Brian Sandoval (pictured in a file photo), former two-term governor of Nevada in the United States, has been appointed to a new senior role in the Las Vegas casino industry, this time as chairman of the board at Resorts World Las Vegas, in the Nevada gaming hub.
It was disclosed on Thursday that Jim Murren, who had been board chairman at the Genting group-run property, would be stepping down to an honorary board role there. Mr Murren was chairman and chief executive of MGM Resorts International, one of Las Vegas’ biggest casino operators, from 2008 to 2020.
Mr Murren and Mr Sandoval had been brought in to Resorts World Las Vegas – along with AG Burnett, a former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairman – as part of a fresh governance team, following regulatory complaints against the property.
In March this year, it was announced the Nevada Gaming Commission had agreed a settlement – including a US$10.5-million fine – to end a multi-count complaint by its enforcement unit against Resorts World Las Vegas LLC, the operator of the Resorts World Las Vegas complex.
The deal saw the respondents, including Malaysia’s Genting Bhd and five other entities, neither admit nor deny wrongdoing over allegations including flouting of anti-money laundering procedures at the property.
Mr Sandoval served two terms as state governor from 2011 to 2019. Days after he left office, U.S.-based casino operator MGM Resorts International announced he had been hired for the post of its president of global gaming development. He left that role in early 2020, becoming president of the University of Nevada, Reno.
In September 2023, it had been announced Mr Murren would be the launch chairman of a new gaming regulator for the United Arab Emirates, the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority, referred to as the GCGRA.
