Leadership at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas has shifted as the property’s top executives, Cliff Atkinson and Chad Konrad, assume operational control of the casino amidst ongoing labor unrest. The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) granted preliminary approval to the newly formed entity C&C 4455, which will manage day-to-day gaming operations at the off-Strip property. This transition follows the departure of Mohegan Gaming as the casino’s operator and aims to address challenges the resort has faced since its 2021 reopening.

C&C 4455, led by Atkinson as CEO and Konrad continuing as CFO, represents a strategic move to streamline operations and revitalize the property. Atkinson, a seasoned industry leader, highlighted the need for significant changes, stating, “Since reopening… the property has struggled. The deal with Mohegan simply did not work.” He outlined plans to enhance Virgin’s appeal to local residents, introduce new entertainment options, and implement a customer loyalty program to boost performance.

Konrad echoed this vision, emphasizing the duo’s commitment to operational improvement. “We both have a similar belief in the property… and in our ability to really drive this casino from a performance standpoint forward,” he told the three-member NGCB, according to a report published by the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Despite this forward-looking approach, the changes are subject to final approval by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Ongoing Union Dispute Draws Regulatory Attention

Parallel to the operational transition, Virgin Hotels Las Vegas faces intensifying pressure from Culinary Union Local 226, whose members have been on strike since November 15. The labor action, now the longest in recent memory, stems from an 18-month impasse over contract negotiations. Union members used the NGCB meeting to push for closer scrutiny of Virgin’s ownership, accusing the property of misrepresenting its financial position to avoid settling.

Ted Pappageorge, the union’s secretary-treasurer, called out Virgin’s unwillingness to meet industry-standard contracts offered at comparable properties, including Westgate and Sahara. “Unfortunately, we have a company that is unwilling to settle the standards that we have negotiated in Las Vegas,” he said.

The union contends that Virgin’s ownership group—which includes a Canadian pension fund, private equity firm Juniper Capital Management, and Richard Branson’s Virgin Group—has the financial capacity to meet employee demands. Union member Paul Catha questioned the absence of ownership representatives during the hearing, urging regulators to delve deeper into the financial operations of the property.

Regulatory Oversight and Future Negotiations

In response to union concerns, NGCB Chair Kirk Hendrick referenced a comprehensive investigative report into Virgin’s leadership and ownership, signaling that regulatory due diligence had been conducted. However, the ongoing strike highlights a deeper divide. Pappageorge accused Virgin’s owners of undermining long-established labor standards in Las Vegas, stating, “If they don’t agree to Vegas standards, [they should] go back to Canada.”

Virgin Hotels Las Vegas pushed back, accusing the union of refusing meaningful negotiations. In a statement, the property argued that the union’s demands are unsustainable and have already led to layoffs at other casinos. The statement read, “We remain focused on reaching a reasonable agreement that secures a brighter future for all of our 1,710 team members and their families.”