Las Vegas Poised To Have Its First Tribal Casino Operator

Casino gambling has been legal in Nevada since 1931, but in all that time, there hasn’t been a single tribal casino operator in Las Vegas… until now.

Pending final regulatory approval, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), a subsidiary of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, will run the Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas – the former Hard Rock.

“This is an important milestone, and we are eager to bring MGE’s world-class gaming to our network of loyal thrill-seekers in the entertainment capital of the world,” said Mario Kontomerkos, MGE’s Chief Executive Officer in a July 1 press release. “With industry veterans like Joe and Tyler at the helm of Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas, we are confident that our first venture into Las Vegas will be a fruitful one, and we are looking forward to welcoming guests later this year.”

From Hard Rock to Virgin

Richard Branson purchased the Hard Rock in 2018. The property closed in February 2020 for a planned $200 million remodel (good timing), intending to reopen as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on January 15, 2021.  Mohegan will operate the casino at the property.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) unanimously recommended licensing a dozen critical individuals from Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment during an online hearing. If the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) concurs during am October 22 hearing, Las Vegas will have its first tribal casino operator.

Sports Betting at Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas

According to a July press release, Mohegan selected Betfred USA Sports as its Sportsbook operator inside Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

“We’re excited to work with Betfred, one of the leading Sportsbook operators in the UK and Europe,” said Aviram Alroy, Vice President of Interactive Gaming at MGE. “Our affiliation will introduce new and attractive competition to the Las Vegas market. Betfred will create a seamless and best-in-class experience on our gaming floor, which will cater to both domestic and international visitors.”

“Given our collaboration with two outstanding operators in Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, we are confident that our first foray into the Las Vegas Sportsbook market will be a great success,” said Betfred Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Mark Stebbings.”Through our shared expertise, we will be offering a top-class service for sports bettors in the entertainment capital of the world.”

Mohegan’s Rapid Expansion

The tribe’s flagship property, Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, opened its doors in 1996.

A decade later, the company began expanding to other US jurisdictions, when it opened the Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs Casino in Pennsylvania. In the ensuing years, it continued to increase its casino presence in the US.   

• Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania
• Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ
• Paragon Casino Resort in Louisiana
• ilani in Washington State

The company also operates three international casino properties, Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in Ontario, Canada, and Inspire Entertainment Resort Seoul, South Korea.

Mohegan has also made strong bids to build casinos in Massachusetts and New York, but both projects were ultimately rejected in favor of competing proposals. Mohegan hasn’t given up on a Massachusetts casino property. The company made an offer to purchase the Encore Boston Harbor casino in Everett, MA, in 2019.