Fontainebleau Las Vegas has become the latest casino on the Strip to scale back operations, laying off up to 60 dealers. The luxury resort s several others, including Resorts World, Venetian and six MGM properties, in cutting staff.
Strip casinos are generally reporting declining gaming revenues, increased competition and are restructuring as a result; the latest Nevada casino revenue report reflects this.
Dozens released
On May 27 2025, Fontainebleau Las Vegas parted ways with dozens of table game dealers. The split does not appear to have been amicable, with many of the former staff escorted off the premises by security.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas are yet to confirm the exact number of layoffs, but was quoted as saying “as many as 60” were released.
Backlash and legal threats
Fontainebleau Las Vegas is not the only Strip property to make recent cutbacks. But this particular incident appears to have been handled poorly, with significant social media backlash and on-site anger that required assistance from security staff.
In a process that’s been described as “abrupt”, “demoralizing” and “humiliating”, employees of the Table Games Department were called to a mandatory meeting, details of which had appeared on X.
Dealers were informed that most would be demoted to part-time status, with dozens permanently released.
The affected former employees are reportedly considering legal action, due to alleged discrimination, further intensifying the controversy.
Ongoing challenges and executive turnover at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which cost $3.7bn to build, only opened to the public in December 2023. But the property had already overseen a prior round of layoffs in November 2024.
A number of challenges are behind the Fontainebleau cuts, including high executive staff turnover.
Investigation and competition
No fewer than four senior departures occurred within the first month of opening, including COO Colleen Birch, and Senior Vice President of Casino Operations Michael Clifford.
A money-laundering investigation – as reported by The Nevada Independant – which is thought to be costing the company tens of millions, also got underway in May of this year. This is reportedly assessing the way in which Fontainebleau issues credit to its players.
However, long before news of the investigation broke, the property was struggling with visitor numbers.
Strong competition from high-end properties like the Venetian and the Wynn, at what is already the quiet end of the Strip, is thought to be responsible for the disappointing figures.
Industry pressure and declining profits
It’s not just Fontainebleau Las Vegas that’s underperforming, however. While most Nevada casinos are seeing revenue increases Year-on-Year, profit figures are trending sharply downwards over the past couple of years.
In 2024, Las Vegas Strip casinos saw total revenues rise by 6.8%, yet overall profits fell 40.4%. It was a similar story in 2023, as revenues increased 11.6% on 2022, but profits dipped by 33.6%.
More alarmingly, total Las Vegas Strip total gaming revenue has declined for three straight months early in 2025. This means, that despite the venues making money – it isn’t coming from gaming.
The figures reflect the resort making money through the likes of hotel rooms, food and beverages and entertainment, but the number of people who are gaming at the resorts are decreasing every month.
These figures also highlight the impact of rising operational costs across the board, which are undoubtedly putting all Strip resorts under intense pressure.
Official response from Fontainebleau Las Vegas
In a statement provided to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Fontainebleau Las Vegas said:
“We continue to evaluate our business needs and adjust our hiring strategy accordingly.
“It is a customary practice in every industry and Fontainebleau Las Vegas continues to have a positive impact in the approximate 6,250 current it employs as well as the multiple vendors and partners associated with the resort.”
