8 Rob Goldstein
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Las Vegas Sands
POWER SCORE: 1,777
POSITION LAST YEAR: 11
CLAIMS TO FAME
Sheldon Adelson’s global deputy and enforcer
Has overseen key property openings in Las Vegas and Macau
Given his evergreen impersonation of the energizer bunny, it seems almost redundant to be discussing the eventual retirement of gaming industry visionary and Las Vegas Sands (LVS) figurehead Sheldon Adelson. But when the day does eventually arrive for the 85-year-old, Rob Goldstein undoubtedly has the pedigree and experience to step into the leadership role.
A veteran of the company, having served as Executive Vice President of Marketing at the Sands Hotel in Atlantic City before joining Las Vegas Sands in 1995, Goldstein has been at the coalface of LVS’s rise to the top of the global gaming mountain.
Over the course of the past three decades, he has become a trusted confidante of Adelson, helping guide the company’s growth not just in Las Vegas but also in its highly successful Asian outreaches of Macau and Singapore.
Goldstein has been particularly invested in Macau, playing a key role in the development of the Cotai Strip and the more recent decision to transform Sands Cotai Central into Londoner Macao – a third nod to LVS’s stunningly successful themed resort concept in Asia’s gaming hub.
Discussing the company’s achievements when asked about the looming re-tendering process for Macau gaming licenses during its recent 3Q18 earnings call, Goldstein said, “All we can do is what we’re told and addressed by the government of Macau.
“They have asked us over the years to invest heavily in non-gaming assets. Well, we built 13,000 sleeping rooms. We built over 2 million square feet of retail mall. We built millions of square feet of MICE space. We basically built an arena when people thought that was a crazy idea.
“I just don’t know what else you can do but what you’re told to do – and we have done that.
“We’re big fans of China, we’re big fans of Macau, we’ve been wildly successful and our US$2 billion statement Sheldon made in the call to bring Londoner to fruition and the Four Seasons and the St Regis is proof positive.
“Actions speak louder than words. Those are our actions and that’s what we’re doing right now.”
Goldstein’s actions also speak volumes. Part of the executive team that oversaw the opening of LVS flagship The Venetian Las Vegas, he became the property’s first President and Chief Operating Officer upon its launch in 1999 where, as the company says, “he helped shape the identity of the property and set the stage for its long-lasting success.”
When the Palazzo opened in 2007, he took charge there too and with his promotion to President of Global Gaming Operations in January 2011 became a guiding force in LVS’s growth into the industry’s largest multinational.
Most notably, with LVS considered a leading contender for a Japan gaming license, the company’s global march looks to be only picking up pace.
For the full list of 2018 Asian Gaming Power 50 winners, click here.
