MGM Resorts International announced Scott Butera has been named president of interactive gaming, including sports betting and skill-based gaming. Butera is the former commissioner of the Arena Football league and the former chief executive officer at Foxwoods Casino Resort. In his new position, Butera will focus on MGM Resorts’ sports betting strategy and expanding operations to new U.S. markets.
MGM Chief Operating Officer Corey Sanders said, “Skill-based gaming is expanding exponentially and Scott’s experience will help us to dominate the field. As an industry leader in sports betting and cutting-edge interactive gaming offerings, MGM Resorts is well-positioned to bring our decades of experience and well-earned reputation to new markets throughout the country. Scott will play a key role as we continue to expand nationwide.”
Butera led Mashantucket Pequot-owned Foxwoods from 2010 to 2014 to join the AFL, where he was replaced as commissioner this spring, prior to the start of the four-team league’s current season. At Foxwoods, Butera negotiated a massive debt-restructuring for the tribe. Previously he led restructuring at Las Vegas-based Tropicana Entertainment and at Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts. Prior to that he was an investment banker for 15 years.
Butera holds a bachelor’s degree from Hartford’s Trinity College and a master of business administration degree from New York University.
MGM Resorts owns and operates casinos in Michigan, Mississippi and Maryland and will open a resort in Massachusetts in August. The company also will acquire a racetrack casino in New York. In Nevada, MGM’s sports book accepts 4 million wagers annually for a total of more than $1 billion.
