Anthony Rodio

Caesars Entertainment Corp. is preparing to name Anthony Rodio as its next chief executive and say it will evaluate takeover interest in the casino operator, people familiar with the matter said. Mr. Rodio currently serves as CEO of privately held Affinity Gaming. He will also take departing Chief Executive Mark Frissora’s seat on board. Rodio oversaw Icahn’s seven-casino company that was sold last year to regional casino operator Eldorado Resorts and real estate investment trust Gaming and Leisure Properties for $1.8 billion. He spent more than three decades in Atlantic City, helping to lead the Boardwalk gaming community’s growth and a subsequent resurgence after new competition sent the market into a prolonged nosedive. Carl Icahn, the 83-year-old corporate raider, controls close to 20 percent of Caesars through stock acquisitions he completed between December and March. Icahn is pushing for the sale of Caesars or wants to merge the company with another casino operator. Rodio has gaming industry experience in regional markets. He served as president and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment – and a member of the company’s board – since 2011. Rodio, who also served in various roles with Hollywood Casino Corp. and Harrah’s Entertainment, oversaw improvements in Tropicana Entertainment where revenue grew more that 50 percent. He also oversaw the company’s regional market expansion outside Atlantic City. Mr. Rodio started his gaming career in 1980 as an accounting clerk and transitioned into the management ranks, holding a succession of executive positions for casino brands including Harrah's Entertainment, Trump Marina Hotel Casino, the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort and Penn Gaming. Directly before joining the Affinity team, Mr. Rodio served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. for over 7 years. He has also served on the boards of professional and charitable organizations including Atlantic City Alliance, United Way of Atlantic County, the Casino Associations of New Jersey and Indiana, AlantiCare Charitable Foundation, and the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality & Tourism. Mr. Rodio holds a Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University and a Bachelor of Science from Rider University. Las Vegas-based Affinity is controlled by Illinois-based Z Capital Partners. The currently operates 11 casinos in Nevada, Colorado, Missouri and Iowa.