Legendary casino executive Bobby Baldwin steps down

MGM Resorts International announces Baldwin to leave at the end of the year.

"Few have played a more central role in the growth and transformation of the gaming industry than Bobby"

MGM Resorts International announced Baldwin will be stepping down as CEO and President of CityCenter and Chief Customer Development Officer of MGM Resorts. Neither parties disclosed the reasons behind the decision.

MGM issued a brief press release last week, in which they announced the decision. The announcement reads:

"MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) ("MGM Resorts") today announced that Robert Baldwin, Chief Customer Development Officer of MGM Resorts and CEO and President of CityCenter, will be leaving his positions at both companies later this year. Few have played a more central role in the growth and transformation of the gaming industry than Bobby, and his contributions over more than three decades are immeasurable.

MGM Resorts thanks Bobby for all he has done for the company and all he has meant to this industry and wishes him the best for the future."

The Oklahoma native, Baldwin used to play poker professionally before turning the casino business. In 1978 he won the WSOP Main Event, as the youngest at that time. He went on to accumulate a total of four bracelets in his lifetime and have been a regular participant in the high-stakes cash games. Baldwin wrote a chapter in Doyle Brunson's Super/System in 1978, and authored his own book, Tales out of Tulsa, in the 1980s.

He first started working as a casino executive in 1982, as a consultant for the Golden Nugget and later became the president of the company. Bobby held different positions during the upcoming decades, including the president of the Bellagio Casino. The legendary high-limit poker room, "Bobby's Room" is named after him.

Baldwin at the Super High Roller Bowl in 2016

In 2003 he was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame, the most exclusive group a poker player (or industry worker) can get into.

Bobby became the CEO of Project City Center in 2005. CityCenter first opened in 2009, including ARIA, Vdara, Mandarin Oriental, The Crystals, and The Crystals. He has been working as the president of the conglomerate since then.