The new casino is a joint venture between the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and investment firm LionGrove, building on the Foxwoods brand.

Attending the opening was Puerto Rico’s Governor Pedro Pierluisi, Mayor of Carolina José Carlos Aponte Dalmau, Tribal Council members and Foxwoods’ President and CEO Jason Guyot, as well as local dignitaries and community members.

They inaugurated the event with a ribbon cutting before thousands of guests were ushered into the Foxwoods El San Juan for the first time. Pierluisi heralded the casino’s opening as a landmark event for Puerto Rico, which he believes will boost the island’s economy.

“This past January, we made the historic announcement that this iconic casino would reopen its doors. After a lot of work, today I am pleased to be present to formalise the opening of Foxwoods El San Juan Casino,” said Pierluisi.

“With Foxwoods El San Juan Casino’s capital investment of $12.5m, the casino will positively impact our economy and create over 150 direct jobs. I remain committed to the economic development of our island, through efforts like Foxwoods El San Juan Casino, to boost tourism growth and investment in Puerto Rico.”

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation owns and operates the flagship Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut, with this development marking its first step into the Caribbean. Chairman of the Tribe, Rodney Butler, also highlighted the benefits it hopes this latest venture will bring to Puerto Rico.

“Today is a landmark milestone for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation as we expand the Foxwoods Resort Casino brand — for the first time ever — to the Caribbean,” he said.

“We're honoured to bring real economic value and tourism to the region — including an estimated economic impact of $22m — with the launch of Foxwoods El San Juan Casino and remain a committed partner as we help build a bright future for the island.”