Ex-Marina Bay Sands Casino Boss Blacklisted
Date: 2024-08-19 Author: Alex Crawford Categories: CASINO, PEOPLE
In a surprising turn of events, Andrew McDonald, who holds the position of casino director at Resorts World Sentosa, has been blacklisted by his former employer, Marina Bay Sands (MBS). His Persona Non-Grata status was notified on 31 July 2024 and McDonald himself announced it on social media, sparking a wave of discussions in the hospitality and gaming industries.
McDonald’s influence on the industry remains significant
While no official reason has been given for McDonald’s blacklisting, inside sources claim that MBS management suspects him of attempting to poach customers and staff for his new job at Resorts World Sentosa. McDonald, who now heads up the casino at the property, is also a director of Resorts World at Sentosa Pte Ltd.
Andrew McDonald spent nearly 12 years at Marina Bay Sands, holding a number of senior management positions, most recently as senior vice president and director of casinos. He resigned late last year and soon joined rival Resorts World Sentosa. McDonald is highly respected in the gaming industry for his analytical skills and retains considerable influence.
The imposition of Persona Non-Grata status on a senior employee of a rival resort is extremely rare in the casino industry, especially in Singapore, where casinos are heavily regulated. Given that McDonald has worked at both of the country’s major integrated resorts, the situation is even more complex and raises questions about the competitive dynamics between the two properties.
Marina Bay Sands has not issued an official explanation
The Persona Non-Grata designation bars McDonald from all areas of the Marina Bay Sands resort, including the hotel, mall, convention center, and casino. The ban has no time limit, and the notice states that MBS reserves the right to take legal action if there is any attempt to violate the order.
McDonald claims to have visited Marina Bay Sands twice: on July 22, he dined at Tong Dim Noodle Bar, and on July 26, following the release of Las Vegas Sands’ second-quarter 2024 financial results. An MBS spokesperson stressed that the decision to impose Persona Non-Grata designation is made only after careful consideration. However, the reasons for the decision remain confidential, fueling speculation.
“Restricting access to our property is a very serious decision. We have clear protocols in place to assess the need for such measures. The reasons behind such a decision remain confidential.”
MBS Statement
McDonald has categorically denied the allegations of poaching, insisting his visits to MBS were purely social, accompanying his friend Mike Sugrue, who was visiting from Australia. McDonald acknowledges meeting two “important” players, but insists it was a coincidence. The industry is continuing to monitor the story, assessing the impact it could have on McDonald’s career and the relationship between MBS and RWS.
