Connecticut-based Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment (MGE) announced March 17 that CEO and President Mario Kontomerkos is stepping down at the end of March. He will be replaced on an interim basis by COO Ray Pineault as the company conducts a replacement search. And former CEO Bobby Soper, a tribal member, will return as president of the international division where the tribe has projects approved in Korea and Greece.
Kontomerkos will leave six days after the opening of the Mohegan Sun Casino at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas, which it’s operating for JC Hospitality after it purchased the Hard Rock Las Vegas last year.
Kontomerkos had served as CEO since 2017 and before that was CFO.
MGE Chairman James Gessner praised Kontomerkos: “Mario played a critical role in the growth and success of the organization,” he said. “We thank Mario for his many years of service to the tribe and Mohegan Gaming and Entertainment, more recently navigating the company successfully through the ongoing global pandemic as well as a major refinancing earlier this year.”
Domestically, MGE owns and operates the Mohegan Sun Resort in Connecticut and the Mohegan Sun Poconos in Pennsylvania. It manages casinos in Atlantic City, Washington state and Louisiana and the Fallsview Casino Resort in Niagara Falls, Canada.
MGE’s foreign ventures include the $5 billion Inspire Entertainment Resort near Incheon International Airport in South Korea and a bid to build a casino resort in Nagasaki Japan.
Pineault, who become chief operating officer last July, has been with MGE for two decades, including a stint as president and general manager of the Mohegan Sun.
In Soper’s new role as international president, he will represent MGE as he oversees and coordinates all aspects of the South Korea and Japan projects.
Gessner commented, “Having served the Mohegan Tribe and MGE for many years, we are confident in Bobby’s experience and capabilities to guide our efforts on the ground in Asia.” He added, “Bobby’s leadership and presence representing MGE will serve as a catalyst and result in significant progress with both of these important international project commitments.” Soper was chief executive officer of MGE from 2015-2017. Since 2017 he has been president and chief executive officer of Sun Gaming & Hospitality.
