Jim Murren to Lead New Resorts World Las Vegas Board

Resorts World Las Vegas announced the formation of its first board of directors, which will be chaired by former MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren.

Acies Playstudios
Former MGM CEO Jim Murren is the chairman of the newly formed Resorts World Las Vegas board. (Image: KTNV)

Genting Berhad, parent company of the Las Vegas Strip casino hotel, added that Alex Dixon, a 20-year gaming industry veteran, is joining Resorts World Las Vegas as chief executive. Board members assumed their roles on Wednesday while Dixon will start his job on January 16.

News of the appointments arrived soon after Genting told investors that Resorts World Las Vegas struggled in the third quarter as “an abnormally hot summer in Las Vegas and economic uncertainty in an election year” led to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and revenue declines. The July through September stretch was the worst in two years for the venue.

The formation of the board and the appointments of Murren and Dixon come as Resorts World Las Vegas attempts to shake the effects of a money laundering scandal in which a former executive at the property was accused of allowing black-market bookmakers to wager there without questioning the source of their funds. In August, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) said it’s seeking financial penalties from Resorts World Las Vegas.

Murren Returns to Las Vegas

Joining the Resorts World Las Vegas board marks a return to Sin City of sorts for Murren. He left the top spot at MGM to oversee Nevada’s COVID-19 response task force.

Soon thereafter, he took roles with special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) that invested in gaming entities. Last year, he joined the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA) as chairman, and he holds leadership roles with Cirque du Soleil, Playstudios, and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Murren is constructive in his outlook for Resorts World Las Vegas.

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,” he said in a statement. “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.”

The Strip integrated resort has the financial support of parent Genting, a massive conglomerate with deep gaming experience around the world. Those resources coupled with the experience of Dixon and Murren could be steadying forces as the operator looks to boost profitability and revenue in 2025.

Dixon Sports Impressive Resume, Too

Dixon, a Las Vegas native, joins Resorts World from Q Casino & Resort and Dubuque Racing Association where he served as chief executive officer.

In addition to time at Goldman Sachs, Dixon held high-level roles at Caesars Entertainment and MGM, confirming he has the gaming and Las Vegas experience necessary to potentially right the ship at Resorts World.

“We have an incredible team of talented and committed employees throughout the organization and are confident we can achieve amazing things together,” said Dixon in the press release.

Todd Shriber
Todd Shriber Financial Reporter

Todd Shriber is a senior news reporter covering gaming financials, casino business, stocks, and mergers and acquisitions for Casino.org.

Todd got his start in financial markets as a reporter with Bloomberg News. Later, he became a trader at a Southern California-based long/short hedge fund, where he specialized in the trading sector and international ETFs leading up to and during the financial crisis. He joined Casino.org in 2019.

Currently, Todd analyzes, researches, and writes on ETFs for various web-based publications and financial services firms. Shriber has been featured and quoted in Barron's, CNBC.com, and The Wall Street Journal. His work can also be found on Benzinga, ETF Daily News, ETF Trends, MarketWatch, Fox Business, and Nasdaq.com.

He currently resides in Las Vegas, where he enjoys golf and taking his black lab to the dog park. He's also an avid sports fan and likes to wager on college football and the NBA. You can also find him at the three-card poker and roulette table, even though he knows better.

Contact Todd at todd.shriber@casino.org.

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  • D
    David December 6, 2024
    They need someone who has actual gaming management experience, not another corporate mucky muck who will chop heads and make up new rules that only… They need someone who has actual gaming management experience, not another corporate mucky muck who will chop heads and make up new rules that only look good on paper. By the way, how did his spac do? No word on its success or not.
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  • T
    Thomas December 5, 2024
    Jim Murren is dirtier than Scott Sibella. He sued the victims of the October 1st mass shooting. He's a SCUMBAG. That's a fact!
    Reply

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