Best in the business
Global media giant Forbes has included a number of Las Vegas casino and gaming companies on its second annual America’s Best Employers by State list, published August 25. Five casino operators and one gaming technology company appear in the 25 places reserved for Nevada.
five casino operators and one gaming technology company
The highest-ranking firm is Wynn Resorts, placing sixth, followed by The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in eighth place. Las Vegas Sands ranks 14th, International Gaming Technology (IGT) came 16th, Westgate Resorts is in at number 22, while Boyd Gaming Corporation placed 24th.
At the top of the overall list for the state of Nevada is the Las Vegas Valley Water District, followed by Washoe County and United Parcel Service.
Notable inclusions from the industry
Wynn Resorts outpaced its Nevada gaming industry competitors on the Forbes list despite having had a rocky few years. The operator of two casinos in Las Vegas was at the center of a storm when CEO and founder Steven Wynn resigned in February 2018 over sexual allegations.
On a more positive note, this year Wynn Resorts paid nearly $250m worth of wages, benefits, and tips to its 15,000 employees during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wynn Resorts outpaced its Nevada gaming industry competitors
Las Vegas Sands issued a press release after claiming a spot on the Forbes list. CEO and chairman Sheldon Adelson commented: “Our company has built an enduring reputation as a global hospitality and business leader, due in large part to the dedication of our Team Members and leadership team.” He outlined how Forbes’ inclusion of the casino brand among Nevada’s best employers validates the company’s reputation.
The other names on the list
Also on the list is the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. The Strip hotel and casino property opened in 2010, and has since regularly placed on lists of the best hotels in the world.
Westgate Resorts owns the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino and the Westgate Flamingo Bay Resort in Las Vegas. It also has properties in 14 other regions across the country. Also featured is Boyd Gaming Corporation, the owner and operator of ten hotels and casinos across Las Vegas, with about 25,000 employees.
The single gaming company to make the Nevada top employers list is IGT, a world-leading producer of slot machines and other gambling technology.
Recognition for the most-liked employers
The Forbes Best Employers survey seeks to recognize those “organizations liked best by employees”. It requires respondents to anonymously rate their employer on various criteria, including work environment safety, salary competitiveness, and opportunities for career progression.
For the second edition, Forbes partnered with US market research firm Statista, which compiled the current Best Employers list by surveying 80,000 American employees of companies with 500 staff or more. A total of 51 rankings represent all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. Surveys took place between October 2019 and May of this year.