Bobby Soper, president and CEO of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which oversees Mohegan Sun and is involved in launching Connecticut’s third casino, has resigned.
In charge since 2015, Soper reportedly left Tuesday for another opportunity he would not specify, according to information first reported by The Day. It is unclear if any new position Soper takes is in the gaming industry. Multiple calls and emails to the MTGA have not been returned with comment.
Mitchell Etess, a senior adviser to the tribe who preceded Soper as the MTGA’s top non-tribal executive, will take charge on an interim basis while the tribe searches for a permanent replacement, The Day reported.
In addition to participating in the MMCT Venture project to launch a third Connecticut casino with the Mashantucket Pequot tribe, Soper has led the MTGA in economic development ventures that include an “entertainment city” and casino in South Korea and the ilani Resort in cooperation with the Cowlitz Indian Tribe in LaCenter, Wash.
In mid-November, Mohegan Sun also opened a new 400-room Earth hotel.
January slots
Meantime, Mohegan Sun on Wednesday also reported its January slots performance. Mohegan said it recorded a 2.3 percent decline in slots revenue to $47.4 million from $48.48 million in the year-ago period. Its handle also dropped 4.4 percent to $575.17 million from $601.74 million in the year-ago period.
The casino’s contribution to the state for the month of January was $11.85 million.
Soper launched his gaming career at Mohegan Sun in 2001 as chief legal officer and senior vice president of administration, then became president and CEO of Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania back in 2005. He replaced Etess in 2015.
He is originally from Atlanta.
