By Rich Roberts, President, Mohegan Digital
Editor’s note: This is an opinion piece written by Mohegan Digital President Rich Roberts and does not necessarily reflect the views of Legal Sports Report or its parent company, Catena Media.
Tribal gaming has always been about more than gaming for Mohegan. It is about creating economic opportunities, strengthening tribal sovereignty, generating jobs, and investing in communities for future generations. For decades, tribal nations have used gaming revenues to fund government services, improve infrastructure, and build long-term prosperity for their people. As technology and consumer behavior continue to evolve, many tribes are evaluating how digital gaming can complement those successes and create new opportunities for growth.
For the Mohegan Tribe, digital gaming represents a natural evolution of that strategy. Connecticut’s experience has demonstrated that online gaming can strengthen customer relationships, expand brand reach, and create meaningful economic value while complementing traditional gaming operations. More importantly, it has shown that tribal operators can succeed and lead in a rapidly evolving digital marketplace.
As one of North America’s leading tribal gaming enterprises, Mohegan has embraced innovation while remaining grounded in the values that have guided the Mohegan Tribe for generations. That balance between innovation and stewardship has shaped our approach to digital gaming from the beginning. Mohegan does not view online gaming as a separate business, but rather as an extension of the Mohegan brand and an important component of our long-term growth strategy.
Since the launch of Connecticut’s regulated online gaming market, the results have reinforced the potential of tribal digital gaming. Over the past 12 months, Connecticut’s online gaming market generated nearly $640 million in gross gaming revenue, demonstrating the economic opportunity that can be created when tribes, regulators, policymakers, and industry partners work together. Beyond revenue generation, the market has delivered significant tax revenue for the state while providing consumers with access to a reliable, transparent, and highly regulated gaming environment.
The success of Connecticut’s regulated market has also demonstrated the ability of tribal operators to compete and lead in highly competitive digital environments. Through strategic investments, strong partnerships, and a focus on customer experience, Mohegan has helped establish Connecticut as one of the nation’s most successful online gaming markets. Mohegan’s experience has shown that tribes can leverage the same strengths that drove success in land-based gaming—trust, operational excellence, and community commitment—to thrive in the digital space.
Digital gaming has also expanded the reach of the Mohegan brand. Today’s consumers expect seamless experiences across both physical and digital channels. By creating an integrated omnichannel ecosystem, we have strengthened customer engagement and deepened the connection between our digital and land-based legacy businesses. Rather than competing with our traditional operations, digital gaming has enhanced our ability to engage guests and serve them however they choose to interact with our brand.
Mohegan’s strategy on building success through strategic partnerships
One of the most important lessons we have learned is that success in digital gaming requires more than simply launching a product. Online gaming is a highly specialized business that requires expertise across technology, cybersecurity, payments, fraud prevention, compliance, customer support, data analytics, and responsible gaming.
Mohegan’s strategy has been to focus on our core strengths while partnering with organizations that bring complementary capabilities. The partnership with FanDuel has helped accelerate our digital growth by providing access to proven technology, operational expertise, and extensive experience in regulated online gaming markets.
The Connecticut model demonstrates the value of partnerships that align interests and leverage the strengths of both organizations. FanDuel brings industry-leading technology, innovation, and operational capabilities. Mohegan contributes the strength of a trusted tribal gaming brand, deep customer relationships, regulatory credibility, and decades of gaming experience. Together, the two have created a digital gaming offering that meets consumer expectations while supporting long-term growth.
For tribal operators evaluating digital gaming opportunities, the right partnership is an essential cornerstone to provide access to specialized expertise while maintaining operational and strategic control, remain focused on long-term objectives, and enhance the value created by the business.
The value of effective regulation
Connecticut’s experience has also reinforced the importance of a strong regulatory framework.
From the outset, Connecticut established clear rules, rigorous oversight, and high standards for operators. That foundation has created a stable marketplace that encourages innovation while requiring strong consumer protections. Throughout this process, Mohegan has worked closely with regulators to ensure that growth and accountability advance together.
Licensed operators must adhere to strict requirements related to age and identity verification, geolocation controls, anti-money laundering safeguards, cybersecurity standards, and responsible gaming programs. These protections provide consumers with confidence that they are participating in a dependable, secure, and legitimate marketplace while helping preserve the integrity and trustworthiness of the industry.
The contrast between regulated and unregulated gaming environments is significant. Offshore operators often operate outside U.S. jurisdiction and beyond the reach of regulators, other online options lack similar regulation, leaving consumers without the same protections, oversight, or accountability found in regulated gaming markets.
Strong and meaningful gaming regulation benefits everyone. It protects consumers, promotes responsible gaming, creates transparency, and ensures that economic benefits remain within legal frameworks that support tribes, states, and local communities.
Looking ahead
Every tribal nation will determine its own path based on its circumstances, priorities, and strategic objectives. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to digital gaming.
Connecticut’s experience demonstrates that digital gaming can be a powerful extension of traditional tribal gaming when supported by thoughtful regulation, strong partnerships, and a commitment to responsible operations. The Mohegan Tribe’s experience also demonstrates that tribal operators can lead in the digital era while remaining firmly rooted in the values that have defined Indian gaming for generations.
As more states and tribal nations evaluate the future of online gaming, Connecticut provides a compelling example of what can be achieved when tribes play a leading role in shaping regulated markets. The Mohegan Tribe’s success demonstrates that digital gaming can generate new economic opportunities, strengthen tribal enterprises, and extend the benefits of tribal gaming to future generations. Innovation and tribal values are not competing priorities – they are complementary strengths that position tribal nations to help lead the next chapter of the gaming industry.