VICE CHAIRMAN, COO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Wynn Macau
POWER SCORE: 1,001
POSITION LAST YEAR: 15
CLAIMS TO FAME
- Go-to person for VIP marketing and government relations for Wynn Macau since inception
- Long-time trusted confidante of founder Steve Wynn
IT HAS NOT ESCAPED anyone’s attention that, at a time when her long-held role overseeing Wynn Macau’s operations in the VIP space is diminishing, Linda Chen’s role in securing the company’s future aspirations is becoming more pivotal – given the 26 June license-expiry sword of Damocles hanging over the heads of all six Macau gaming concessionaires.
Wynn’s frontline link to junkets has held a front row seat to the recent woes of the VIP industry, which has been battered by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a crackdown by Chinese authorities on cross-border gambling.
Yet VIP aside, Chen has plenty on her plate in her dual role as Wynn’s government relations guru. In June 2022, the 20-year gaming licenses of Macau’s concessionaires expire. It is expected that a re-tendering process will be undertaken before then with Chen perceived to play a key role in leading the company’s efforts to be granted a new license.
Notably, it was Chen who spoke on Wynn Macau’s behalf during a face-to-face consultation between the DICJ and operators in September.
Certainly she should know the company inside out. Part of the opening teams of three major Las Vegas resorts – The Mirage in 1989, MGM Grand in 1993 and Bellagio in 1998 – she served as Executive Vice President of International Marketing for Bellagio and as Executive Vice President of International Marketing for all of MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International).
She joined Wynn for the second time in her career in 2002, came to Macau when Wynn Resorts won its casino concession that year and oversaw the opening of Wynn Macau’s peninsula property of the same name in 2006.
For the full list of 2021 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
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