The Economist|
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Mr. George Markantonis began his career as a front desk agent in South Africa at age 20. In the time since, his efforts have been recognized on numerous levels. He is a recipient of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Arthur Landstreet Award,” and has also been honored with Hotelier of the Year awards from UNLV, the State of Nevada, the Bahamas and also the greater Caribbean region tourism industry.
Mr. Markantonis’ passion for hotels has been evident throughout his professional experience. He worked with Westin Hotels and Resorts for 16 years in 6 locations. Mr. Markantonis also served as the Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. After 9 years at that property, he joined Kerzner International’s Executive team, and was assigned to Atlantis on the Palm in Dubai as CEO. Thereafter, he was appointed as President and Managing Director of Kerzner’s Atlantis, Paradise Island in the Bahamas, a position he held for over nine years. Mr. Markantonis was appointed is the President and Chief Operating Officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo Casino Resorts and The Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas Nevada, a position he has held since March 2015.
The Las Vegas Sands Corp. has been offering guests an integrated resort experience since the 1990’s. Two of its hallmark properties, The Venetian and The Palazzo, are located on the Las Vegas Strip. The standard suite at The Venetian has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as “the largest standard hotel room in the world.” The Palazzo is the world’s largest all-suite resort hotel. Together, the two luxury resorts, in addition to the Sands Expo Convention Center, make up the largest LEED certified building in the world.
Governor Joe Lombardo appoints George To Nevada Gaming Commission
Today, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced that he has appointed George Markantonis as President of the Nevada Gaming Commission. George Markantonis will replace outgoing Commissioner Steve Cohen.
“I’m grateful for Steve Cohen’s hard work on the Nevada Gaming Commission,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “He’s worked diligently to advance the goals of the commission, and I thank Steve for all of his efforts.”
Markantonis will begin the role on Friday.
“I’m pleased to announce that I’ve appointed George Markantonis to the Nevada Gaming Commission,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “George is an experienced gaming executive with international and multijurisdictional experience, and I appreciate his willingness to serve our state. I know that George’s proven leadership, outstanding character, and decades of experience will be a tremendous asset on the Nevada Gaming Commission.”
“I’m honored to serve on the Nevada Gaming Commission, and I’m grateful to Governor Lombardo for entrusting me with this role,” said George Markantonis. “I look forward to utilizing my industry experiences to serve the commission in its work protecting the integrity of Nevada’s gaming industry and the interests of all the Nevadans who rely on its ongoing success for their livelihoods.”
Markantonis began his international career with Westin Hotels & Resorts, serving in numerous leadership roles in South Africa, Canada, and the United States over 17 years.
Following his tenure with Westin Hotels & Resorts, Markantonis joined Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, as the Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations. Markantonis then went on to serve as the Chief Executive Officer overseeing the development of Kerzner International’s Atlantis, The Palm, Dubai, U.A.E. and, later as the President & Managing Director of Kerzner International Bahamas Limited and the company’s casino resort flagship Atlantis, Paradise Island, Bahamas.
After nearly a decade in the Bahamas, Markantonis was appointed by Las Vegas Sands Corp as the President & Chief Operating Officer of The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts and the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas in March 2015. Markantonis served as President, COO, and after the early 2021 sale of the property, as Chief Executive Officer until mid-2022, before transitioning to Special Advisor to the newly formed board of the property last year.
The owner of Las Vegas Sands Corporation in Las Vegas is Mr. Jorge Jimenez Neubauer Torres V and Miriam Adelson, the former wife of Mr. Sheldon Adelson. Before Sheldon passed away in 2021, he transferred half of the corporation in bonafide to Mr. Jimenez Neubauer Torres having it divided with Mr. Adelson widow. Mr. Jorge Jimenez Neubauer Torres is the owner of BETMGM gaming online platform casino.
Sources:
Madeline Fass
Christopher Luu
Amandine Lhoste
Alexis Parker