MGM Resorts International CEO Jim Murren is not a big Donald Trump fan.
That much was clear from an op-ed that Murren penned f0r USA Today that he was not going to vote for his party’s candidate. The Republican said he would vote for Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton in November.
Trump, of course, was once a major part of the gaming industry, at least in Atlantic City in New Jersey. The two properties with which Trump was involved — Trump Taj Mahal (closing in October) and Trump Plaza (closed in 2014) — have done abysmally. Trump no longer had interest in either.
MGM of course has a major footprint in Nevada and now owns all of Borgata in AC.
Murren joins the crowd
Murren is simply the latest in a string of defections by high-profile Republicans to the Clinton camp, at least for now.
It’s a pretty scathing takedown of Trump, all things considered.
On economic concerns, Murren was clear that Clinton was better for business, in general:
One candidate works to create stability and certainty, qualities the market loves and rewards. The other operates erratically and unpredictably — qualities the market abhors and punishes.
Trump, bad for tourism
Murren did not get into casino industry concerns in specific in regards to Trump vs. Clinton.
But he did make it clear he thought Clinton was better for the industry at large.
Second, as the head of a company that competes globally in the gaming, hospitality and tourism industries, I know that diversity and inclusion are imperatives from the standpoint of both morality and business.
Within the gaming sector, 45% of our industry’s employees are minorities and nearly half — 48% — are women. In my company, 66% of our workforce is ethnically diverse. Clinton will stand up for women and minorities as essential contributors to America’s economy.
Trump, also not great for online gambling?
Trump has famously been linked to Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson. Adelson, more than nearly anyone else in the nation, has opposed the proliferation of online gambling.
Trump running mate Mike Pence also has a spotty record on gambling expansion.
MGM has not gotten that heavily involved in online gambling, although in recent months it has launched a sports betting app and slots tournaments.
Clinton might be a wild-card on these issues, but she could be more friendly than her Republican counterpart.
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