Operators of Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, one of the largest casinos in the nation, have received licensing from the South Korean government to build and develop a “first-of-its-kind” casino estimated at $5 billion at South Korea”™s Incheon International Airport.
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, operator of Mohegan Sun properties throughout the U.S., will develop the 1,350 room luxury casino and hotel in partnership with the South Korean KCC Corporation and Incheon International Airport Corp.
The entire facility will be built in several phases beginning with phase I, referred to as Project Inspire, estimated at a cost of $1.6 billion.
Developers boast the first phase will include a 20,000-square-foot casino ”” the first and only destination resort in the world with an adjacent private air terminal ”” and it will be the largest entertainment venue in South Korea with more than 250 gaming tables, 1,500 slot machines and an additional arena space with seating for 15,000.
The first phase will also include a 100,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor theme park, 20,000 square feet of luxury retail space and a 33,000-square-foot eco-adventure park with indoor rain forest.
“We are pleased with the Korean Government’s decision to award us the opportunity to help fulfill their vision of driving economic development by growing tourism, creating jobs, and showcasing Korean culture via the integrated resort,” said Bobby Soper, president of the tribal gaming authority.
The timeline for the casino”™s construction was not specified by the tribal gaming authority, which could not be reached for comment.
The news of the licensing comes as Mohegan Sun awaits legislative action to permit the building a jointly operated Casino in Connecticut with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, owners of Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket.
Lawmakers remain undecided on the impacts and benefits of permitting a third casino in the state despite the Mohegan tribe”™s position that thousands of jobs and more than $500 million revenue are at stake should the state not allow the two tribes to build a casino to compete with the soon-to-built MGM Springfield Casino in Massachusetts.
The Connecticut General Assembly”™s Commerce Committee has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for March 10.
