Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment has named its interim Chief Operating Officer Joseph Hasson to the role permanently.

He will be responsible for overseeing the development and execution of short and long-term strategic business plans across all Mohegan properties in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. He will also continue to serve as general manager of Mohegan Casino at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas. Hasson had been serving as interim COO since April, taking over from former COO Jody Madigan. He will report to Ray Pineault, Mohegan president and CEO.

“Joe Hasson’s expertise, garnered over more than 40 years in the gaming and hospitality industries, coupled with his exemplary leadership at our Las Vegas property, positions him uniquely to ensure strategic alignment and continuity across Mohegan’s diverse portfolio,” said Pineault. “We are confident that his leadership as our chief operating officer will be instrumental in our sustained success.”

Prior to joining Mohegan, Hasson served as COO of Station Casinos LLC and Red Rock Resorts, Inc.

Mohegan in the Windosr Casino race?

Mohegan operates two casinos in Canada: Casino Niagara and Fallsview Casino, both in Niagara Falls, Ont. It also became the first land-based operator to join Ontario’s online gaming and betting market in 2022, launching a new digital gaming platform, PlayFallsview, in September of that year.

Mohegan is also rumoured to be one of the contenders to take over the operating license of the Windsor Casino from the incumbent, Caesars Entertainment.

The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) extended its operating agreement with Caesars by another seven months last week as it continues to search for the next operator. The crown corporation is currently conducting a procurement process to select a new service provider to handle the day-to-day operations of the Windsor Casino. Caesars has run the famous Windsor casino since it opened 30 years ago.

The Globe and Mail reported in January, citing three gambling industry sources, that Mohegan and Bally’s Corporation are Caesars’ two contestants in a three-horse race for the rights.

OLG said it expects to announce the selected operator by spring 2025. The lottery corporation’s director of media relations, Tony Bitonti, told Canadian Gaming Business that it will not be releasing any further details or comments on the procurement process “until the selected service provider is announced.”