Native American Groups Go Worldwide

## Native American Groups Go Worldwide – ICE365 Content Series – iGB

Native American gaming companies are typically restricted to gambling operations on their ancestral lands, but the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment organization is not only endeavoring to broaden its impact across the United States, but also running venues abroad. International President Bobby Soper explains how the company is extending its reach into Europe and Asia.

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**Native American Groups Go Worldwide**

The proposed location for the Nagasaki Integrated Resort in Japan is over 7,000 miles from the Mohegan Indian Reservation.

Incheon Airport in Seoul is less than 7,000 miles from the reservation, while Athens is nearly 5,000 miles away.

These locations may not be obvious choices for Native American casinos outside of the United States, but in recent years, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has been working to expand its operations beyond the reservation, and often entirely outside of the United States.

For Bobby Soper, the International President of Mohegan, this decision to expand stems from a concept that is vital to the tribe: ensuring long-term sustainability.

“The tribe’s strategy has always been, first, we want to concentrate on our core competencies, which are hospitality, entertainment, and gaming, but we also want to diversify,” Soper stated.

Its vital for the group to contemplate the long term, we like to say 13 generations, to ensure their ventures are robust for an extended period.

The initial step
They commenced expanding with the Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania, but it was a modest beginning.

The undertaking was a triumph, so they amplified the resort twice, transforming it from a standard casino into what Soper designates “a destination resort.” They also initiated expansion to other locations.

Firstly, they inaugurated casinos in Louisiana, Washington state, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. Soper stated these locations performed well even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Currently, they’re commencing expansion beyond the United States.

They initiated gradually, with the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, adjacent to the Canadian border.

But now they’re truly expanding globally, with a new resort being constructed at Incheon Airport, Seoul, South Korea. They also secured authorization to establish a resort in Athens, Greece, and are endeavoring to obtain a license for one of the initial substantial resorts in Japan, in Nagasaki.

“When Macau gained popularity and commenced issuing licenses, we weren’t prepared as a casino enterprise, but we aspired to be part of the world’s largest market. South Korea provided us an opportunity, and Japan presents another chance,” Soper remarked.

New patrons
When you venture to new locales, you need to comprehend the inhabitants there.

Soper asserts that adapting the operation of the resorts to the unique traits of each location is vital to the success of the Mohegan International venture.

“It’s obvious that each area has its own distinct qualities,” Soper clarified. “The target demographic, preferences, and culture all vary, making it essential to conduct thorough due diligence and market research. You must optimize your marketing approach to the specifics of each region and possess a comprehensive understanding of the local government, regulatory framework, and operational guidelines.”

For the $5 billion resort slated to open in Seoul in the first half of 2023, this signifies prioritizing non-gaming amenities such as nightlife, conventions, incentives, meetings, and exhibitions (MICE).

“This is a casino that will be geared towards international travelers, but the emphasis is truly on the non-gaming amenities,” Soper stressed. “There’s a vast market for this, and there’s a severe deficiency of these types of facilities.

“The greater Seoul area boasts over 23 million inhabitants, and they lack these kinds of facilities.”

In the meantime, in Greece, the planned resort will leverage the absence of integrated resorts in Europe, coupled with its location in a popular tourist destination, which Soper believes will draw visitors from across the continent.

Regulatory Hurdles
However, in addition to attracting new patrons, there are new regulatory hurdles to be overcome.

In Japan, the multi-year procedure of establishing a series of integrated resorts can be intricate, but proposals from local associates can help ensure a smoother process.

In the instance of the Mohegan, the operator was part of a proposal by Oshidori International Holdings. Soper stated the most crucial factor in collaborating with Oshidori – just as it was with GEK Terna in Greece – was that both sides could bring worth to the partnership.

“There are numerous factors to consider,” he said. “The project, the site, whether the partnership makes sense, whether there is a good connection, but also whether both sides are complementary. In Japan, Oshidori met all of these criteria.

“We genuinely appreciate the team they are assembling. We like the site, their proposal aligns with our integrated resort business model, and how we leverage all of these assets: Oshidori understands all of this. We truly felt like we were on the same page.”

“With any partner we work with, we want to understand, are we on the same page, and are we bringing complementary contributions.”

But any move off the reservation would legally mean a significant alteration, as the operator would have to work with new governments and authorities. In that sense, Mohegan’s investment outside of Connecticut could be similar to any commercial operator’s work.

The way we manage these gaming establishments is distinct from commercial operators,” Soper clarified. “Our Native American background sets us apart.”

“When we ventured beyond the reservation in 2006, we understood that we’d need to adhere to different regulations. It was a compromise we were prepared to make to expand our enterprise. However, it necessitates that we function like any other organization.”

He emphasized that the Mohegan tribe’s ancestry remains significant to them, and it facilitates their collaborations with partners and authorities, even in regions where tribal gaming is prohibited.

“Our principles are vital to us, and they are evident in our interactions with local associates, such as the government or commercial entities,” he stated. “We’ve observed that individuals in Asia genuinely appreciate our lineage. They hold us in high regard.”

“Our operations resemble those of other casinos, but our past, our essence, is what distinguishes us.”

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