We implemented thermal temperature checks at every entrance. We implemented ultraviolet-light air handlers to kill all the bacteria in the air and sanitize every hotel room.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
We installed Plexiglas at every transaction station — at table games, hotel check-ins, food and beverage stations. We have hand sanitizing stations. We\u2019ve turned off every other machine so we\u2019re at 50 percent capacity on table games and slots. We\u2019ve required masks from our guests and our employees right from the very beginning.<\/p>\n
The reason I\u2019m telling you all this is because it really created a package of safety measures that was really well-received by our guests here in the northeast. And it has actually helped our business, believe it or not.<\/p>\n
When we first modeled the business, we thought it would be down relative to last year. But it\u2019s actually up. And I think that\u2019s because people come here and they feel safe.<\/p>\n
Safety is now at a premium when it comes to entertainment offerings. Folks have been locked up for a little while and they want to go out, but they\u2019re uncertain as to where they can go and be safe. They now know our facilities are safe and they are coming and they are enjoying themselves.<\/p>\n
Casino.org:<\/strong> So you\u2019re optimistic?<\/p>\nKontomerkos: <\/strong>I am. I think the initial statistics we\u2019ve just talked about have been very strong. Generally, I think we are driving guest visits from a wider radius than we used to. Typically, it was a two-to four-hour drive time. But we\u2019re seeing longer drive times. This is in line with some of the statistics I\u2019ve seen recently about the ‘staycation.’<\/p>\nYou can imagine people today are still a little bit hesitant about air travel or train travel — they\u2019re comfortable in their own car. Folks are willing to drive up to ten hours now, and so I think we\u2019re seeing the benefit of that, and I think that probably continues for the foreseeable future. So I\u2019m fairly optimistic for our business.<\/p>\nMGE’s flagship Mohegan Sun property on the Mohegan reservation in Connecticut. (Image: MGE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCasino.org:<\/strong> You\u2019re expanding internationally. But when you get a complete black-swan moment like coronavirus, do you suddenly need to reevaluate those projects and be careful not to overextend?<\/p>\nKontomerkos: <\/strong>I tell you what, the coronavirus has obviously been a big perspective-changer in a lot of different ways. But it has strengthened our resolve in the way we do business. Business for us is a very long-term perspective. Our legacy is the Mohegan tribe. They\u2019ve been here for over 400 years. They\u2019re going to be here for another 400 years. We think about business in a very generational way.<\/p>\n\n
My main job is to provide for the next generation of tribal members here and then their next generation. It\u2019s always been a very long-term-oriented approach. The pandemic has shown us that diversification into the international arena is important for our ability to stand for those generations.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\nAnd so, the project in South Korea called Inspire remains on track for launch in 2022. We have a property under construction in Las Vegas that\u2019s on track to open later this year [with Virgin Hotels]. And, subject to the final appeals process, we\u2019ll also be starting a project in the coming months in Athens, Greece.<\/p>\n
So we\u2019re very, very excited about where the business is, and from a longer-term perspective, with the geographical diversification, we\u2019ll be able to withstand these types of things even more.<\/p>\nThermal imaging checks at an entrance to Mohegan Sun. (Image: MGE)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nCasino.org:<\/strong> Are you confident Connecticut will have sports betting soon? We realize this is subject to sensitive negotiations between Gov. Lamont and the tribe.<\/p>\nKontomerkos: <\/strong>I am optimistic about that. I think there\u2019s broad agreement in the state that it\u2019s something that is, A) exclusive to the tribes, and B) a form of entertainment that should be handled by reputable, long-term partners and licensed operators, i.e., the two existing participants in the market.<\/p>\nI think it provides an economic benefit to the state, as well as us, in that it provides another amenity in the community and drives longer stays, which we think is obviously beneficial for everyone in the community. So we are optimistic about sports betting.<\/p>\n
Casino.org:<\/strong> Is it too early to put a timeline on sports betting?<\/p>\nKontomerkos: <\/strong>I think so. Although I will say that the pandemic has accelerated those discussions. So we\u2019re hopeful that will continue and we can continue to have serious discussions about it.<\/p>\nCasino.org:<\/strong> What are some of the key future trends you see developing in the market, post-COVID-19?<\/p>\nKontomerkos: <\/strong>Look, the business we\u2019re in is the integrated entertainment resort, and that\u2019s a little bit different than some of the products that are offered by some of the various participants in our industry. These are multibillion-dollar facilities — hotels, restaurants, retail, convention spaces, arenas, theme parks, casinos — everything under one roof. It\u2019s an all-immersive type of experience that you can\u2019t really find anywhere else — it\u2019s not your convenience offering.<\/p>\nThat part of our business is growing. I think that it\u2019s under-penetrated globally. The Athens property will be the first integrated resort of its kind in Europe, and there are many more places around the world that are seeking that kind of product, because it has an enormous, positive impact on the regional economy.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I think you\u2019re going to continue to see the expansion of integrated entertainment resorts and we\u2019ll be at the forefront.<\/p>\n
I do think that safety has always been at the top of our thinking in this industry — safety for our guests — and it is even more so now. I think, within the integrated entertainment resort setting, you\u2019ll continue to see all the great products, all of the excitement, the shows, the A-list artists — everything that we normally provide. But we\u2019ll provide that experience to you in a way that makes you feel even safer, whether that\u2019s through physical distancing or the technology we\u2019ve put in place. I think folks are really going to put a premium on those things.<\/p>\n
I will also say technology that increases the perception of safety — like cashless technology, like touchless technology — will accelerate, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It used to be that customers went to casinos seeking risk. These days, they\u2019re just looking for safety, Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment CEO Mario Kontomerkos told Casino.org in an exclusive interview. Kontomerkos believes the integrated resorts market will rebound quickly from the impact of coronavirus. Casino.org: The hospitality industry has been particularly hard hit by the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":140860,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[33810,18],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment CEO Mario Kontomerkos<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n