Echo Entertainment, Australian-listed owner of Sydney’s The Star casino, has appointed a former US gaming chief to its top job as it fights the threat of competition from James Packer in the nation’s capital.
John Redmond, an industry veteran who served at one time as president and CEO of the MGM Grand on the Las Vegas Strip and CFO of Caesars Palace, will take up the dual roles of managing director and chief executive officer in January. He currently is a non-executive director of Echo.
“He has a deep knowledge of all aspects of casino and entertainment operations and will bring international experience and perspective to Echo’s strategy for corporate growth,” said Chairman John O’Neill. “By relocating to Australia from the US, John will lead a rejuvenated leadership team across Echo’s four properties in New South Wales and Queensland with a clear goal of driving profitable growth.”
The change of management comes as Mr Packer’s Crown Limited is pushing forward in its quest to break The Star’s casino monopoly in Sydney and develop a rival project there.
It’s reported that Mr Redmond’s duties will also include repairing relations between Echo and the New South Wales Government.
