Mohegan Gaming To Turn over Control of Atlantic City Casino

Article by : Erik Gibbs Feb 26, 2024

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Mohegan, the tribal powerhouse behind Mohegan Sun, delivered a seismic announcement on Friday. It declared that it will end its managerial duties at Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, effective year-end.

While bidding adieu to the role of overseer, Mohegan emphasized its commitment by retaining a substantial 10% ownership interest in Resorts, as disclosed in a press release.

Ray Pineault, Mohegan’s dynamic president and CEO, expressed profound pride in the collaborative journey with Resorts Casino Hotel. The sentiment was conveyed by Ray Pineault, Mohegan’s president and CEO, as he acknowledged the significant milestones accomplished during their tenure.

Pineault extended heartfelt gratitude to the Resorts team, patrons, and the vibrant Atlantic City community for unwavering support during Mohegan’s tenure as the driving force behind the managerial helm.

This transformative chapter had its inception in 2012 when Mohegan inked a pivotal agreement to manage Resorts, simultaneously acquiring a notable ownership stake.

This move etched Resorts as the pioneering Native American-operated casino in the heart of Atlantic City.

As Mohegan Sun’s venture takes a different turn, the legacy of its influence on Resorts Casino Hotel echoes through the corridors of gaming history in this iconic coastal destination.

In 1978, Resorts made history as the inaugural US casino outside the confines of Nevada. Morris Bailey, the visionary owner of Resorts Casino Hotel, expressed gratitude for the invaluable partnership with Mohegan, acknowledging their pivotal role in the casino’s success.

Bailey reflected on the challenges Resorts faced when entering into a management agreement with Mohegan. At that juncture, the casino grappled with operational, economic and market complexities.

However, Mohegan’s involvement ushered in a period of stability and strategic direction. They played a crucial role in assembling an exceptional management team, a legacy that will endure as Resorts moves forward independently.

Throughout 2012 to the present, Resorts underwent a remarkable transformation, witnessing $125 million in enhancements.

The metamorphosis included the addition of a state-of-the-art convention center, an entertainment complex inspired by Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, a revamped boardwalk façade, extensive refurbishments to hotel rooms, a reconfiguration of the casino floor and the introduction of new retail establishments.

Until the conclusion of December, Mohegan is set to maintain its management of Resorts. This decision follows the revelation last spring that Mohegan’s contractual oversight of the Ilani Resort Casino in Ridgefield, Wash., belonging to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, is slated to conclude this July.

Mohegan has been instrumental in the casino’s inception, contributing to its development and overseeing operations since its inauguration in 2017.