Industry Reports

Niagara Falls Casinos Prepare for Thousands of Dollars Invested over the Next Years

Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment officially took control over the management of Fallsview Casino Resort and Casino Niagara, the two gaming hotspots in Niagara Falls, Ontario. This week was a special one as it saw the closing of the deal that would guarantee the future operation of the two gambling venues, as well as the Niagara Falls Entertainment Center over the span of the next 21 years.

The local gambling field is in for exciting development, as the US-based tribal casino operator is making its first steps in the Canadian market. This is not the first branching out for Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, as the operator is working on its US$5 billion resort at Incheon International Airport in South Korea. The Inspire project is going to be the largest entertainment area on a national level with its very own air terminal welcoming guests.

Mohegan Gaming Enters the Field

The tribal casino operator wants to explore a new market and establish its premium management in the already booming casino field of Niagara Falls. The Canadian iconic location is able to welcome millions of tourists on an annual basis, which subsequently positively affect casino operation in the area.

The city features two casino venues that have been in operation for more than a decade now. Falls Management Group began working on Fallsview Casino in 2001, paving the way for its 2004 official launch of operation. Some CA$1 billion has been invested in the project located in the vicinity of the Horseshoe Falls. The casino floor spans over 200,000 square feet and features more than 100 gaming tables and over 3,000 slot machines aiming to reach casino patronsā€™ expectations.

Casino Niagara is the older complex, which was also a groundbreaker at a time. This gambling venue became the first one in Ontario to feature an electronic roulette, an exciting feature for all casino patrons. It welcomed its first guests in 1996 close to Clifton Hill and at the beginning, it was considered a temporary facility only, until it became clear it is going to be a permanent one rising to this day.

Investment Expected Soon

The two casino venues are successful enough to bring casino allocations reaching CA$5,373,138 for the third quarter of fiscal 2017-2018. Gaming revenue percentage goes to the city coffers and funds various local projects. At the end of every quarter, Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation presents the hefty cheque to local officials. All in all, Niagara Falls has bagged some CA$136.6 million thanks to the two casino venues allocations.

September 2018 saw the announcement that the US-based tribal casino operator has defeated all rivals on its way to the coveted license for Niagara Gaming Bundle. It defeated not only Canadian companies such as Great Canadian Gaming and Gateway Casinos & Entertainment, but also international leaders to the likes of Caesars Entertainment and Hard Rock Entertainment. Mario Kontomerkos, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, expressed his delight with the development.

He made it clear that this is only one of the steps towards even wider global expansion. Future plans for Niagara Falls include the investment of several hundred million in the two casino complexes and the 5,000-seat entertainment venue adjacent to Fallsview Casino Resort. The two gambling venues will share the signature advantage club program with the operatorā€™s US-based tribal casinos such as Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort in Connecticut, Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and Paragon Casino Resort in Louisiana.