Nov 15, 2022 | Community Relations, Culture & History, Employment, General News
Mohegan Pennsylvania Delivers More Than
$635 Million in Local Economic Activity to Pennsylvania
Mohegan, world renowned entertainment and gaming entity, today announced its North America properties generated a total of $5.2 billion in local economic activity over a one-year period, according to the brand’s first-ever Economic Impact Report. Analyzing data for 2019 (the most recent representative year), the report details Mohegan’s significant, positive impact on employment, household income, direct visitor spending, as well as state and local tax support. Mohegan commissioned Oxford Economics, the world’s foremost independent economic advisory firm, to conduct the study.
The analysis utilized a widely recognized approach to determining economic impact and examined all Mohegan properties in operation in 2019: Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut; Mohegan Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre; ilani in Ridgefield, Washington; Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey; and Niagara Casinos in Niagara Falls, Ontario.
“Mohegan is deeply-rooted in supporting the communities in which we operate and serve, and this new report makes clear the true scale of that impact across our critical partnerships, charitable giving, sustainability initiatives, funding infrastructure, and direct contributions to state and local government revenues,” said James Gessner Jr., Chairman of the Mohegan Tribe. “We are guided by our core values and our centuries-old philosophy, ‘Spirit of Aquai’ – living the importance of cultivating productive and long-term relationships. This study demonstrates the important benefits of those relationships.”
The $5.2 billion in economic activity includes:
- Nearly 35,000 total jobs created
- More than $2.7 billion in revenues generated onsite and off-property by the 15.7 million visitors to U.S./Canada-based Mohegan destinations in 2019
- $759.3 million paid in state and local taxes, including gaming contributions, supported by Mohegan
- $639.2 million in business purchases by Mohegan to contribute to operations, supporting networks of local businesses of all sizes in the communities and regions in which Mohegan operates
“We’re gratified that our continued success has a positive impact on local businesses and the surrounding communities,” said Ray Pineault, President & CEO of Mohegan. “Our success is a credit to the one-of-a-kind entertainment and experience that our team members provide at each property. As we continue to expand into new locations, including Las Vegas and Korea, we look forward to continuing to contribute to the prosperity of the communities in which we live and serve.”
“Mohegan Pennsylvania was the first gaming destination that opened outside of Connecticut in 2006 and we take a great deal of pride in seeing so much growth and success since this early expansion, said Tony Carlucci, President and General Manager, Mohegan Pennsylvania. “Our impact on job creation, state and local tax revenues, tourism, including off-property spending by consumers with local businesses illustrates how beneficial a major entertainment destination can be within a local economy. It’s an incredible feat for our organization and something we plan to build on as we continue to enhance our property and work effectively with our local community, government, and fellow businesses.”
The full report, including economic impact activity per location, can be found at https://mohegangaming.com/news/.
About Mohegan
Mohegan is the owner, developer and manager of premier entertainment resorts in the United States, Canada, and Northern Asia. Mohegan’s U.S. operations include resorts in Connecticut, Washington, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Nevada; Canadian operations are based in Niagara Falls; and Mohegan Inspire is located in Incheon, South Korea. The brand’s iGaming division, Mohegan Digital, provides cutting-edge online gaming solutions to Mohegan’s loyal fan base and meets the digital needs of customers on a global scale. Mohegan is owner and operator of Connecticut Sun, a professional basketball team in the WNBA. For more information on Mohegan and its properties, please visit www.mohegangaming.com.
Oct 19, 2021 | Culture & History, Entertainment, Gaming, MGE, Special Events
Exciting Entertainment, incredible giveaways and can’t miss promotions take center stage as part of MSP’s 15th Anniversary Celebration
WILKES-BARRE, PA (October 19, 2021) – Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) turns 15 next month. In honor of this historic milestone, full bands will be returning to Breakers during the first weekend of November! MSP will also rollout a $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza, T-shirt giveaways, a Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spin event and more, beginning November 1st.
Entertainment
The long-awaited return of full bands at Breakers, one of the top Live Music Bar’s in PA, is in full swing. In celebration of Mohegan Sun Pocono’s 15th Anniversary, on Friday, November 12th, Pennsylvania’s premier blues-rock, power-trio, Dustin Douglas and the Electric Gentlemen, hit the stage for a much anticipated performance at 8:30pm. On the very next evening, November 13th, Ken Norton & The Fuchery are slated for an 8pm show. Highlighting this evening is a yet to be announced, very special performance from a four-time Grammy-nominated and Multi-Platinum recording artist!
Win Big!
Other 15th Anniversary celebrations are planned throughout the property such as the $40,000 Anniversary Extravaganza from 5:00pm-9:00pm on Sunday, November 14th,where one lucky Momentum member will be selected every 15 minutes to win $1,500 Free Slot Play with a grand prize winner taking home a $15,000 cash prize at the end of the night. Momentum members can earn sweepstakes entries by simply playing their favorite slots and tables from Monday, November 1st through Sunday, November 14th with 15X entry multipliers on Tuesdays, November 2nd and November 9th.
On Friday, November 10th from 5:00pm – 9:00pm, the Wheel of Fortune Anniversary Spins promotion is sure to be a crowd-pleaser as well, as five Momentum members will be randomly selected every thirty minutes to win five free $15.00 spins on the exciting Wheel of Fortune Mystery Link slot machines!
Another $15,000 in cash is up for grabs with a special anniversary Spin it to Win It promotion on Thursday, November 11th from 6:00pm – 10:00pm where five winners every thirty minutes will spin the triple prize wheel to try and win the $15,000 cash grand prize!
Exclusive 15th Anniversary T-shirts will also be given away on Friday, November 12th, starting at Noon. The first 500 Momentum Members to earn one Status Point, and then print their voucher at any Promo Kiosk, can redeem it for a free shirt!
Cheers to 15 Years! On Saturday, November 13th, Momentum members will have the chance to earn a special commemorative edition BrüMate Hopsulator Trio. Keep your favorite beverages cold with the most versatile can cooler in the world. For more information on all things 15th Anniversary at MSP, visit www.mohegansunpocono.com/15th-anniversary.html
The History of Mohegan Sun Pocono
Mohegan Sun Pocono was the first gaming destination that Mohegan Sun’s parent company, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), known as Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority in 2006, launched outside of Connecticut. By this time, MGE’s flagship property in Connecticut, Mohegan Sun, was a massive success story, becoming one of the highest grossing casino and entertainment destinations in the world. With that success, the Mohegan Tribe and MGE looked to expansion.
The very first venture in that plan, of which now has evolved to seven owned or operated properties across the globe, was Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP). Opened in November of 2006, MSP immediately became one of the premier casino destinations in Pennsylvania and played a major role in the further expansion of a burgeoning gaming and entertainment enterprise in MGE. The pathway for expanded gaming in Pennsylvania came about after legislation in 2004 allowed a select number of casinos to offer slot-based gaming. MGE saw northeast Pennsylvania as the perfect opportunity to expand their brand and expertise into a nearby region that had easy access to New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. Mohegan leadership also anticipated further gaming expansion in the great State of Pennsylvania, which came to fruition in 2006, when MSP became the very first destination in Pennsylvania to launch table games. Within ten years of that launch, Mohegan Sun Pocono had net revenues of roughly $300 million.
Today, MSP, which is located on 400 acres in the hillside of Plains, Pennsylvania, is home to more than 1,700 slot machines, more than 60 live table games including a Poker Room, live harness throughout most of the year, fine dining, various retail options, a world-class spa, live entertainment in Breakers, Bar Louie and the Keystone Grand Ballroom, and the 230+ Hotel at Mohegan Sun Pocono which marked a major event in MSP’s history when it opened on November 14, 2013.
Another key milestone came in October of 2019 when the Unibet Sportsbook at Mohegan Sun Pocono held its Grand Opening. Penn State football legend, LaVar Arrington, assisted in christening the new venue that featured live betting options, various kiosks, helpful teller booths, food & beverage options and a 28-foot wide high-def video wall where roughly 40 guests can take in all the major sports action. Along with this brick-and-mortar sports betting option for guests, Mohegan Sun Pocono also provides online sports and iGaming wagering through PA.Unibet.com and its associated mobile apps for Android and iPhone.
Mohegan Sun Pocono and its amazing team members, of which there are roughly 100 who have been with the company since day one, have also been committed to various charitable and community based efforts throughout its history. A longstanding partnership with the United Way of Wyoming Valley has produced regular giveaways and food bank initiatives and just recently, MSP served as a Covid-19 test-site for the Scranton / Wilkes-Barre PA region. In 2016, MSP also updated to a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system that reduced energy consumption by 22% and limited its carbon footprint by 3,900 metric tons. Pennsylvania-based UGI HVAC Enterprises, Inc. (UGI HVAC) installed the new system, and as part of this project, MSP and HVAC also worked with Penn State Hazelton engineering students as part of their Senior Design Capstone project, which focused on alternative energy and power generation.
Since its inception, Mohegan Sun Pocono has also contributed more than $1.6 billion in slot and table game tax revenue to the Commonwealth through August 2021.
As Mohegan Sun Pocono looks to the future, they will continue to grow as one of the premier casino and entertainment destinations in Pennsylvania.
More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Jun 27, 2019 | Community Relations, Culture & History, General News, Hot Summer Fun, Keystone Grand Ballroom, Special Events, Travel & Leisure
Traveling memorial honoring the U.S. Armed Forces opens July 3rd
WILKES-BARRE, PA (June 27, 2019) – As a part of Hot Summer Fun, Mohegan Sun Pocono is proud to host “The Spirit of America’s Story”, a traveling memorial exhibit commemorating the U.S. Armed Forces and the fight to freedom from 1775 through today. This is the first time “The Spirit of America’s Story” has stopped in Pennsylvania, and the patriotic exhibit wall will remain in the Keystone Grand Ballroom from July 3rd – July 7th, with viewing hours from 10:00am – 8:00pm. Admission is free and guests of all ages are welcome.
The 100-foot-long exhibit uses rich illustrations and visual stories to capture and preserve the spirit, sacrifices, and vast history of the American people. Attendees will also be able to pay tribute to the men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces who have and are currently serving to protect America’s life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness – both here and abroad. Guests are encouraged to participate in an informative and interactive Q&A session during their time at the exhibit.
On Tuesday, July 2nd at approximately 1:00pm, the truck transporting the exhibit will be traveling to Mohegan Sun Pocono with a motorcycle escort courtesy of local American Legion Riders. The escort will begin on Highway 315 at the Wyoming Valley-Pittston Exit 115 on the PA Turnpike and head South on PA-315 to the property.
For more information about The Spirit of America’s Story exhibit and other Hot Summer Fun activities, visit mohegansunpocono.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO
Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, was the first destination to bring gaming to Pennsylvania in 2006 and since then has become one of the premier entertainment, gaming, shopping, and dining destinations in the state. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including over 80 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Aug 13, 2018 | Culture & History, Employment, Food & Beverage, Gaming, General News
Wilkes-Barre, PA (August 13, 2018) – Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) is excited to 
announce the naming of Gary DeWitt Jr. as Assistant General Manager. DeWitt Jr. has been a consultant for Mohegan Sun Pocono over the course of the past year, and prior to that, played an instrumental role in the spring 2017 opening of ilani, a Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE) partnership with the Cowlitz tribe of southwest Washington. He now joins the executive team at MSP with major focuses in both gaming and non-gaming areas.
Gary DeWitt Jr.’s career in the gaming & hospitality industry spans more than 25 years with senior level roles at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana, Hollywood Casino in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Argosy Casino and hotel in Riverside, Missouri and Hollywood Gaming at Dayton Raceway in Dayton, Ohio where he held the position of Vice President & General Manager. In his elevated position as Assistant General Manager, DeWitt Jr. will focused largely on the casino, hotel, security and facilities departments, with an emphasis on delivering exemplary service, both internally as well as to Mohegan Sun Pocono guests.
“We are very excited to have an individual of Gary’s caliber joining our executive team and organization. Gary fits our culture perfectly, and his experience, leadership & wide-ranging skills throughout his career and time with Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, will serve as major assets as Mohegan Sun Pocono works towards the future.” – Anthony Carlucci, CEO & President of Mohegan Sun Pocono.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN POCONO: Mohegan Sun Pocono, owned by Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, is one of the most distinctive and spectacular entertainment, gaming, shopping and dining destinations in Pennsylvania. Situated on 400 acres in Plains, Pennsylvania, Mohegan Sun Pocono features a 238-room hotel with on-site spa and adjacent 20,000 square-foot Convention Center. It is currently home to 82,000 square feet of gaming space including 91 live table games, 2,300 slot machines and electronic table games, a variety of dining and shopping options, nightlife, entertainment and live harness racing. Mohegan Sun Pocono is within easy access of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Delaware. More information is available by calling 1.888.WIN.IN.PA (1.888.946.4672) or visiting our website. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram, download our app and view us on YouTube.
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Jan 27, 2016 | Culture & History, Employment
La Center, Wash., – January 27, 2016 – The Cowlitz Indian Tribe, in collaboration with their partner, Mohegan Sun, announced today that Kara Fox-LaRose has been appointed General Manager of the Cowlitz Project, the $500-million-dollar casino project that will be the West Coast’s premier gaming, dining, entertainment and meeting destination. With over 20 years of gaming and hospitality experience, Fox-LaRose will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the facility slated to open in spring 2017.
“We’re thrilled to appoint Kara Fox-LaRose to General Manager of the Cowlitz Tribe’s project,” said Bill Iyall, Chairman, Cowlitz Tribe. “She is a highly accomplished professional with deep experience in the gaming and entertainment industry, and we’re looking forward to having her leadership here in Southwest Washington. Her expertise in entertainment marketing, operational leadership and community building will be an incredible asset to our work here to advance the economy and vitality of the community.”
In her most recent role, Fox-LaRose served as Assistant General Manager of Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP), in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Named one of ‘America’s Best Employers, 2015’ by Forbes, MSP was Pennsylvania’s first casino, opening in November 2006, and exceeding the Commonwealth’s expectation in revenues and profitability. She was directly responsible for the planning and execution of a multi-million-dollar expansion that introduced a hotel, convention center, spa and lobby bar in 2013. In addition to being named one of Northeastern Pennsylvania Business Journal’s ‘Top 25 Women in Business,’ Global Gaming Business Magazine also recently named Fox-LaRose one of their 2016 ‘25 People to Watch.’
“Kara’s experience in various levels of management throughout her career at Mohegan Sun has readied her for this opportunity to lead the Cowlitz Tribe and Mohegan Sun in our joint effort to establish a premier entertainment and meeting destination,” said Bobby Soper, President of Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority (MTGA). “Her holistic appreciation of the business makes her the ideal candidate to introduce to the project the optimal business management practices that Mohegan Sun has to offer its valued partners.”
Over the next few months, efforts will be focused on developing the property’s brand, establishing the executive management team, securing retail and dining vendors and connecting with the community.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ TRIBE
The Cowlitz Tribe, headquartered in Longview, Wash., is a federally recognized tribe with over 4,000 tribal members. Since 2015, the Cowlitz Tribe has 152 acres of reservation land in Southwest Washington. The tribe is proud to provide health and human services to its tribal members, from housing assistance to education scholarships to award-winning health programs. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitz.org.
ABOUT THE COWLITZ PROJECT
The Cowlitz Project will be a premier entertainment, dining and meeting destination in the Pacific Northwest. Located in the heart of Southwest Washington off of the I-5 La Center exit, the 368,000-square-foot casino resort will include 100,000 square feet of gaming space, over 15 restaurants and retails shops, and eventually a 2,500-seat entertainment venue. More information is available by visiting www.cowlitzcasino.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN TRIBAL GAMING AUTHORITY
The Authority is an instrumentality of the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, or the Tribe, a federally recognized Indian tribe with an approximately 595-acre reservation situated in southeastern Connecticut, adjacent to Uncasville, Connecticut. The Authority has been granted the exclusive authority to conduct and regulate gaming activities on the existing reservation of the Tribe, including the operation of Mohegan Sun, a gaming and entertainment complex located on an approximately 185-acre site on the Tribe’s reservation. Through its subsidiary, Downs Racing, L.P., the Authority also owns and operates Mohegan Sun Pocono, a gaming and entertainment facility located on an approximately 400-acre site in Plains Township, Pennsylvania. MTGA also manages Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. More information about the Authority and its properties can be obtained by visiting www.mohegansun.com, www.mohegansunpocono.com or www.mtga.com.
ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
Mohegan Sun, owned by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, is one of the largest, most spectacular entertainment, gaming, dining and shopping destinations in the United States. Situated on 185 acres along the Thames River in scenic southeastern Connecticut, Mohegan Sun is home to three unique casinos, a 34-story, 1,200 room luxury hotel, a world-class spa and golf course, over 75 shops, restaurants and bars as well as three award-winning entertainment venues including a 10,000-seat Arena. Mohegan Sun is within easy access of New York, Boston, Hartford and Providence and located 15 minutes from the museums, antique shops and waterfront of Mystic Country. More information is available by calling 1.888.226.7711 or visiting mohegansun.com. Connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and view us on YouTube.
