- Michigan State University
1980-1984
MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
Chaszar is a distinguished casino and hospitality professional with a wealth of experience spanning over three decades.
Throughout his career, Chaszar has held pivotal roles at leading establishments such as Quorum Hotels & Resorts, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge, Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa Riverside and Tropicana Evansville.
Among his major achievements, John has overseen operations generating over $160m in revenues, led the negotiation of a $20m economic development package and spearheaded a $50m land-based casino development project.
In each of his roles, Chaszar’s leadership has consistently driven growth and enhanced guest experiences.
EMPLOYMENT
Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Michigan State University, Chaszar laid a foundation that led him into the world of casino management and hospitality.
Chaszar’s career began at Quorum Hotels & Resorts, where he served as General Manager from December 1987 to September 2001.
In December 2001, he then joined Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast as the Senior Director of Resort Operations.
Over the next five years, Chaszar climbed the ranks to become Assistant General Manager in September 2006, and then General Manager in August 2007.
As General Manager, Chaszar was responsible for overseeing the operations of 1,200 slots, 26 table games, five food and beverage outlets, a hotel, a spa and an Arnold Palmer Golf Course.
Under his leadership, the property generated over $100m in revenues and improved EBITDA by 22%.
Additionally, Chaszar played a crucial role in the property's redevelopment following its destruction by Hurricane Katrina.
Chaszar’s next venture led him to Hollywood Casino Baton Rouge in May 2010 where he served as General Manager.
During his tenure, he successfully transitioned the nightclub into the 70s-themed “Boogie Nights” concept and boosted employee engagement scores from the bottom third to the top third within the company in less than a year.
In total, the property generated over $125m in revenues with a 40%+ margin under his guidance.
In August 2011, Chaszar took on the role of Vice President and General Manager at Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa Riverside. Here, he was instrumental in right-sizing the operation following the opening of a nearby sister property as well as maintaining a focus on regulatory compliance.
Chaszar’s next move saw him joining Tropicana Evansville in July 2015 as Senior Vice President and General Manager. In total, he spent six years at Tropicana Casino, during which time he led the successful negotiation of a $20m economic development package and provided detailed analysis that led to the approval and execution of a $50m land-based casino development project.
Ultimately, it was announced in May 2024 that Chaszar had been appointed as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Live! Casino and Hotel Louisiana.
Regarding Chaszar’s appointment to this position, Rob Norton, President of Cordish Gaming Group, commented: “As the Cordish Companies continues to expand, we are focused on building a team that can deliver the high standards of quality and excellence that have become synonymous with the Live! brand nationwide.
“We are confident that under John’s leadership, the new Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana will become a premier destination offering first-class hospitality and entertainment, exceptional customer service and generating millions of dollars in economic benefits for the Bossier City community for years to come.”
