Bill Hornbuckle – CEO & President of MGM Resorts International
Bill Hornbuckle – CEO & President of MGM Resorts International
Bill Hornbuckle is the Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International, one of the world’s leading hospitality and entertainment companies. With over 40 years of experience in Las Vegas casino and hotel management, Hornbuckle has played a central role in shaping the modern gaming landscape.
He was named Acting CEO in March 2020 and officially appointed CEO and President on July 29, 2020. Under his strategic leadership, MGM Resorts navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated its digital gaming expansion through BetMGM, and strengthened its position as a global leader in integrated resort development.
Bill Hornbuckle Career
Bill Hornbuckle has built a career spanning more than four decades in the hospitality and gaming industry. After starting in entry-level hotel operations in Las Vegas, he steadily progressed into senior leadership positions at some of the world’s most recognised casino companies. His experience across operations, marketing, and executive management has helped shape MGM Resorts International into a global leader in integrated resorts, entertainment, and online gaming. Below is an overview of the key roles that have defined his professional journey.
Chief Executive Officer & President
MGM Resorts International
2020 – Present
Bill Hornbuckle serves as the CEO and President of MGM Resorts International, overseeing one of the largest and most recognized portfolios of casino resorts and entertainment venues in the world. Since assuming leadership, he has driven the company’s digital transformation and global expansion strategy.
President & Chief Operating Officer
MGM Resorts International
2012 – 2020
In his role as President and COO, Hornbuckle managed the day-to-day operations of MGM Resorts’ extensive property portfolio while building the company’s brand infrastructure and strategic partnerships across North America and internationally.
Chief Marketing Officer
MGM Resorts International
2009 – 2012
As CMO during the Great Recession, Hornbuckle was responsible for repositioning MGM Resorts’ brand identity and overseeing marketing initiatives across all properties as the company worked through a challenging economic period.
Bill Hornbuckle Education
University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)
Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration
Bill Hornbuckle earned a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), one of the world’s most respected institutions for hospitality education. Located in the heart of Las Vegas, the programme combines academic study with practical industry experience, preparing graduates for leadership roles in hotel management, tourism, gaming, and entertainment.
His education provided a strong foundation in hospitality operations, finance, marketing, and business management, equipping him with the skills needed to build a successful career in the casino and resort industry. The knowledge and industry connections gained at UNLV helped support his progression from entry-level hotel operations to becoming CEO and President of MGM Resorts International, one of the world’s largest hospitality and gaming companies.
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Major Achievements
Bill Hornbuckle has led some of the most significant milestones in MGM Resorts International’s history. His tenure at the company spans more than two decades and has been defined by bold strategic decisions, operational resilience, and forward-looking leadership.
He oversaw MGM Resorts International’s acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group, a landmark deal that fundamentally reshaped the Las Vegas Strip. Hornbuckle also played a key role in stabilizing MGM’s corporate structure during the financial pressures of the Great Recession, helping the company emerge stronger and better positioned for long-term growth.
Under his direction, MGM Resorts grew from owning just 1.5 properties in Las Vegas to operating a portfolio of 30 properties worldwide, including 19 regional resorts, establishing the brand as a truly global hospitality powerhouse.
As CEO during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Hornbuckle guided MGM Resorts through an unprecedented period of industry-wide shutdowns, making critical decisions that protected the business and its workforce while positioning the company for a strong recovery.
He was instrumental in the development and launch of The Mansion at MGM Grand, an ultra-luxury private villa experience, and served as a key figure in the creation and growth of BetMGM, MGM Resorts’ online gaming and sports betting platform.
Under Hornbuckle’s leadership, BetMGM secured official betting partnerships with multiple NFL franchises, including the Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Baltimore Ravens. The platform then expanded into other major professional sports leagues, partnering with the Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Washington Nationals (MLB), and Philadelphia 76ers (NBA).
Career Highlights
Throughout his career, Bill Hornbuckle has achieved several significant milestones that have shaped both MGM Resorts International and the broader gaming industry. From launching iconic Las Vegas resorts to leading the company through periods of economic uncertainty and digital transformation, the following highlights showcase the key moments in his professional journey.
- Bill Hornbuckle began his career in Las Vegas as a busboy and room service attendant at the Jockey Club, learning the hospitality industry from the ground up before rising through management ranks.
- He progressed to become an assistant hotel manager at the Flamingo Hilton, gaining early experience at one of Las Vegas’s most storied casino hotel properties.
- Hornbuckle spent 15 years at Wynn Resorts, where he played a key role in opening the Mirage alongside Steve Wynn in 1989 — a property widely credited with launching the modern era of Las Vegas mega-resorts.
- In 1997, he became President of Caesars Palace, cementing his reputation as a top-tier executive capable of leading high-profile casino resort operations.
- Hornbuckle joined MGM Resorts International in 1998, where he has remained ever since, steadily rising through the ranks to become one of the most influential figures in the global gaming industry.
- During the Great Recession, he took on the role of Chief Marketing Officer, helping reposition MGM Resorts in a difficult economic climate, before being appointed President in 2012.
- He became Chief Operating Officer in 2019 and was selected as Acting CEO in March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, officially assuming the CEO and President title in July 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bill Hornbuckle
Who is Bill Hornbuckle?
Bill Hornbuckle is the Chief Executive Officer and President of MGM Resorts International. He has over 40 years of experience in the Las Vegas hospitality and casino industry and has held senior leadership roles at major gaming companies including Wynn Resorts and Caesars Palace.
When did Bill Hornbuckle become CEO of MGM Resorts International?
Hornbuckle was appointed Acting CEO of MGM Resorts International in March 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was officially named CEO and President on July 29, 2020.
What is Bill Hornbuckle’s educational background?
Bill Hornbuckle holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), one of the leading hospitality management programs in the United States.
What is BetMGM and what role did Bill Hornbuckle play in its development?
BetMGM is MGM Resorts International’s online sports betting and gaming platform. Bill Hornbuckle was a key figure in its creation and growth, helping secure official partnerships with multiple NFL, NHL, MLB, and NBA franchises.
How many properties does MGM Resorts International operate under Bill Hornbuckle’s leadership?
Under Hornbuckle’s tenure, MGM Resorts International has grown to operate 30 properties worldwide, including 19 regional resorts, compared to just 1.5 properties when he first joined the company in Las Vegas.
