The Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment vehicle of the federally-recognized Mohegan Tribe has reportedly been approved by the Nevada Gaming Control Board to operate a casino inside the coming Virgin Hotels Las Vegas venue.

According to a report from the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper, the unanimous consent from the three-member body came during a two-hour Wednesday hearing in which the Nevada regulator additionally licensed more than a dozen associated executives and tribal officers including Mario Kontomerkos, Chief Executive Officer for Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment.

Subsequent stage:

The newspaper reported that the next step in the aboriginal operator’s plan to run gambling inside the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas property is now destined to come on October 22 when it goes before the five members of the Nevada Gaming Commission. A similar positive outcome will then purportedly allow the Connecticut firm to officially partner with the hotel division of Virgin Group Limited so as to bring a 60,000 sq ft casino complete with 650 slots and 50 gaming tables to the Las Vegas venue currently undergoing a $200 million makeover.

Extensive entertainment:

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment is already responsible for nine casinos including its flagship Mohegan Sun facility in eastern Connecticut and reportedly told the Nevada Gaming Control Board that it moreover hopes to bring a land-based sportsbook to the 16.7-acre Virgin Hotels Las Vegas complex in partnership with the American subsidiary of British sportsbetting giant Betfred. The operator purportedly furthermore explained that this service is to be complemented by an envisioned high-limits private gaming salon although it has no immediate plans to open a compatriot poker room.

Projected premiere:

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that yesterday’s hearing also saw the Nevada Gaming Control Board license Joseph Hasson to serve as the general manager for the coming Virgin Hotels Las Vegas facility. The former Station Casinos employee purportedly proclaimed that his latest venue could begin welcoming guests from as soon as January 15 as its ongoing transformation had not been hindered by the impact of the recent coronavirus-induced economic slowdown.

Hasson reportedly stated…

“Having been in Nevada for the amount of time I have described and having been in the industry of hospitality and gaming for far longer, I know that our industry is a resilient one. I also know that our industry is very capable of reinventing itself continuously and it is responsive to economic challenges and economic opportunities. We will take great care of both. We will watch them carefully and prosecute them accordingly.”

Reviving relationships:

Finally, the newspaper reported that Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment also told the Nevada Gaming Control Board that it is to be fully in charge of managing the coming Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and will look to hire approximately 300 former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas employees after affiliating with several area trade unions including the Local 226 branch of the Culinary Workers Union.