New York (CNN Business) The largest American mall owner is turning to "Fortnite" and "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" to help replace ailing department stores.

Simon Property Group SPG said it will invest $5 million in the entertainment company Allied Esports, which will create lounges for competitive video game events at Simon's malls.

Simon is also working with Niantic — the company behind the augmented reality game "Harry Potter: Wizards Unite" — to turn 200 of its shopping centers into in-game locations that players can visit while they roleplay as wizards. (Niantic partnered with Warner Bros. on the game. Warner Bros. is part of WarnerMedia, CNN's parent company.)

Simon did not disclose terms of the arrangement with Niantic.

The two partnerships tap into a couple of the fastest-growing trends in video gaming and entertainment right now. Mobile AR games have proven to be popular — Niantic also made "Pokémon Go," which the company says has earned more than $2 billion in revenue. Simon is betting that when players come into the mall to cast spells, they'll go shopping or grab a bite to eat, too.

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