From Las Vegas Review-Journal – As an associate with global management consulting firm Bain & Co., Geoffrey Stewart grew accustomed to offering advice to high-level executives of Fortune 500 corporations.
Now, as he prepares to lead Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s launch into regulated online gambling for money, Stewart is adjusting to being on the receiving end.
“I’m in a role where I have to act on my own advice,” Stewart, 34, said during a break in play in the World Series of Poker at the Rio. “The great thing about this role is that I’m surrounded by guys with a deep knowledge of poker and online poker.”
Stewart is the general manager of online poker for Caesars Interactive Entertainment, the casino giant’s subsidiary that oversees the company’s social gaming business and real money Internet gaming operations. Stewart will be in charge of the World Series of Poker-branded online poker operations in New Jersey and Nevada.
Gaming is a business he never imagined getting involved with when he joined Bain. He primarily advised companies involved in technology and consumer products.
Then, Stewart became part of the Bain team that consulted on a project for Caesars Entertainment. The activity led to a meeting with Caesars Chairman Gary Loveman and a position as the executive’s top associate and chief of staff.
During his two years with Loveman, Stewart was exposed to all areas of the company’s business, including casino operations and development. He was also able to interact with the casino operator’s top corporate executives.
The opportunity to oversee the Internet poker launch appealed to Stewart. “When you’re looking at gaming,” he said, “the expansion into online and the dynamic of the product is the most exciting thing currently happening in the industry.”
