The tribal operators of Mohegan Sun have planted a flag in the world’s gambling mecca.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), overseers of its subsidiary casinos in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Canada, announced Tuesday it’s inked a multi-year deal with JC Hospitality LLC to operate a soon-to-be renovated 60,000-square-foot casino and hotel complex known as Hard Rock Las Vegas, which is transitioning into Virgin Hotels Las Vegas upon completion in 2020.
The deal is contingent on successful completion of construction at the resort, which is now part of the Curio Collection by Hilton, and certain regulatory approvals by the Nevada Gaming Commission. Financial terms were not disclosed.
If approved, MGE says it would become the first Native American tribe to operate in the Las Vegas resort corridor.
“Aligning the MGE brand with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas extends our growing reach into yet another legendary global entertainment capital,” MGE CEO Mario Kontomerkos said in a statement.
An eight-month renovation of Hard Rock Las Vegas will begin in February before it reopens in fall 2020 under the Virgin Hotels brand.
According to plans, new restaurants, lounges and bars will be added, and upgrades will be made to various outdoor areas and to 130,000 square feet of meeting, event and convention space.
“This new and exciting relationship brings together two ‘best in class’ organizations and continues the Mohegan tribe’s tradition of blazing new trails for others to follow,” said James Gessner Jr., interim chairman of MGE.
The Las Vegas deal would become a major addition to MGE’s growing casino and entertainment footprint.
In recent months, MGE has taken over operations of two casinos and an entertainment complex being built in Canada. It’s also looking to build a $1.6 billion gaming and entertainment venue in South Korea.
Meantime, MGE has recorded lower year-over-year slot revenues at Mohegan Sun in the Uncasville section of Montville in 14 consecutive months.
