Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) has announced the establishment of a Board of Directors under the guidance of chairman and former MGM Resorts CEO Jim Murren. The company also announced the appointment of Q Casino’s outgoing president and CEO, Alex Dixon, as its chief executive.
In an email, an RWLV spokesperson told Bonus its new leadership would help accelerate growth and take the company to new heights.
Resorts World Las Vegas is excited to announce the formation of a Board of Directors with Jim Murren as Chairman and their appointment of Alex Dixon as the property’s Chief Executive Officer as a key part of our plan to further strengthen leadership and accelerate our growth strategy.
This announcement underscores Resorts World Las Vegas’s path of evolution as the appointments bolster the property’s governance structure to help drive the go-forward business strategy. We are confident this strengthened leadership structure will allow us to continue delivering unparalleled guest experiences and establish ourselves as the premier resort destination in Las Vegas.
Injection of New Blood Follows Recent Scandals
RWLV says the changes are a “key part” of its plan to “deepen and strengthen” its leadership and secure its place in the Vegas ecosystem.
From the release:
The new team, with a combined 130 years of experience in the gaming industry, will accelerate the Company’s growth strategy and continue its mission to remain Las Vegas’s premier resort destination for unmatched luxury and entertainment experiences and unforgettable moments.
What RWLV left unsaid, however, is that ongoing legal and compliance issues have created the need for a company reset.
Resorts World is one of two Vegas properties recently scrutinized by federal authorities over allegations of permitting, even encouraging, illegal gambling activities. As part of a non-prosecution agreement, the feds’ other target, MGM Grand, paid a $7.45 million fine earlier this year.
In addition to the federal scrutiny, RWLV and its former executive, Scott Sibella, are (separately) under investigation by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). A 12-count NGCB complaint against RWLV alleges Resorts World “welcomed” illegal bookmakers and players with a “history of ties to organized crime.”
Although the control board granted RWLV a short extension, its response to the complaint is due Dec. 9.
In January, Sibella pled to failing to file suspicious activity reports under the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) while in charge at MGM Grand. Sibella later became RWLV’s president and chief operating officer (COO) in 2019.
Murren May Have Known About Allegations
Notably, Nevada Current investigative journalist Dana Gentry reported yesterday that Murren knew of the allegations against MGM executives, including Scott Sibella, in 2019.
Gentry noted that Murren’s time as chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts coincided with Sibella’s reign at MGM Grand. Dixon also previously worked for MGM but was not connected to Vegas during the same period.
Gentry also presented email evidence that during Murren’s tenure—and before federal involvement—MGM, regulators, and authorities were warned about executives overlooking certain high-rollers’ criminal activity.
That evidence indicates that in January 2019, activist gambler RJ Cipriani, also known as Robin Hood 702, wrote to Murren, the NGCB, and the FBI. In that email, Cipriani claimed—with details— to have witnessed a lot of “inappropriate and illegal behavior going on at MGM properties.”
In light of this revelation, Bonus asked Resorts World for comment. RWLV has yet to respond.
Genting Backs New RWLV Leadership
According to the media release, Members of RWLV’s board assumed their positions on Dec. 4. Dixon will move into his new role as CEO on Jan. 16, 2025.
Kok Thay Lim, chairman and chief executive of Genting Berhad, RWLV’s owner, lauded the profound experience of RWLV’s new board and CEO.
As Resorts World Las Vegas continues to establish itself as the premier resort destination in Las Vegas, we are excited to welcome this group of industry leaders overseeing and guiding the Leadership Team to deliver unparalleled guest experiences while fostering our commitment to compliance. With over 40 years of collective experience in the global gaming and hospitality industry, we are confident that Alex and Jim, alongside the Board, will help drive the Company forward in pursuing our strategic goals for years to come.
New Board, CEO Add Depth of Experience
In addition to his leadership at MGM, Murren holds leadership positions with the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority in the United Arab Emirates, Cirque du Soleil, and Playstudios. The “industry veteran” also serves on Howard University’s Board of Trustees.
In a statement shared with yesterday’s announcement, Murren said he is thrilled to take on his new role.
Resorts World Las Vegas has transformed the Vegas Strip with its unceasing focus on providing the ultimate guest experience, which is why I’m thrilled to join the team and help continue setting the standard for premier hospitality. The Board and I are excited to continue building on the strong foundation set by the Executive Leadership Team and driving continued growth and innovation to benefit all of RWLV’s key stakeholders.
RWLV’s new CEO, Dixon, comes from Q Casino & Resort and Dubuque Racing Association. He has over 20 years of gaming, hospitality, entertainment, real estate, and banking experience. In addition to MGM Resorts International, he worked in top roles at Caesars Entertainment and Goldman Sachs & Co.
The new board includes three additional members, plus Murren as chairman. Murren’s peers—A.G. Burnett, Michelle DiTondo, and Genting’s Kong Han Tan—have experience in gaming law and regulation, people management, finance, real estate, entertainment, and gambling operations.
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