After seeing off several rivals last year to secure the coveted ‘Niagara Gaming Bundle,’ Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment has now announced that it has officially taken over the running of Canada’s Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort.

Operational responsibilities:

An enterprise of Connecticut’s federally-recognized Mohegan Tribe, Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment used an official Wednesday press release to explain that the arrangement was secured via its MGE Niagara Entertainment Incorporated subsidiary in September and involves it handling all of the day-to-day gaming operations inside the two southern Ontario casinos for the next 20 years.

Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment was already responsible for the giant Mohegan Sun integrated casino resort as well as Pennsylvania’s smaller Mohegan Sun Pocono gaming venue and it revealed that the Canadian deal also encompasses the future running of the 5,000-seat Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre, which is being built next to Fallsview Casino Resort.

State-owned casinos:

Casino Niagara and the nearby Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort are owned by the state-run Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation and had been managed by Toronto-headquartered Falls Management Group since 1996 and 2004 respectively. However, these arrangements have now expired and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, which was known as the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority until a 2017 name-change, used the press release to declare that it intends to utilize the trio of Niagara Falls venues to create ‘a vibrant gaming industry’ for Ontario that will increase visitation, jobs and ‘investment to communities across the province.’

Additional appointment:

Mario Kontomerkos, Chief Executive Officer for Uncasville-based Mohegan, used a second Wednesday press release to detail that his firm has appointed Christian Block to oversee all of its new Canadian operations as well as its coming Project Inspire complex in South Korea. He stated that the experienced industry figure will now report directly to its Chief Operating Officer, Michael Silberling, and work to ensure regulatory compliance alongside full implementation of the ‘Mohegan Way.’

Kontomerkos’ statement read…

“As a company known for our all-encompassing integrated entertainment properties and extraordinary guest experiences, we are proud to be part of the transformation of the Niagara gaming and entertainment scene as operators of the iconic dual-anchored casino properties including the future Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre.”

Global growth:

Kontomerkos furthermore proclaimed that the addition of the two Niagara Falls properties to his firm’s portfolio represents its ‘latest international expansion’ and will serve to offer its ‘millions of valued guests another impressive one-of-a-kind experience.’

According to Kontomerkos…

“We look forward to becoming an integral part of the Niagara community and promoting greater economic development and tourism in the region by showcasing our outstanding gaming, entertainment and resort offerings for locals and visitors alike.”