Crown Melbourne appoints US casino executive Ed Domingo as CEO
US casino executive Ed Domingo is the new chief executive of Crown’s Melbourne property and will take up the position in late April.
Domingo will succeed Mike Volkert, who looking at opportunities outside of the company. Volkert served as CEO for the past two and a half years.
Domingo brings over 20 years of experience in the hospitality and casino industry to Crown, including as the president chief operating officer of Empire City Casino in New York with MGM Resorts International and stints at Bellagio Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Caesars Entertainment and Rush Street Gaming.
“With his extensive industry experience across various gaming jurisdictions, Ed is well-positioned to lead Crown Melbourne’s next phase of growth and success,” Crown Resorts chief executive David Tsai said.
Tsai also thanked Volkert for his “invaluable contribution over the past two and a half years, including his leadership in our transformation journey.”
Volkert will stay on until Domingo takes the position to ensure a smooth transition.
Crown Melbourne has been a key fixture in Melbourne’s entertainment and tourism sector for three decades and is setting itself for its next phase of transformation and growth.
The company plans to invest several hundred million dollars in new hospitality venues, including bars and restaurants, across its Australian operations as it shifts towards a less “casino-centric” model amid increased regulatory scrutiny of gaming activities.
Earlier this year, Crown announced the sale of its London property to Las Vegas-based Wynn Resorts, with Tsai stating that the sale of Crown London Aspinalls for an undisclosed amount aligns with the company’s strategy to strengthen investment in its Australian assets and customer offerings to “deliver sustainable growth in our core market”.
Major global gaming hubs such as Las Vegas, Macau, and Atlantic City, which were initially developed as casino destinations, have since evolved into integrated resort and entertainment precincts.
Crown has faced challenges from subdued tourism activity, with international visitor numbers still at around 80% of pre-pandemic levels and domestic discretionary spending remaining weak.
Jonathan Jackson, 19th March 2025
