Mohegan receives initial approval to be the first tribe to operate a Las Vegas casino

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has voted unanimously to recommend the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) approve Mohegan to operate gaming at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

At a press event featuring property partners and investors at the porte-cochere, officials of Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, part of Curio Collection by Hilton, announced the property’s grand opening date, January 15, 2021.

If it receives final approval from state authorities, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, the business enterprise of Connecticut’s Mohegan Indian Tribe, would operate a 60,000-square foot premium gaming venue within Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, which closed in February for remodeling.

Mohegan Sun ☀️ arrives in Las Vegas on January 15th! https://t.co/EF6MzxLODI

— Mohegan Sun ☀️ (@MoheganSun) September 24, 2020

The first of its kind @MoheganSun blends its storied heritage with the world-renowned innovation of #VirginHotelsLV opening 1.15.21. Visit their website https://t.co/IijZSVKh2L pic.twitter.com/oAzJPBgjSU

— Virgin Hotels Las Vegas (@VirginHotelsLV) September 30, 2020

The business enterprise of Connecticut’s Mohegan Indian Tribe currently manages the gaming operations for Resorts Atlantic City; Indian casinos in Washington and Louisiana, on behalf of other tribes; the Fallsview Casino Resort on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls; and its flagship Mohegan Sun Resort in Uncasville, Connecticut and the Mohegan Sun Poconos in Pennsylvania.

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, formerly known as Hard Rock Las Vegas, is located just east of the Las Vegas Strip.

The integrated resort will intermix a passion for food and beverage with music and culture and features three hotel towers totaling over 1,500 chambers and suites; the 60,000 sq. ft. Mohegan Sun Casino, a five-acre desert pool oasis including a multi-functional event lawn; live music and entertainment theater with 4,500 capacity; a signature showroom accommodating 650 guests; an exclusive portfolio of twelve food and beverage venues, and more.

The gaming property will have its restaurants managed by several celebrity chefs, but will not have a poker room facility. Its sportsbook, operated by the US subsidiary of UK-based Betfred Group is currently going through the process of licensing. Mohegan and Betfred signed a partnership deal in July, which gave the bookmaker the exclusive rights to offer wagering on sports at the tribe’s new operation at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The Nevada Gaming Commission will consider the Control Board’s recommendation on Oct. 22, according to CDC Gaming Reports.

“We have a phenomenal opportunity here,” Mohegan CEO Mario Kontomerkos told gaming regulators when asked if the tribe might explore other business ventures in Nevada.

“(This) is an opportunity to showcase who we are and our brand,” Kontomerkos said, before adding that any additional opportunities are not the focus, for now.

Longtime Nevada gaming executive Joe Hasson, who was named the casino’s general manager in July, told the Control Board the Mohegan brand won’t be on the building, but electronic signage outside the property will market the name. He said customers won’t be able to miss the Mohegan branding inside the casino space.