Veteran gaming executive Chris Kelley will be the new president of MGM Resorts International’s new Cleveland-area casino once Ohio gaming regulators sign off on the licensing.
MGM Resorts acquired the operations on the Hard Rock Rocksino Northfiled Park last year and told Ohio regulators it would re-brand the racetrack casino. MGM said in a statement Friday it expects the change to occur in the first half of 2019.
Kelley joined MGM Resorts the CFO of MGM Grand Detroit in 2017. Prior to joining the company, Kelley held numerous leadership positions with Viejas Casino and Resort near San Diego, including several years as CFO.
“The Rocksino already cemented itself as a market leader in gaming and entertainment and, with Chris at the helm, we are looking forward to building on that successful foundation and driving further growth,” MGM COO of Regional Operations Anton Nikodemus said in a statement.
According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Rocksino is Ohio’s largest racetrack casino in terms of gaming revenue, despite being able to offer only certain slot machines, not table games or skilled-based slots such as poker. Rocksino took in $213.8 million in slot revenue through the first 10 months this year.
Northfield Park, which will be integrated into the MGM Resorts portfolio, is a casino, dining and entertainment facility located in Northfield, Ohio, a suburb approximately 17 miles southeast of downtown Cleveland and 18 miles north of Akron.
MGM Growth Properties, the real estate investment trust that is 70 percent owned by MGM Resorts, acquired the casino last year for $1 billion. MGM Resorts has leased the operations of the casino.
Kelley will assume his role at Northfield Park upon closing of the acquisition and the completion of licensing requirements.
