Less than one month after the grand opening of the Fontainebleau Las Vegas resort, the latest chapter in the 70-year history of the iconic Fontainebleau brand, chief operating officer Colleen Birch and chief marketing officer Shane Smith have announced their voluntary resignations. 

Three High-Profile Exits So Far

The two join the resort’s now former senior vice president of casino operations, Michael Clifford, who made a similar announcement some two weeks ago. 

Through a statement issued by a resort representative, Fontainebleau Las Vegas thanked COO Birch and CMO Smith “for their contributions” while wishing them well in the future. 

The ex-CMO joined the resort at the start of 2023 thanks to his rich expertise in casino and development which included two years at Witkoff, the real estate company that temporarily owned the unfinished property prior to Fontainebleau Development. 

There, the Stanford graduate showcased his skills in development and strategy. Smith was also vice president, marketing & customer experience at The Palazzo at The Venetian and he spent two and a half years as chief of staff and chief marketing officer at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

Birch was appointed COO for the resort in November 2022. In the past, she was The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas’ senior vice president of revenue optimization. She also took the position of revenue management director at Fontainebleau Las Vegas for ten months in 2008.

Ushering in “a New Era of Luxury Hospitality”

The $3.7 billion North Strip property with 67 stories is expected to usher in “a new era of luxury hospitality” for Fontainebleau Las Vegas. 

The casino spreads across 150,000 square feet and is joined by Savor Fontainebleau Las Vegas’ selection of “delectable restaurants, bars, and cafes, fit for any variety of craving or the most memorable occasions,” vibrant entertainment options and nightlife, and over 3,600 hotel rooms and suites.

The official opening date of the resort “built upon a legacy of sublime beauty, unparalleled service, and timeless design” was set for December 13, 2023, after it obtained the necessary approval from the Nevada Gaming Commission. 

The original concept of the resort was announced in 2005, right after Florida-based developer Jeff Soffer bought the historic Miami Beach property.

Last November, Nevada Gaming Control Board’s chairman, Kirk Hendrick, expressed the Board’s excitement to finally witness the project that has taken two decades to finally come to life. 

He added the resort would bring shine and glamour to a part of the Vegas Strip that has not been busy in a while. 

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ARC Gaming and Technologies, formerly known as Lucky Bucks, has filed a RICO lawsuit against its former executives, accusing them of orchestrating a massive fraud scheme that allegedly siphoned off around $200 million from the company before its bankruptcy. 

Lawsuit Unveils Alleged Systematic Looting of Lucky Bucks by Former Executives

The lawsuit, which was announced on January 2, alleges that the accused individuals engaged in a systematic looting of Lucky Bucks, diverting funds through various illicit means. Lucky Bucks, a major player in Georgia’s coin-operated amusement machine industry, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June 2023, citing increased competition and regulatory pressures.

ARC Gaming and Technologies claims that the defendants, including founder Anil Damani, Tony Kassam, and Imran Ali, orchestrated a complex scheme involving fraudulent transactions, misappropriation of trade secrets, and breaching fiduciary duties. 

The lawsuit also alleges that the former executives utilized shell companies and competing businesses under their control to divert contracts and assets away from Lucky Bucks.

The company accuses Damani and his associates of borrowing hundreds of millions of dollars from lenders, only to distribute the majority of the funds among themselves. The complaint further details instances of selling customer contracts back to Lucky Bucks at inflated rates and the removal of serial numbers from machines before selling them in various states.

ARC Gaming Seeks Redemption After Restructuring Triumph

The lawsuit was initiated after a comprehensive investigation by industry professionals hired by new shareholders in September 2023 to review Lucky Bucks’ operations. Forensic investigators and litigation case analysis, combined with employee interviews, contributed to the formal complaint being filed.

Despite Lucky Bucks successfully emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2023, ARC Gaming and Technologies is determined to hold the former executives accountable for their alleged criminal activities. The company aims to recover the stolen funds and assets, including $200 million in what they describe as “fraudulent and illegal dividends.”

Anil Damani, the founder and former owner, denies all allegations, stating that the claims are baseless and frivolous. Damani’s attorneys assert that he is a successful businessman and a pillar of the community, expressing confidence in defeating the claims in court.

As legal proceedings unfold, ARC Gaming and Technologies remains focused on its future, having completed a successful restructuring process and positioned itself as a strong contender in the Georgia coin-operated amusement machine industry. The company is set to announce new appointments for key executive positions, ensuring a dedicated management team committed to responsible governance and growth.

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The second-largest gaming and entertainment operator on the Las Vegas Strip, Caesars Entertainment, parted ways with up to ten of its entertainment executives, a new report claims. As announced by the Las Vegas Review-Journal last week, up to ten high-ranking entertainment executives were left out.

The latest report cites sources close to the matter, yet at the time of writing, Caesars hasn’t publicly disclosed any details on the topic. News about the number of executives that reportedly departed from the company follow the leave of Jason Gastwirth, Caesars’ president of entertainment. Back in December, Gastwirth confirmed his plans to step down from the company, ending his 13-year tenure.

According to the recent report, executives that may have been affected include Amy Naples, Jessica Tindor and Chris Yancey. Reportedly, Paul Shlisky, Mike Hodin and Mark Weinstein also parted ways with Caesars.

The departure of entertainment executives coincided with the start of Amy Graca’s tenure as senior vice president of entertainment at Caesars on January 2. Before assuming her new role, she held the position of senior vice president of ticketing at the leading gaming and entertainment company.

Additionally, Caesars confirmed its plans to release its fourth quarter and full year results for 2023. Last week, the company confirmed it would release its report on February 20, 2024.

The Company Hasn’t Confirmed a Reason for the Reshuffle

The leading gaming and entertainment giant is yet to confirm the reason for the senior-level reshuffle within its entertainment division. Currently, Caesars operates some of the most popular casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, including Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, as well as The LINQ Hotel + Experience, among others.

Back in December, Caesars Digital inked an important partnership, allowing it to grow its North American footprint. At the time, the company confirmed it joined forces with Hacksaw Gaming in a new deal for the market in Ontario, Canada. As a result, the leading iGaming content provider’s portfolio will be able to reach new customers through Caesars Digital.

Upon confirming the announcement, Caesars Digital revealed that the titles from Hacksaw Gaming will be integrated into Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, as well as Caesars Palace Online Casino. The two platforms currently operate within the regulated online gambling market in the province.

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The Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) has once again published its Top 100 Residential Water Users list. Unsurprisingly, the top spots are occupied by many affluent people, some of whom happen to be related to the state’s flourishing casino industry.

The list seeks to provide insights into the amounts of water used by homeowners in one of the United States’ driest states. Much of the water goes to support the aforementioned homeowners’ lawns and pools.

The list is topped by Spanish Gate Holdings’ Spanish Gate Drive property. Currently on sale for $25 million, the luxurious home sprawls 16 acres and boasts some three pools. The second entry on the list is Miriam Adelson, the widow of the late Las Vegas Sands CEO and chairman, Sheldon Adelson.

Lorenzo J. Fertitta occupies the not-so-prestigious third spot. The former UFC CEO is not the only fighting sports-related name on the list either, as the famous boxing star Floyd Mayweather took the number 37 spot and Dana White, the current CEO of the UFC, took the 6th spot.

Fertitta is not the only name with ties to the gambling industry either. The billionaire is currently serving as the director of Red Rock Resorts, with his family operating the Station Casinos brand. Lorenzo is also not the only member of the Fertitta family to appear on the list as Victoria Fertitta, daughter of Frank Fertitta, took the 57th spot on LVVWD’s list.

Another gambling industry notable to pop up on the Top 100 Residential Water Users list is Phil Ruffin, owner of Circus Circus and Treasure Island. He occupies the 59th spot on the list.

Charities Believe Rich People Don’t Care

According to Kyle Roerink, exec director of Great Basin Water Network, many people in Nevada seem to not realize that they live in the Mojave Desert. In an interview with 8 News Now, the director of the water conservation charity slammed affluent people for not caring about the state’s dwindling water supplies.

In any case, Las Vegas continues to recycle as much water as possible. However, millions of gallons continue to be lost maintaining the greenery of affluent persons’ mansions.

The publishing of the Top 100 Residential Water Users list comes just as Nevada, Arizona and California negotiated a plan to reduce water usage and save the Colorado River.

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The world’s premier gathering of commercial and tribal gaming professionals, G2E, is planned to take place next month between October 9 and October 12. The much-anticipated event for the gambling sector will feature a dynamic keynote with recognizable executives from the industry. The keynote will precede the grand opening ceremony of the expo floor on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 8:30 AM at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Industry executives, including CEOs from MGM Resorts, Churchill Downs and Entain are set to participate in the upcoming keynote.

A panel sponsored by Everi titled “G2E Welcome and View from the Top: CEO Outlook 2023,” will feature CNBC’s Contessa Brewer as a moderator. Bill Carstanjen, Churchill Downs’ CEO, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, Entain’s CEO, as well as Bill Hornbuckle, MGM Resorts International’s president and CEO, will participate in the upcoming discussion.

Moreover, the panel will be joined by Bill Miller, the American Gaming Association’s CEO and president. The speakers at the exciting keynote event will discuss different market trends and opportunities. They will also speak about the current outlook of the gambling sector and make predictions about its future.

AGA’s Boss, Thrilled to See Gaming Executives Join the Keynote

Sharing his excitement, Miller revealed that it is thrilling to see top industry executives participate in the keynote discussion ahead of the G2E expo floor. He spoke about the extensive experience, knowledge and deep understanding of each of the panelists while explaining that they will discuss the future and possible challenges the sector may face.

“We are thrilled to welcome some of the biggest names in gaming to the G2E 2023 keynote stage, each bringing decades of experience and unique perspectives as they discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead for our industry.“

Bill Miller, CEO and president of the American Gaming Association

According to Miller, the early G2E events help outline different trends for the future of the gaming sector. “From keynotes and conference sessions to the expo floor, G2E 2023 will be the catalyst for the deals and ideas that will propel our industry forward,” added AGA’s president and CEO. Finally, he said that he is looking forward to the exciting event for the gambling sector that will provide unique networking and business opportunities.

Recently, AGA revealed that the revenue reported by US commercial gambling operators soared in July. Earlier this month, the Association confirmed that the US commercial gambling industry has seen $5.39 billion in revenue for July, a figure complemented by strong online sports betting results and growth in land-based gambling activities.

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Globally recognized entertainment and gaming company Kindred confirmed last week that its long-term CEO, Henrik Tjärnström, resigned from his role. The company didn’t wait long and announced the appointment of Nils Andén to the role of interim CEO, while the search for a permanent holder of the position likely has started as well. Kindred did not reveal a reason for the sudden departure of Tjärnström. Upon announcing his resignation, he said: “I am very pleased with the Board of Directors’ choice of Nils Andén as the interim CEO, guaranteeing a smooth hand over.”

Before Tjärnström’s resignation, Kindred also unveiled another C-suite departure. Earlier this month, the company confirmed that it plans to part ways with its chief financial officer (CFO), Johan Wilsby. At the time of the announcement Kindred did not point out a specific reason for that senior-level change, neither said who may fill in the role. Wilsby is expected to leave the company at some point this autumn, but a specific date for his departure wasn’t pointed out previously.

Now, more senior-level executives are reportedly planning to leave Kindred. A report released by CasinoBeats suggests that the company’s chief commercial officer (CCO), Anne-Jaap Snijders, as well as chief marketing officer (CMO), Elen Barber, plan to vacate their roles. Similar to the announcement about Wilsby, the duo plan to step down at some point this autumn.

Barber was a part of Kindred for more than a decade. She initially joined the company back in 2010 as a global affiliate manager. But Barber’s professional experience with Kindred includes senior-level roles such as head of digital advertising, head of performance marketing and head of affiliates. To the role of CMO, she was appointed back in January 2019.

“I’m proud to have played my part in Kindred’s success over the past 13 years.“

Elen Barber, chief marketing officer at Kindred Group

Snijders is another veteran with a decade of experience at Kindred. He first joined the company as general manager of Australia with Unibet Group in 2012. This happened before the rebranding of the company to Kindred. Throughout his professional career with the company, Snijders’ held different senior-level roles before he was appointed to CCO in 2019.

“I had a great time at Kindred.“

Anne-Jaap Snijders, chief commercial officer at Kindred

According to Kindred, the two newly announced departures are not related to the departure of Wilsby or Tjärnström announced previously. The company thanked Barber and Snijders for their dedication, support and “huge contributions” throughout their extensive career.

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Two long-term gaming executives with significant experience within the vertical were recommended for licensing by the Nevada gambling regulator, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), a report released by Las Vegas Review-Journal reveals. One of the executives was Julie Cameron-Doe, Wynn Resorts’ chief financial officer, while the other one was Joe Asher, IGT’s president of sports betting and chair of the Board at The Wilson Center.

The recommendation for new licensing came during two separate hearings in Carson City. The NGCB recommended Cameron-Doe for an officer, while Asher was recommended for licensing as a key executive. The two discussions resulted in unanimous approval. Besides the recommendation, the duo is expected to receive final approval for their licensing during an NGCB meeting planned for April 20, 2023.

Cameron-Doe’s recommendation for licensing comes as no surprise, considering her extensive experience within the gaming vertical. Currently serving as a chief financial officer at Wynn Resorts, Cameron-Doe joined the company back in 2021. She took over the role of Craig Billings, who was appointed as CEO of Wynn at a time when Matt Maddox left the company.

Before Wynn Resorts, Cameron-Doe was a part of the leading provider of gaming solutions, Aristocrat, for nearly a decade. Besides the role of a chief financial officer, during her tenure with the company, she was also a group general manager of finance.

Throughout her career, Cameron-Doe has secured many licenses. Overall, she has pending licensing applications within 13 different jurisdictions. NGCB’s board member, George Assad, acknowledged that Cameron-Doe’s approval for licensing was “a slam dunk,” considering her extensive experience and knowledge within the sector.

On the other hand, Asher is also a seasoned iGaming industry veteran with significant knowledge and a deep understanding of the gaming vertical. His extensive experience includes close to a decade as CEO of William Hill US, the US-facing arm of the gambling giant William Hill.

Moreover, Asher was also the president and CEO of Brandywine Bookmaking, a company he helped form in 2006. After a few years of successful business, the company was sold to William Hill in 2021 and this is when Asher became the CEO of William Hill US. Brandywine remained an asset for William Hill until it was sold to Caesars a few years ago.

More recently, Asher joined IGT in October 2021 and is currently holding the role of president of sports betting. Last month, he was appointed as chairperson of the Board for The Wilson Center, a non-partisan policy forum for research and open dialogue.

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