DeSalvio Exits Sands Bethlehem

Robert DeSalvio, the first president of Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, resigned last week. DeSalvio failed to give a reason for his departure, but the company said it was not related to the recent hacking incident, in which Sands Bethlehem was a focal point.

One of Pennsylvania’s most successful casinos is searching for a new president after the only leader of Sands Bethlehem stepped down last week. Robert DeSalvio will depart on March 14. According to the Express Times, DeSalvio wouldn’t comment on his departure and referred all questions to the company. Spokesman Ron Reese told the Morning Call that the separation had nothing to do with the recent hacking of Las Vegas Sands’ websites. The Sands Bethlehem website was hit particularly hard, with the hackers publishing social security numbers and other personal information about Bethlehem employees.

DeSalvio’s tenure in Bethlehem was remarkably successful. Since 2009, the casino has been one of the best performers in the state. The table game win was almost a quarter of the entire state win in 2013, and the slot win was second only to Parx Casino in suburban Philadelphia.

LVS President and COO Michael Leven said it was DeSalvio’s choice to leave and he was disappointed. Leven said the company is “exploring the best approach to fulfill Bob’s role.”

Prior to joining LVS, DeSalvio spent almost 10 years at Foxwoods in marketing capacities following many years in Atlantic City at the Sands property there (no relation to LVS).