Markantonis Appointed To Nevada Gaming Commission

The Nevada Gaming Commission has welcomed a new member. Towards the end of April, George Markantonis was appointed to the position by Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo.

Markantonis, the former president and CEO of The Venetian, has now joined the five-person commission, taking the place of Las Vegas attorney Steven Cohen.

In announcing the appointment, Lombardo praised Markantonis for his gaming experience.

“George is an experienced gaming executive with international and multi-jurisdictional 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.”

Markantonis has several years of gaming experience

Markantonis, unlike his predecessor, has several years of experience in the Nevada casino business. Cohen was appointed to the commission in 2019 by Former Gov. Steve Sisolak, but he decided not to seek reappointment for the part-time role.

In 2021, Jennifer Togliatti, a former judge, was appointed as the chair of the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC).

Learning that Markantonis is only the second ex-gaming executive to serve on the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) is somewhat astonishing. The only other NGC member with casino experience was Michonne Ascuaga, a former executive at Sparks Nugget. She was nominated to the commission by the then-Governor Brian Sandoval in 2015.

Markantonis commented on his new position at the NGC, saying:

“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, with his experience in Las Vegas casino and international hospitality, is a valuable addition to the NGC. He served as the CEO of The Venetian for seven years, leaving shortly after the property was sold and operations were taken over by Apollo Gaming.

Markantonis also brings years of hospitality experience to commission

Before working at The Venetian, Markantonis was employed by various companies in the hospitality and gaming industries.

For 17 years, he was an employee of Westin Hotels & Resorts, serving in various capacities within the company in South Africa, Canada, and the US. Afterwards, he moved on to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where he held the position of Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations.

In addition to his other roles, Markantonis served as CEO for Kerzner International. During his tenure, he contributed to the development of Atlantis resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas and The Palm in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

He will now join the commission responsible for making the final decisions on licensing and other regulatory matters, as recommended by the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).

NGC enforces state laws on gaming

Established in 1959, the NGC is comprised of five members who are appointed by the Nevada governor for four-year terms. One of these members serves as the chairman.

The NGCB advises the NGC on matters concerning gaming licenses. It is within the commission’s power to approve, restrict, limit, impose conditions on, deny, revoke, or suspend any gaming license.

Furthermore, the NGC is tasked with the adoption of gaming regulations and the enforcement of state laws that govern gaming.