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Foxwoods Resort Casino on Wednesday.

The tribe entered the gaming industry with a bingo hall in 1986. The effort quickly became a success and paved the way for the February 15, 1992, opening of Foxwoods, which remains one of the largest casinos in the world.

"From a tribe declared extinct, whose very name was outlawed by treaty to one of the state's leading employers and sources of revenue, what an amazing transition that is," Chairman Rodney Butler said at the birthday celebration, WTNH-TV reported.

The tribe is looking to make the facility even bigger with the addition of 85-store outlet mall. Details are still being worked out with developer Sheldon Gordon.

Since 1992, the tribe has shared $3.3 billion in slot machine revenues with the state.

Get the Story:
At 20, Foxwoods looks ahead (The Norwich Bulletin 2/16)
Foxwoods sets stage for expansion (The New London Day 2/16)
Foxwoods Touts Luxury Outlet Mall, But Offers Few Details (The Hartford Courant 2/16)
Foxwoods readies to blunt loss from Mass. (The Boston Herald 2/16)
On Foxwoods' 20th, Malloy declares the casinos a partner (The Connecticut Mirror 2/15)
Foxwoods says "go big or go home" (WTNH-TV 2/15)

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Mashantucket Tribe set to announce outlet mall at casino (2/2)