Casinos Venetian and Palazzo Terminate Employment of Senior Staff Members
In the heart of Las Vegas, changes are afoot at two of the city's iconic casinos – the Venetian and the Palazzo. Owned by Apollo Global Management, these integrated resorts have recently undergone a series of layoffs as part of a broader streamlining strategy.
The aim of these layoffs is to optimize operations and reduce costs amid a changing casino market environment. Gambling revenue has been on a decline in recent years, despite steady tourism spending on hotels and entertainment. This shift in the industry has necessitated adjustments, and the Venetian and Palazzo are not exceptions.
While specific numbers of employees affected have not been publicly detailed, it is known that the workforce initially comprised thousands at Venetian and Palazzo. The layoffs have impacted senior-level staff working in management across departments such as hotel operations, marketing, and casino hosts.
The Venetian, however, has stated that fewer than 50 out of more than 8,500 employees were affected by the layoffs. The company has also made it clear that the decision was made to deliver exceptional service and remain agile in a rapidly evolving industry.
The restructuring at the Venetian includes reducing layers within its leadership to facilitate swift decision-making and a closer connection between frontline teams and senior leaders. The aim is to operate more effectively, create new opportunities, and maintain a focus on providing extraordinary experiences for guests and team members.
In line with this, the Venetian has undergone a significant $1.5bn upgrade, which includes the completion and operation of the Venetian Expo Center, the poker room, and the new high-limit room.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, another casino in the city, has also joined the wave of layoffs, affecting staff members across multiple departments. Interestingly, Fontainebleau has provided two weeks of severance pay to its laid-off employees, regardless of their seniority or position.
The Venetian's restructuring was made with thoughtful consideration and guided by its core values, acknowledging the challenges associated with such transitions. However, one former employee described the severance packages at the Venetian as "inadequate."
This streamlining and cost-cutting strategy by Apollo Global Management follows its acquisition of the Venetian and Palazzo properties earlier in 2025. The move is part of broader adjustments in the industry, reflecting trends towards labor restructuring to adapt to evolving visitor behaviors and economic pressures on casino revenues.
- The changing market environment in the casino industry has prompted the Venetian and Palazzo, owned by Apollo Global Management, to streamline their operations, focusing on finance and business strategies to reduce costs and optimize service.
- Despite fewer than 50 employees being affected by the layoffs at the Venetian, the business restructuring includes reevaluating leadership positions, upgrading facilities like the poker room and high-limit room, and focusing on maintaining extraordinary guest and team member experiences.
