The Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana recently signed a 5-year contract with a subsidiary of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, owned by the Mohegan Tribe of Connecticut, to operate the tribe’s Paragon Casino Resort in Marksville, Louisiana. Hired by the tribe in May 2016, MGE has provided gaming, hospitality and entertainment consulting services for Paragon and assisted in reinventing the brand and facilities. Under the new agreement, the MGE subsidiary will manage the casino resort’s gaming, entertainment and hospitality services.
Tunica Biloxi Chairman Marshall Pierite said, “Paragon is a driving force in the local community and surrounding region. We are confident that our agreement with representatives of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment will enable us to be a significant economic engine for the community and the Tunica Biloxi Nation for generations to come.”
Mohegan Tribe Chairman Kevin Brown “Red Eagle” added, “Soon after our federal recognition, we were motivated by Senators McCain and Inouye of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs to ‘pay it forward,’ and to use our good fortune to assist our brother and sister tribes across Indian Country. This management agreement is us making good on the promise to do just that, and is an example of how we can work together to sustain our good fortune as we exercise our sovereignty. We are excited and honored to partner with the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe, and we are thankful to the NIGC for their favorable receipt of our proposal to manage the Paragon Casino in the Mohegan Way.”
Paragon Casino Resort General Manager Jody Madigan stated, “Through our extended partnership with MGE, we hope to continue to enhance the Paragon experience for visitors and guests. MGE has already assisted Paragon greatly over the past two years and we look forward to a bright future with their increased involvement.”
Opened in 1994, Paragon offers a 500-room hotel, full-service spa and salon, 18-hole golf course, indoor tropical pool with a swim-up bar, retail atrium, 3-screen cinema, Mari Showroom, meeting space and a “living” bayou and alligator swamp. Also on-site are the Atrium Bar, the region’s only ice bar, seven restaurants, a daiquiri bar and RV resort with 205 slips and 30 cabins.
MGE is the owner, developer and/or manager of integrated resorts throughout the U.S., including Connecticut, New Jersey, Washington, Pennsylvania and Northern Asia. Paragon Casino Resort is the first facility in Louisiana managed by MGE.
