4-11-2024 (SINGAPORE) Andrew MacDonald, chief casino officer and director at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), has resigned from his position to “pursue personal interests”, according to a filing by Genting Singapore to the Singapore Exchange on November 2.
The departure of the 64-year-old casino veteran, effective November 1, comes in the wake of his controversial ban from rival Marina Bay Sands (MBS), where he had previously held senior positions for over a decade. In August, MacDonald revealed via LinkedIn that he had received a persona non grata notice, barring him from all MBS premises, including the hotel, mall, convention centre and casino, following allegations of attempting to poach high-value players.
MacDonald’s exit from RWS marks the end of a brief but significant tenure, having joined the integrated resort in September 2022 after serving as executive vice-president of casino operations at MBS from 2010 and later as chief casino officer for Las Vegas Sands from 2012 until July 2021.
The seasoned executive, whose annual remuneration package at RWS was reported to be between S$2.5 million and S$2.75 million according to company filings, had been responsible for overseeing the casino’s entire operation at the Sentosa-based resort.
Industry observers note that the circumstances surrounding MacDonald’s departure and earlier ban from MBS represent an unprecedented situation in Singapore’s tightly regulated casino sector. The news had minimal impact on Genting Singapore’s stock performance, with shares closing up 1.2 per cent at S$0.845 on November 1, prior to the announcement.
