Chuck Atwood, vice chairman of Harrah’s Entertainment, retired from the operator effective December 19, after 30 years with the company.

Atwood was one of the executives steering Harrah’s on its growth from a two-property company to the 50-property behemoth that is today the world’s largest gaming company.

He joined Harrah’s via acquisition. Atwood joined the mergers and acquisitions department of Holiday Inns Corporation when the company purchased the late William Harrah’s two Northern Nevada casinos, the original Reno casino hotel and Harrah’s Tahoe.

He then was chairman of the Harrah’s riverboat task force, and oversaw openings of the operator’s Midwest riverboat casinos and Southern dockside operations during the 1990s. He also spearheaded the $570 million purchase of London Clubs International in 2006.

Atwood, who became CFO in 2001 and vice chairman in 2006, said he plans to spend his time on philanthropic projects such as the Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.