American casino operator, MGM Resorts International, has reportedly announced that Brian Sandoval (pictured) has resigned as its Global Gaming Development President so as to pursue the top administrative job at the University of Nevada Reno.

According to a Wednesday report from the Reno Gazette-Journal newspaper, 56-year-old Sandoval served as the Governor of Nevada for eight years from January of 2011 before joining the ranks of the Las Vegas-headquartered casino firm so as to help lead its international expansion efforts.

Japanese prospects:

MGM Resorts International is responsible for some of the most prominent gambling-friendly properties in the United States including the giant Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas and Atlantic City’s equally impressive Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa. Further afield and the New York-listed operator is hoping to build on the success of its MGM China Holdings Limited subsidiary, which runs Macau’s imposing MGM Macau and MGM Cotai properties, by securing at least one of three coming licenses to build and operate an integrated casino resort in Japan.

Comprehensive change:

The Reno Gazette-Journal reported that MGM Resorts International recently detailed that well-known industry figure Bill Hornbuckle had replaced the outgoing James Murren as its latest Chief Executive Officer with experienced investment banker Paul Salem being elevated to the post of Chairman. The Nevada company’s newly-installed boss purportedly used an official press release to thank Sandoval for his efforts and ‘wish him the very best in pursuit of this next opportunity’.

Reportedly read the statement from Hornbuckle…

“We are grateful to Governor Sandoval for all that he has accomplished in his time at MGM Resorts International. He helped to advance our efforts in Japan, in jurisdictions where we were seeking expanded access and areas where we pursued sportsbetting opportunities.”

Academic ambition:

For his part and Sandoval, who moreover had a 39-month spell with the Nevada Gaming Commission from April of 1998 before leaving to become the 30th Nevada Attorney General, is now reportedly hoping to be named as the successor to the retiring Marc Johnson as President for the University of Nevada Reno. But he is purportedly set to face stiff competition for the post at the university he attended in the 1980s from multiple candidates including the public institution’s current second-in-command, Kevin Carman.

Authentic appreciation:

A life-long Republican, Sandoval reportedly used the press release to describe Murren and Hornbuckle as ‘two of the giants in the gaming industry’ and that he was ‘grateful’ to have been given the chance to work with them and ‘the amazing MGM family’.

Reportedly read Sandoval’s statement…

“Having accomplished my goals at MGM Resorts International, I have decided to put my time, energy and public and private experience to work as an applicant to become the next President of the University of Nevada Reno. I am thankful for the experiences I had and the people I got to know while at MGM Resorts International and wish everyone good health and safety during these challenging times.”