The tribal gaming authority that operates the Mohegan Sun casino and hotel in Uncasville is entering into an agreement with an airport to develop a hotel-casino resort in Incheon, South Korea.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority and Incheon International Airport Corporation announced Tuesday that the signed a "memorandum of understanding" to "develop, build and operate a first-of-its-kind gateway entertainment city" in South Korea, according to a news release. The casino will be built on an 800-acre parcel of land the airport owns.
"We look forward to extending the unique Mohegan Sun brand, focused on unparalleled hospitality and guest experience, to Korea and providing a new, global customer base at a one-of-a kind, must-visit destination. We have tremendous respect for IIAC and are excited to partner with Mr. Park Wan-su to build on the strengths of our two organizations and create the leading, first-of-its kind offering for travelers across the world," Bobby Soper, president of MTGA, said in a statement Tuesday.
Located on the airport grounds, the casino will be the first casino in the world attached to a "fixed-base" private airport, according to the news release. The airport is the eighth-largest international airport worldwide and more than 45 million people come through every year.
"This project is an important step in Incheon Airport’s continued efforts to become a global mega-hub airport, delivering passengers the highest quality service and serving as the best airport in the world in all aspects of our operations," said Park Wan-su, president and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation. "It was critical to identify the right partner for this historic development and Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority’s performance track record as a developer, operator and ability to attract world-class entertainers speaks for itself."
The casino itself will have 250 tables and 1,500 slot machines.
The resort casino plans to book major entertainment acts and and host sporting events in an arena that will be able to seat 20,000 people, according to the release. There will also be an indoor and outdoor amusement park with 18,500 square meters of rides and outdoor attractions.
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It will include a two-tower luxury hotel with 1,000 rooms, 18,500 square meters of stores, restaurants, music and entertainment, a Korean village featuring food and music typical of the country, a picture and film studio, a "Native American cultural and arts experience" and a Korean "cosmetics and beauty hub."
The finalized agreement is expected to be signed by June 30.
Miura Holdings Asia, an investment company with an emphasis on gaming, hotel and dining entities in the U.S and Asia will also be a part of the development team, according to the release.
