26 Indian Gaming May 2006

HIGH ROLLERS

Foxwoods Resort and Casino is the world's largest casino and one of the most luxurious gaming properties in the

industry. Truly a resort property, Foxwoods offers high-endentertainment in the 1,400-seat Fox Theatre; a host of relax-ing treatments in the Grand Salon and Spa; and a challenginggolf course with the 900-acre Lake of Isles. For the true gamer,Foxwoods boasts more than 7,400 slot machines and a wideassortment of table games, including the recently added WPTWorld Poker Room. Stargazer Casino, located at the top of Foxwoods Grand Pequot Tower Hotel, however, adds a wholenew dimension of elegance.

From the 24th floor of the tower, where guests enjoy finedining at Paragon, players can venture up the winding marblestaircase to the ritzy Stargazer Casino. “It's a place wherehigh-end customers can play, relax and not be bothered,” saidKen Davie, Vice President of Table Games for Foxwoods.“It's a really high end offering for our guests.”

The 2,162 sq. ft. Stargazer Casino was designed with the highroller in mind, boasting very elegant furnishings. The show-piece is a blue, translucent world globe that measures 16 ft. indiameter. The globe houses numerous LED light fixtures thatgive the illusion of a slow rotation. Another eye-catching treatfor guests are the color-changing water walls - another illusionpowered by LED lights - that extend from floor to ceiling.“There are windows in the room, as well,” said Davie, “so guestshave wonderful, panoramic views of the woods.” The casinoalso features rare, exotic wood paneling, marble and granite floor tiles, and fiber optical lighting.

“The décor is very rich, but with a very muted type of light-ing,” said Davie. “It features darker tones and is by no meansa bright, contemporary design. It's reminiscent of a European-style casino.” An example of the room's elegance is the gaming tables themselves, which are richly appointed andmade of African Macassar Ebony. “The tables are all beauti-fully made. The room is very high end in terms of its furnitureand fixtures.”

For those customers desiring a truly private gamingexperience, Stargazer Casino houses a private salon area, aswell. Separated from the main floor by a large oak door, thesalon measures approximately 600 sq. ft. and houses twoadditional gaming tables, one for blackjack and the otherfor baccarat. The salon is plush and includes windows,

The Private Gaming Experience at Foxwood’s

by AJ Naff

May 2006 Indian Gaming 27

giving guests views of the surrounding woodland. The gaming offerings in Stargazer consist entirely of

table games, which include blackjack, roulette and baccarat.The minimum bet for the room is $100, though accordingto Davie the minimums can change depending on the customer. “You'll also see $200 minimum limits ranging upto $1,000 minimum limits,” said Davie. “It really just dependson the individual.”

Because of the high limits, Stargazer tends to only admitguests of the big spending caliber. When customers arrive inthe area, they must first stop at the host desk and present thehost with either a name or their Wampum players club card.“The type of customers you'll find up there are those whoseaverage casino bets are in the several hundred dollar range,”said Davie.

The host generally checks the status of the guests, based onaverage bets and/or players club points, and decides whetheror not to allow them in the room. “We will occasionally allowlower caliber players to come in and walk around the room,”said Davie, “but the customers that are in there generallydon't like to have a lot of spectators.”

Stargazer Casino also offers its guests an exceptional levelof service. The general manager individually selects every staffmember for Stargazer Casino, from the servers to the dealers.

“We only put our best people up there,” said Davie, “so the levelof service is first class.” Stargazer also houses a cage cashier thatcan handle any transaction that is possible on the main casinofloor. Being located directly above Paragon, Stargazer Casinodoes not offer regular food service, though if customers wishto be served food, accommodations can be made.

Stargazer Casino does offer a superb cocktail service that provides guests with virtually any type of cocktail they desire.“Guests can essentially order from a wide selection of specialtydrinks that they might not be able to get at other lounges inthe complex,” said Davie. “At Stargazer, they can order champagne, special bottles of wine, brandy, or most any typeof high-end liquor or liqueur.” Guests who would like a breakfrom the gaming action can also step into Stargazer's intimateprivate bar.

Foxwoods' exclusive Stargazer Casino is an elegant offering for the high-end player seeking a retreat from themain casino floor. With its unique panoramic views, top-notch level of service, and fluctuating minimum bets, Stargazeris capable of delivering both a relaxing and an exciting exclusive atmosphere. ¨

For more information about Foxwoods Resort & Casino, visitwww.foxwoods.com