Hard Rock International
Seminole Hard Rock Promotes Keith Sheldon to President of Entertainment and Brand Management
Seminole Hard Rock has promoted Keith Sheldon to President of Entertainment and Brand Management for Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International. In this new and expanded role, Sheldon will be responsible for oversight of brand management, consumer marketing, brand partnerships, and sponsorship revenue generation. He will continue to oversee all facets of entertainment including programming, talent buying, nightlife, and industry relations. Sheldon will continue to report to Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming.
“Since Keith joined our team in 2020 to lead our entertainment efforts, he has played an integral role in elevating Hard Rock and Seminole Hard Rock brands through strategic partnerships and once-in-a-lifetime events for our guests. We’re excited for Keith to continually build upon those incredible entertainment experiences with new partners and bolster our brands in new and exciting ways in his expanded role,” Allen said.
For the last four years as President of Entertainment at Seminole Hard Rock, Sheldon has booked numerous world-class entertainment, sports, and lifestyle events for the brand. These include performances by The Rolling Stones, Metallica, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Maluma, Wu-Tang Clan, The Chainsmokers, Tiësto, Dave Chappelle, Post Malone, and many others. Additionally, Sheldon led Seminole Hard Rock’s groundbreaking partnerships with Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and Las Vegas Grand Prix, Oracle Red Bull Racing, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, Audacy, Horizon Media, and Lionsgate Pictures for John Wick: Chapter 4.
“I am honored to work with incredible performers, partners, and Team Members at Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming and look forward to growing our unique brand offerings for entertainment lovers and guests around the world,” Sheldon said.
Bo Guidry
Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International Announce New Leadership Appointments Across Multiple Casino Destinations Nationwide
Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International announced key leadership appointments and transitions across their hotel and casino portfolio, spurred by the organization’s ongoing growth, entertainment innovation, and commitment to world-class service.
The appointments include: Randy Morton as the new President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood; Travis Lunn as the new President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa; Bo Guidry as the new President of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati; and Justin Wyborn to the new role of SVP and General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas.
“These appointments reflect both the exceptional talent within our organization and the caliber of new leaders we’re bringing to our team. Each individual brings exceptional gaming and hospitality experience that will benefit our guests, team members and the local communities we serve. I’m confident they will uphold our standards of excellence and contribute to our continued growth,” said Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming.
Randy Morton
Industry veteran Randy Morton is joining as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to manage the iconic Guitar Hotel property in Hollywood, Fla., reporting to David Hoenemeyer, COO of Seminole Gaming. Morton brings extensive industry experience to the role, including over 12 years leading Bellagio in Las Vegas as President and COO. He has held leadership roles at: Waldorf Astoria Las Vegas; OVG Hotel and Casino Development in Las Vegas, overseeing the strategic planning and development of a high-profile luxury development project; as Co-CEO of Foley Entertainment Group and the Vegas Golden Knights; and at Monte Carlo Resort & Casino.
Travis Lunn
Also new to the team and reporting to David Hoenemeyer is Travis Lunn, tapped as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, which includes Seminole Gaming’s largest Florida casino. Lunn brings more than 25 years of gaming and hospitality leadership experience to his new role. Most recently, for MGM Resorts International, he served as President and COO for Mandalay Bay, The W, Luxor and Four Seasons. His career includes leadership roles at The Borgata Casino, MGM Resorts Southeast Group overseeing Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss., and Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss., as well as MGM Grand Las Vegas, and The Venetian and The Palazzo resorts.
Bo Guidry
For the last seven years as President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Bo Guidry has played an instrumental role during the opening of the iconic Guitar Hotel and introduction of sports betting, craps and roulette. In his new role overseeing the company’s popular Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, he will report to Jeff Hook, COO of Hard Rock International. Guidry previously served in leadership roles at Horseshoe Council Bluffs and Harrah’s Council Bluffs Hotel & Casino, where he oversaw the team for Caesars Entertainment Corporation over 10 years, held key roles at Harrah’s Casino St. Louis and has worked at properties across the country.
Justin Wyborn
Justin Wyborn has more than 25 years of international hospitality experience. Since joining the company in 2013, he has held multiple leadership roles across its Florida properties, and was most recently President of Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati. Wyborn is taking on a new role as SVP and General Manager of the upcoming Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, reporting to Joe Lupo, President of the property. Currently under construction and slated to open in 2027, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas will transform the city’s skyline and provide luxury gaming, dining and entertainment experiences in the center of the Las Vegas Strip.
The post Seminole Gaming and Hard Rock International Announce New Leadership Appointments Across Multiple Casino Destinations Nationwide appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
2026 FIFA World Cup
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming Sustain Commitment to Prevent Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry with New Global Initiatives and Expanded Programs
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming are recognizing National Human Trafficking Prevention Month this January by expanding their comprehensive anti-trafficking initiatives with educational forums at flagship properties, a new partnership for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and global growth of existing programs, including the Social Identity Quest program, Change for Change initiative and trainings for frontline team members.
“Our responsibility extends far beyond providing world-class entertainment and hospitality experiences. We recognize our unique position to identify, prevent and combat human trafficking. This year’s initiatives reflect our commitment to community partnership and ensuring our programs serve those most vulnerable to exploitation,” said Stephanie Piimauna, SVP of People & Inclusion at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming.
These initiatives build on Hard Rock International’s industry-leading commitment to combating human trafficking. Their efforts recently earned recognition from ECPAT International, who named Hard Rock International a 2025 Top Member of The Code, the world’s first and only voluntary set of business principles that travel, tourism, and hospitality companies can implement to prevent the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children.
Convening Communities and Industry Leaders to Support Trafficking Prevention
This month, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming are bringing together team members, community partners and industry leaders in collaborative workshops designed to create innovative prevention strategies that can further inform the companies’ human trafficking prevention programs.
On January 14 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Hard Rock and Seminole Gaming hosted a Warrior Workshop to Reclaim Safety. While human trafficking and related social issues disproportionately affect Indigenous communities, significant gaps persist in trafficking prevention resources available to serve these populations.
The workshop was facilitated by Durante Blais-Billie, Seminole Tribe member and Social Responsibility Specialist at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming; Cheyne Bluhm, Deputy Director of Curriculum & Learning at PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking); and Tsvetelina Thompson, Managing Director at Twentyfour-Seven Inc.
On January 28 at Hard Rock Hotel New York, Hard Rock will host an educational forum with community partner Covenant House to gather industry leaders with trafficking survivors and experts to explore practices that can accelerate industry action to protect vulnerable youth. Attendees will tackle real-world challenges, share firsthand insights and build solutions for collective action and industry-wide engagement.
The post Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming Sustain Commitment to Prevent Human Trafficking in the Hospitality Industry with New Global Initiatives and Expanded Programs appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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Welcome to our weekly roundup of American gambling news again! Here, we are going through the weekly highlights of the American gambling industry which include the latest news and new partnerships. Read on and get updated.
Latest News
National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) Board of Directors has announced Heather L. Maurer, MA, CAE as the organisation’s next Executive Director, effective January 7, 2026. Maurer brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the fields of public health, policy and nonprofit management. Most recently, she served as CEO of National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health, where she led the organisation to its strongest financial position in more than a decade by expanding revenue streams, restructuring operations and building sustainable reserves to ensure long-term growth. As Executive Director, Ms. Maurer will lead NCPG’s strategic direction and oversee its national programmes, partnerships and advocacy initiatives. Her work will focus on strengthening NCPG’s advocacy presence and uniting affiliates, policymakers, industry leaders and community partners to advance policies that prevent gambling-related harm and expand access to support services.
Hard Rock Casino Tejon, developed in partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe, officially opens to the public following a celebratory Guitar Smash ceremony marking a historic milestone as the first full-scale gaming and entertainment property in Kern County. Located 80 miles north of Los Angeles, the $600 million project is a multi-phase investment designed to transform the region through hospitality, entertainment and economic development. The destination has created more than 1000 permanent jobs and over 5000 construction-related roles, representing the largest private hospitality investment in Kern County’s history. Hard Rock Casino Tejon is expected to continue delivering lasting benefits for the local economy, tourism sector and community development across the Southern San Joaquin Valley. The opening was celebrated with Hard Rock’s iconic Guitar Smash Ceremony, symbolising a bold new beginning.
Partnerships
BetMGM announced that the company is now an official sports betting and online casino partner of the Pittsburgh Penguins. With this multi-year agreement, BetMGM holds partnerships with all three of Pittsburgh’s major professional sports teams. Key elements of the partnership include prominent BetMGM signage and branding throughout PPG Paints Arena, co-branded social media content, exclusive promotions and premium hospitality assets for VIP fan experiences. BetMGM also plans to introduce Penguins-themed iGaming products in the near future. As BetMGM continues to expand into new markets and introduce new features, responsible gaming remains a key focus. Additionally, BetMGM provides resources to help customers play responsibly including GameSense, an industry leading programme, developed and licensed to MGM Resorts by the British Columbia Lottery Corporation.
Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming joined forces with nonprofit organisation Ocean Conservancy for the Global Sound Waves joint sustainability programme. This collaboration unites Hard Rock team members and communities worldwide with Ocean Conservancy’s mission of protecting the oceans by reducing waste and driving meaningful environmental change. The partnership, motivated by one of Hard Rock’s guiding mottos: Save the Planet, takes a proactive approach to ocean conservation by focusing on upstream waste management, addressing water, food and material waste to prevent it from polluting the ocean. Through comprehensive waste audits and data-driven analysis, Hard Rock and Ocean Conservancy identify diversion opportunities and implement alternatives that set meaningful waste reduction goals across Hard Rock’s global operations.
The post Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – November 17-23 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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