## Native American Groups Go Worldwide – ICE365 Content Series – iGB
Native American gaming companies usually concentrate on their own area, but the Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment firm is not only growing within the US, but also actively trying to set up operations 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 suggested location of 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 places, far from the United States, might appear unconnected to tribal casinos, but in recent years, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has been trying to expand its operations beyond the reservation, and these locations are often outside the US.
For Bobby Soper, International President of Mohegan, this decision to diversify comes from a concept that is vital to the tribe: ensuring long-term stability.
“The tribe’s strategy has always been that, first, we want to focus on our core business, which is hospitality, entertainment, and gaming, but we also want to spread out,” Soper said.
Our goal is to ensure our enterprises remain robust for countless years to come,” he stated. “We envision a future spanning thirteen generations.”
The initial venture involved a modest expansion of the Mohegan Sun Pocono in Pennsylvania.
However, it proved successful, prompting them to enlarge the resort twice, transforming it into a prominent vacation destination.
They also acquired properties in Louisiana, Washington state, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City. These locations have thrived even amidst the pandemic.
Now, they are venturing into international markets.
They already operate a gambling establishment in Niagara Falls, situated near the Canadian border.
They are constructing a resort in South Korea, and they have secured authorization to establish one in Greece. They are also actively seeking a permit to open a casino in Japan.
“When Macau gained popularity, we were not prepared to become a major casino enterprise,” he remarked. “But we aspired to be present in the world’s largest market. Korea presented a favorable opportunity, and Japan represents another.”
They are acquiring knowledge about new clientele in emerging markets.
Soper highlighted that the success of the Mohegan International endeavor hinges on adapting the operator’s offerings to the specific traits of each location.
“Each area has its own distinct features,” Soper clarified. “Population statistics and preferences differ, so it’s vital to conduct thorough due diligence and investigation and adjust marketing tactics based on each area’s particular circumstances.
“Furthermore, it’s essential to comprehend the cultural subtleties of each area. Simultaneously, it’s necessary to grasp the governmental, regulatory framework, and operational guidelines of each area.”
For the $5 billion Incheon complex, slated to open in the first half of 2023, this involves concentrating on non-gambling amenities like nightlife, meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).
“This is a casino specifically aimed at foreign travelers, but the emphasis is actually on non-gambling amenities,” Soper stressed. “There’s a vast potential in this market, and there’s a severe shortage of such facilities.
“Greater Incheon has a population of over 23 million, yet there are very few such facilities.”
Conversely, in Greece, the planned resort will leverage the absence of integrated resorts in Europe, coupled with its location in a popular tourist destination, implying that Soper believes it has the capacity to draw visitors from across the continent.
Regulatory Obstacles
However, in addition to attracting new patrons, there are new regulatory obstacles to be addressed.
Within Japan, the extended procedure of setting up a chain of combined vacation destinations can be difficult, but collaborating with local associates can simplify the process.
In the instance of the Mohegans, Oshidori International Holdings is the operator involved in the proposal. Soper stated that the partnership with Oshidori, similar to the one with GEK Terna in Greece, is essential because both parties can provide unique worth.
“There are numerous factors to take into account,” he mentioned. “The undertaking, the site, whether the collaboration is sensible, whether the two sides are a good match, and whether they are complementary. In Japan, Oshidori fulfilled all of these criteria.
“We genuinely appreciate their efforts. We favor the location, their proposal aligns with our combined vacation destination business model, and how we utilize these assets: Oshidori possesses all of that. We believe we are on the same wavelength.”
“For any partner we work with, we desire to know that we are on the same wavelength, and that we can contribute in a complementary manner.”
Nevertheless, any departure from the reservation would legally signify significant alterations, as the operator would need to cooperate with new governments and authorities. From this viewpoint, the Mohegans’ operations outside of Connecticut would likely resemble any commercial operators work.
Our strategy for managing our enterprises on these platforms is fundamentally distinct from commercial entities,” Soper clarified. “We recognized that when we departed the reservation in 2006, we understood that extending beyond our existing resources would eventually lead to being subject to the authority of other states. But for us, that compromise was worthwhile.
“This necessitates that we function like a commercial operator.”
However, he added that the Mohegan’s tribal heritage still plays a significant role in every Mohegan business. He stated that it assists the operator in collaborating with partners and authorities, even in states without tribal gaming.
“But there are certain values that are central to our tribe and are reflected in our operations, perhaps how we interact with local partners, such as government or the private sector,” he continued. “We discover that, particularly in Asia, people are highly appreciative of our history. There is a profound respect.
“From an operational perspective, it’s very similar, but the core of who we are and how we’ve progressed over centuries, not decades, is the most significant distinction.”