A growing US commercial and Native American casino operator is heading north of the border. Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has inked a deal to become the official service provider of Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is the owner and operator of the flagship Mohegan Sun casino and resort property in Uncasville, Connecticut. Plus, the company owns, develops, and manages a number of integrated casino resorts in New Jersey, Washington and Pennsylvania.
Additionally, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is building a casino resort in South Korea near Seoul’s Incheon International Airport.
The company was given the Canadian casino service provider job by the provincial government’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) after winning a competitive bidding process. Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will take over operations inside the province’s two most popular casinos in the summer of 2019.
Niagara Falls casinos
Casino Niagara first opened in 1996. It features 95,000 square feet of gaming space with over 1,500 slots and 40 table games. Similarly, there is a sports betting lounge and a poker room on the property.
The $1 billion Fallsview Casino Resort opened to the public in June 2004. It features a 374-room hotel that a overlooks Horseshoe Falls. Also, its 200,000-square-foot casino includes over 3,000 slots and 100 table games.
Mohegan will also assume the day-to-day operations at the future 5,000-seat Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre. However, the concert and entertainment venue is currently under construction adjacent to Fallsview Casino Resort.
Mohegan Chairman Kevin Brown “Red Eagle” said this sets up the company as a world leader in gaming:
“We are honored to have been selected as the service provider by OLG in what was a very competitive process. This procurement marks Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment’s advancement as a leader in commercial gaming and integrated resort experiences around the world, while promoting greater economic development and tourism in the Niagara region through our outstanding gaming, entertainment and resort offerings.”
The Mohegan plan
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment plans include leveraging the two Niagara Falls casinos in conjunction with the future Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre to create a “dynamic entertainment experience.” Moreover, it will help drive increased tourism and traffic to Niagara Falls.
It’s all about offering world-class entertainment and amenities to tourists and locals, thereby creating economic development and increased job opportunities. Mohegan Senior VP Anthony Casdia said it wants to become part of the community to help the region grow:
“As a brand known for our all-encompassing entertainment destinations, we are excited to work with OLG, the City of Niagara Falls, Canadian Niagara Hotels Inc., Niagara Falls Entertainment Partners and other local stakeholders in supporting a twin-anchor strategy that is critical to the success of tourism throughout the Niagara region.
“The Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre will create unique experiences for the benefit of the Niagara Region, create more jobs, and encourage economic growth. As the operators of one of the most successful arenas in the U.S. over the last 15 years, Mohegan Sun Arena, we are eager to put our experience to work and establish Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre as one of Canada’s top-ranked venues.”
Ontario Lottery & Gaming Commission will provide oversight
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will take over responsibility for the day-to-day gaming operations at the casinos. However, the OLG will continue to provide strategic oversight. In other words, Mohegan will need approvals before making significant operational changes.
OLG President and CEO Stephen Rigby said the decision to select Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment was done in the name of modernization:
“Selecting Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment is the latest step OLG is taking in our land-based gaming modernization, which is investing in communities and providing customers with new and exciting entertainment options. By leveraging the success of the Niagara casinos and integrating with the wide mix of entertainment and tourist offerings in the area, Mohegan will help ensure the long-term competitiveness of the Niagara gaming market—particularly in relation to markets across the border.”
Canadian Niagara Hotels President Dino DiCienzo said the casinos couldn’t have picked a better service provider:
“OLG has selected an internationally recognized gaming destination operator which will take Niagara’s casinos to the next level. I am confident (Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment) will work collaboratively with the community.”
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