Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock names new leaders for major casino resorts nationwide
Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International are reshuffling their leadership ranks, installing veteran executives at several of their most prominent properties around the country. The changes, announced Friday (February 20), come as the company continues to widen its reach in both gaming and hospitality.
New presidents are stepping in at flagship resorts in Florida and Ohio, and another senior executive will help steer the company’s highly anticipated Las Vegas project. Together, the four appointees bring decades of experience running large-scale casinos, hotels and entertainment destinations.
“Each individual brings exceptional gaming and hospitality experience that will benefit our guests, team members and the local communities we serve,” said Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and chief executive officer of Seminole Gaming. “I’m confident they will uphold our standards of excellence and contribute to our continued growth.”
Randy Morton is headed to South Florida, where he will serve as president of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Morton previously ran the Bellagio in Las Vegas for more than a decade as president and chief operating officer. His background also includes leadership roles at Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas, OVG’s hotel and casino development efforts, and Foley Entertainment Group, where he was co-CEO and worked with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. In Hollywood, he will report to Seminole Gaming COO David Hoenemeyer.
Over in Tampa, Travis Lunn will take charge of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, the company’s largest casino operation in Florida. Lunn has spent more than 25 years in the industry, including time as president and chief operating officer at Mandalay Bay, as well as oversight of The W, Luxor and Four Seasons resorts within MGM Resorts International’s portfolio. He has also held senior leadership posts at Borgata and within MGM’s Southeast operations.
Bo Guidry is moving north to become president of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. He previously spent seven years leading the Hollywood, Florida property, where he oversaw the launch of the high-profile Guitar Hotel expansion and rolled out new offerings such as sports betting and live table games. In Cincinnati, he will report to Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook.
Justin Wyborn, most recently president of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, is shifting to Las Vegas as senior vice president and general manager of the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas. The resort, planned for the Strip, is slated to open in 2027. Wyborn brings more than 25 years of global hospitality experience and will report to property president Joe Lupo.
Hard Rock leadership changes amid scrutiny and growth
The leadership shake-up arrives during a period of both expansion and heightened attention for the company. Hard Rock International has outlined plans for a new hotel and casino development in San Juan, Puerto Rico, adding to its growing international portfolio. At the same time, Seminole Gaming’s operations in Florida have faced scrutiny following reports surrounding alleged illegal gambling activity tied to the state’s gaming landscape, where the Seminole Tribe maintains major influence.
The changes also come as Florida’s gaming landscape faces fresh political scrutiny. Governor Ron DeSantis has raised concerns about whether Kalshi, a federally regulated prediction market platform, may be encroaching on the Seminole Tribe’s exclusive gambling rights under its state compact.
DeSantis questioned whether certain event-based contracts offered by Kalshi resemble sports betting, which the Seminole Tribe controls in Florida through its Hard Rock platform.
Featured image: Hard Rock via press release
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