Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment has entered into a new partnership with JC Hospitality that is to see the firm operate the 60,000-square foot gaming space inside the soon to be rebranded Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The venture marks not only the debut of the global entertainment brand in Las Vegas, but also the first Native American Tribe to operate in the Las Vegas Strip market.

Slated to open in 2020 the multi-year agreement is contingent on the successful completion of construction, and pending MGE’s regulatory approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Mario Kontomerkos, MGE’s chief executive officer, expressed excitement at the deal: “Aligning the MGE brand with Virgin Hotels Las Vegas extends our growing reach into yet another legendary global entertainment capital. Together with Virgin Hotels, experience seekers all over the world will have the opportunity to partake in an extraordinary guest journey that only our strategic alliance can deliver.”

MGE is currently in the midst of a significant chapter of growth as it strives to become know as “the world’s leading integrated entertainment resort developer”.

Alongside its its flagship property in Connecticut, Mohegan also enjoys a presence in Atlantic City, Pennsylvania and Washington, as well as internationally in Canada and South Korea, whilst also having officially submitted a bid for the license to develop an IER in Greece.

“This new and exciting relationship brings together two ‘Best in Class’ organisations and continues the Mohegan Tribe’s tradition of blazing new trails for others to follow,” commented James Gessner Jr, interim chairman of the Mohegan Tribe.

The property recently announced an agreement with AEG Presents to assume the management, operations and booking for The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, beginning in late 2020 once the property is rebranded as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.

The eight-month renovation is slated to begin in early February 2020 and the re-imagined Las Vegas lifestyle casino resort is slated to open at the end of the same year.

“Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, as an extension of the Mohegan Tribe, pride themselves on traditional principles, in sync with modern values. We are excited that Virgin Hotels Las Vegas will be their first entry in the Las Vegas market,” added Richard Bosworth, president and chief executive officer of JC Hospitality, owner of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

“MGE further expands on our commitment to partner with best-in-class operators for the Virgin Hotels Las Vegas transformation.”