Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), the business arm of Mohegan Sun, announced it teamed up with one of the companies candidates to build an integrated casino resort (IR) in Japan.

Joint Bid for Nagasaki IR

Mohegan partnered with Oshidori International Development Godogaisha, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed Oshidori International Holdings, one of the 4 companies, besides Japan’s Current Corp., Casinos Austria International Holding GmbH, and Tokyo-listed Pixel Companyz Inc, which initially expressed interest in the IR project. If approved, the IR resort would be built in the city of Sasebo in Nagasaki Prefecture on the Kyushu Island.

“We are honored to work with Oshidori International and leverage their team’s unparalleled experience on this IR license bid in one of the fastest growing markets in the world.”

Mario Kontomerkos, President and CEO, MGE

Earlier this month, the prefecture revealed information about possible interest expressed by 3 other unnamed companies, bringing the total number of candidates to partner the prefecture to 7 so far, as the Nagasaki Prefecture’s bid selection process is set to take place throughout the summer and fall in 2021.

“Through our joint bid, we aim to highlight the rich culture and diversity of the Nagasaki area, and look forward to the positive impact this project will have on the entire Kyushu (Island) region.”

Alejandro Yemenidjian, President and CEO, Oshidori International Development

Build IR Casino and Boost Tourism Efforts

Besides the “landmark development opportunity” to build a world-class integrated resort, the collaboration between MGE and Oshidori would also seek to create dynamic community for the prefecture to support its efforts to become a premium travel destination, the statement from the Mohegan read.

“Japan offers important development opportunities that will benefit the Kyushu economy. Our growth strategy took into consideration the significant cross marketing opportunity between Project Inspire in Korea and Kyushu, Japan.”

Mario Kontomerkos, President and CEO, MGE

Mohegan’s business venture in South Korea, Inspire Entertainment Resort at Incheon, suffered a significant setback due to the impact of the coronavirus on global casino industry, which halted the construction of the resort in Midan City, taking place in collaboration with Caesars Entertainment and Inspire Resort.

As operators of multiple casino and hospitality properties, among which the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, Inspire Entertainment Resort in South Korea and the Niagara Casino and the Fallsview Resort Casino in Niagara, Canada, MGE would surely bring its expertise to the new venture, MGE’s Kontomerkos concluded.

The announcement of the joined tilt at the IR project in Japan by the MGE marked a second attempt from a tribal gaming entity in Connecticut to expand its operations beyond the state.

Last week, the owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe, announced the formation of a partnership to reopen the historic El San Juan Casino at the Fairmont El San Juan Hotel in Puerto Rico.