Robert Goldstein

As the CEO & Chairman of Las Vegas Sands, Robert Goldstein is one of the most enduring leaders in Las Vegas history, shaping the company’s strategic direction for more than three decades. From his early days helping to develop The Venetian to steering Sands through market evolutions, Robert’s career has had longevity and a transformational impact across Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore.

Major Achievements

Robert played a pivotal role in developing The Venetian, Sands Bethlehem, and Las Vegas Sands’ Asian operations. In 2004, Robert led the landmark $1.5 billion sale of The Venetian and The Palazzo’s retail assets, which helped shape the future of the Las Vegas Strip. 

He also led the construction and development of Sands Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, which opened in 2009 and was sold in 2019 for $1.3 billion.

As CEO, Robert guided Sands through significant transitions, including the sale of The Venetian property for $6.25 billion, a strategic move to focus on markets in Macau and Singapore. He has shaped Las Vegas Sands as a global powerhouse over more than 30 years.

Awards & Career Highlights

Robert Goldstein has simply had too many awards and career highlights to mention on a single webpage. Nevertheless, we thought we’d give it a try, so we’ve narrowed it down to two.

• Named Philanthropist of the Year 2015 due to active involvement in several Las Vegas charities, including Opportunity Village and the Adelson Clinic.
• Driving force behind the creation of the Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas.

Career Highlights

After completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh and earning his law degree from Temple University’s School of Law, Robert entered the business world armed with a blend of legal insight and strong commercial acumen. 

Before becoming one of Las Vegas’s most prominent gambling executives, Robert also gained experience in investment banking, including a 14-year association with UBS, which helped shape his strategic and financial perspective.

Robert joined Las Vegas Sands in 1995, ahead of the opening of The Venetian Las Vegas. In those early years, he played a pivotal role in the property’s development, building its gaming business and hospitality footprint and leading the creation of the Grand Canal Shoppes retail mall. This venture transformed The Venetian’s Las Vegas development, turning it into one of the most iconic properties on the Vegas Strip.

In 1999, Robert Goldstein was named President and COO of The Venetian and The Palazzo, roles he would hold until 2010. During this era, he was instrumental in developing the casinos’ cultural and entertainment offerings, pioneering additions such as Broadway shows and the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum.

Robert’s impact on The Venetian and LVS sparked interest and attention from the lucrative Asian market, which led to the opening of Sands Macau in 2004. This marked the beginning of a series of developments in Asia, where LVS is seeking to expand its integrated resorts in Macau and Singapore. 

In 2014, Robert became President and Chief Operating Officer of Las Vegas Sands, overseeing global gaming operations and working closely with founder Sheldon Adelson, becoming Chairman and CEO in 2021 following Adelson’s passing. 

Robert Goldstein’s Las Vegas Sands journey will end when he steps down as CEO and Chairman in March 2026. He will transition into a Senior Advisor role supporting the company’s government relations, physical development strategy, and gaming initiatives. This will effectively ensure strategic continuity while new leadership steps in. 

Robert’s tenure at LVS significantly contributed to the company’s expansion into the world’s most dynamic gaming markets. He’s widely credited with helping redefine the Las Vegas Strip, driving growth in hospitality, retail, and entertainment. As Las Vegas Sands’ CEO, Robert’s strategic vision left an indelible mark on the broader gaming industry, blending operational excellence with development foresight across multiple continents.

In Their Own Words

Talking about his time working with Sheldon Adelson and the opening of the Venetian:

In the beginning, we were counted out more times than I can count. All these years later, it is clear that the opening of The Venetian was a turning point in the history of the Las Vegas Strip. Sheldon was widely criticised at the time, but his vision and the work we started together 30 years ago have more than stood the test of time.

Robert Goldstein

Frequently Asked Questions