On March 25, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) celebrated the opening of its Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The 60,000 square foot space is open to the public, welcoming guests to a unique gaming space in the reimagined former Hard Rock Hotel.

The opening day kicked off with an evening of ceremonies as the door was unlocked and guests were welcomed into the first Native American operated casino in Las Vegas. Property executives were on hand, along with local officials, MGE Interim CEO Ray Pineault, and Mohegan Tribal Councilors Ken Davison and Joe Soper.

The Opening

In tribal tradition, Mr. Soper and Mr. Davison presented gifts to the President and CEO of JC Hospitality and Virgin Hotels Las Vegas owner, Richard Bosworth, and Fengate President and Chief Executive Officer Lou Serafini. The gifts included sweetgrass, a Mohegan blanket, and a hand-crafted Mohegan gourd.

After the opening ceremony was completed, everyone walked into the casino-resort to enjoy the 650+ slot machines and more than 50 table games. Players were ready to enjoy craps, roulette, blackjack, and other table games.

Players that visit the property can join the Momentum Loyalty Program, a reward offering providing benefits and incentives. Members earn Momentum Dollars that can be used for dining needs, shopping, hotel stays, and more.

During the opening night, celebrities were seen dotted throughout the casino enjoying the festivities. Mario Lopez was on hand to toss the first dice roll at the craps table. Matt James of “The Bachelor” and Chrisell Stause of “Selling Sunset” were seen at the craps and blackjack table.

The Mohegan Sun Casino Las Vegas is ready to offer best-in-class operations and premium personalized service. More than 300 team members have returned to the property upon opening, able to provide a quality experience to guests via their casino and hospitality experience.

A Long-Time Coming

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment announced the name of the Las Vegas casino property last July, along with other details regarding the facility. For sports betting operations, the group is working with Betfred USA Sports.

It took around eight months to complete the renovation of the casino. The property is connected to the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. The property owner took over the former Hard Rock hotel and began the renovation process in February 2020, allowing employees to stay on if they would like, and return this year as the casino and hotel started offering services. Many employees opted to wait and come back as the new venue opened up.