Mohegan Inspire receives approval for casino license

The Mohegan Inspire Entertainment Resort in Incheon, South Korea, has been granted a casino license by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The establishment of gaming operations at the site was contingent upon the hotel obtaining a five-star rating from the Korea Tourism Association earlier this month. The Mohegan Inspire proposal, which would operate a casino in Seoul exclusively for foreigners, is being promoted by the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority.

The ministry said that during a meeting on January 19, gaming clearance was granted after it was determined that Mohegan Inspire had completed the resort-complex design submitted in the gaming license application and had complied with all regulatory requirements.

A licensing limitation attached to the clearance mandates that Inspire keep funding non-casino establishments, with a focus on entertainment-related operations.

According to an Inspire representative, the resort plans to open the casino on February 10—before the Lunar New Year. Mohegan Inspire becomes the 18th licensed casino in South Korea with the addition of gaming. There are now 16 casinos in the country that are exclusive to foreigners; the only one with a license to accept local players is Kangwon Land Casino.

According to the authorities, Mohegan Inspire’s casino license is the only new authorization that has been granted since 2005. Other locations, such Jeju Dream Tower and Paradise City in Incheon, opened recently but made use of licenses from shuttered locations.

On November 30, Mohegan Inspire, which is close to Incheon International Airport, launched the first phase of its non-gaming facilities. These included a stadium that can hold 15,000 people, 10 restaurants, and a hotel with 1,275 rooms. On January 3, the resort’s hotel received an official five-star rating.

Original story by: GGRAsia