Global casino operator MGM Resorts International, the parent of Macau-based MGM China Holdings Ltd, has appointed Ayesha Molino (pictured) as the group’s chief operating officer (COO), with effect from January 1, 2026. According to a Thursday press release, she will replace Corey Sanders, who it was announced earlier this month will retire from the company after more than 30 years of service.
Ms Molino is currently president and COO of ARIA and Vdara, two of the group’s properties in Las Vegas, Nevada, in the United States. She has also been serving – since January 2017 – as MGM Resorts’ chief public affairs officer, and has been a non-executive director of MGM China since August 6, 2020.
Bill Hornbuckle, president and chief executive of MGM Resorts, said in prepared remarks: “Ayesha is an exceptionally gifted strategic thinker and operator who excels at managing through complexity, earning her the respect of her colleagues and peers throughout the company.”
He added: “Ayesha’s ability to unite teams, drive results, and navigate challenges makes her the perfect leader to succeed Corey as COO. I am confident she will continue to help shape our future growth and success.”
MGM Resorts also announced on Thursday the appointment of Gary Fritz as the company’s chief commercial officer and president of MGM Digital. Mr Fritz, until now president of MGM Resorts’ interactive business, will assume his new role immediately, as per the update.
Mr Hornbuckle was cited as saying that Mr Fritz “has been instrumental in establishing and advancing” the group’s digital strategy “through acquisitions, strategic partnerships and organic expansion” of the BetMGM brand “into new international markets like Brazil”.
Mr Fritz “is a visionary leader with keen insights and instincts, and his new role will bring together all of digital plus gaming, marketing and advertising as we look to accelerate our omni-channel strategy and unlock significant growth in digital and iGaming,” stated the group’s CEO.
MGM Resorts is also part of the consortium developing MGM Osaka, Japan’s first integrated resort (IR) with casino.
