Mohegan Tribe Agrees to Manage Proposed Wisconsin Casino

UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- In a push to broaden its business market, the Mohegan Tribe has announced plans to manage a proposed Wisconsin casino. The Mohegans, which own and operate the Mohegan Sun casino, announced Friday they have signed a seven-year management agreement with the Menominee Indian Nation to run the tribe's planned casino in Kenosha, Wis.

The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority will receive a percentage of revenues for managing the casino resort, which is expected to open in 2006.

"I think this is a precedent-setting pact between two tribes," said Joan Delabreau, chairwoman of the Menominee Indian Tribe. "I think if other tribes do what the Mohegan tribe has done, you will see the end of those big deals with Las Vegas companies."

The Menominees plan to build a 160,000-square-foot casino at a former dog track in Kenosha. The tribe estimates the casino will cost $800 million to build.

The Mohegan Tribe invested $3.1 million in the project earlier in the year.

Last week, the tribe announced it will buy a 400-acre Pennsylvania horse racing track, Pocono Downs, for about $280 million. The deal also includes five off-track betting operations in Carbondale, East Stroudsburg, Erie, Hazleton and Allentown. The Mohegans can apply for a license to operate up to 3,000 slot machines at Pocono Downs.