Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is set to become the first tribal casino operator on the Las Vegas Strip after entering into a multi-year agreement with JC Hospitality to manage the gaming space at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas when it opens next year.
The rebranded 1,500-room property will replace the current Hard Rock Hotel and Casino after it was purchased by billionaire Richard Branson in March.
Under its deal, Mohegan will operate the 60,000-square foot gaming floor upon completion of redevelopment and pending the company gaining regulatory approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission.
Mohegan operates flagship property, Mohegan Sun, in Connecticut plus Mohegan Sun Pocono, Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City and Ilani Resort in Washington. It is also developing its first Asian integrated resort, Inspire, in South Korea and is actively preparing a bid for a second Asian property in Hokkaido, Japan.
“Aligning the MGE brand with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas extends our growing reach into yet another legendary global entertainment capital. Together with Virgin Hotels, experience seekers all over the world will have the opportunity to partake in an extraordinary guest journey that only our strategic alliance can deliver,” said Mohegan’s CEO, Mario Kontomerkos.
“Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, as an extension of the Mohegan Tribe, pride themselves on traditional principles, in sync with modern values,” added Richard Bosworth, President and CEO of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino owner JC Hospitality LLC. “We are excited that Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will be their first entry in the Las Vegas market.”
The eight-month renovation of the property is set to begin in early February 2020 with relaunch before the end of the year.
