Resorts World Sentosa’s Andrew MacDonald banned from Marina Bay Sands

Jenny Ortiz August 19, 2024

Andrew MacDonald, the Chief Casino Officer of Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), has been banned from entering Marina Bay Sands (MBS), his former employer. In a post on his social media account, MacDonald shared the Persona Non-Grata (PNG) notice issued on July 31, 2024.

According to the notice, MacDonald is “prohibited from entering or remaining on any part of Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort premises, including but not limited to the Hotel, Mall, Convention Center and Casino.” The notice also said that the ban will stay in effect until further notice, with potential legal consequences if MacDonald attempts to access the property.

In a message to SiGMA News, MacDonald said he will no longer do interviews on this topic. Earlier media reports quoted MacDonald denying any wrongdoing, stating that his visits to MBS were purely social. He revealed that he had been in the company of a close friend, former Crown Melbourne executive Mike Sugrue, and claimed that all interactions with MBS staff and players were coincidental. MacDonald acknowledged speaking with two “high-value” players but insisted that these encounters were not premeditated.

Concerns of poaching alleged by MBS

Reports also suggest that MBS issued the PNG notice due to concerns that MacDonald was attempting to poach MBS customers and staff during a series of visits to the property in July. Having worked at MBS for nearly 12 years as Corporate Senior Vice President and Chief Casino Officer before leaving in 2021, MacDonald took on the role of Chief Casino Officer at Resorts World Sentosa around a year later.

An unusual move in Singapore’s casino sector

While MBS has refrained from publicly discussing the specific reasons for the notice, a spokesperson was quoted saying that the decision was not made lightly and followed thorough internal protocols.