Dec 22, 2007 2:14 pm US/Eastern
Report: Mohegan Sun Taking Aim At Tropicana
Beleaguered Casino Was Stripped Of Its License
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) ―
The operators of Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Casino have made inquiries into taking over the beleaguered Tropicana Casino and Resort, which recently had its license stripped.
Jeffrey Hartmann, chief operating officer of the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority, which runs the casino, told The Press of Atlantic City for Saturday's editions that the authority has been studying Atlantic City for a possible expansion of its casino empire.
New Jersey casino regulators stripped the Tropicana of its license on Dec. 12, determining that its owners, Columbia Sussex Corp., were incapable of operating the type of "first-class facility" required under state law.
Hartmann said he has already been in contact with the New Jersey Casino Control Commission about the casino.
"I think our brand is well-established with many of the customers that visit Atlantic City today," said. "We like the regulated environment, and I think we can be a good addition to the Atlantic City market."
Mohegan executives hosted a delegation of Atlantic County officials in July, the newspaper reported.
Mohegan Sun is undergoing a $925 million expansion at its property in Uncasville, Ct., that is to include a 38-story, 1,000-room hotel with a spa, a House of Blues music hall and more slot machines, stores and restaurants.
Last year, it opened slot machines at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania and is working on projects in several other states.
A state-appointed trustee in New Jersey is seeking a buyer for the Tropicana in Atlantic City from among more than a half-dozen suitors.
Tropicana also plans to sell its casinos in Evansville, Ind. and Vicksburg, Miss. to raise money to pay off its debt.
Last Thursday night, Tropicana Entertainment reached a deal with its senior lenders who agreed to hold off for up to a year before declaring the company to be in default of its loan terms.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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