Golden Nugget Owner Tilman Fertitta to Resign If Appointed U.S. Ambassador to Italy

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ – Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire owner of Golden Nugget Atlantic City, has announced that he will resign as CEO of Fertitta Entertainment LLC if confirmed by the U.S. Senate for the position of U.S. Ambassador to Italy and San Marino. In a letter to the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Fertitta confirmed he would step down from his role at the company, which owns Landry’s Inc., to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. Fertitta, who purchased the former Trump Marina casino in 2011 and renamed it Golden Nugget, also owns the NBA’s Houston Rockets, but will retain ownership of the team. In his letter, Fertitta acknowledged that his involvement in companies with ties to Italy or San Marino could lead to conflicts of interest, particularly as they may seek assistance from the U.S. embassy. Golden Nugget, a top performer in Atlantic City, earned $836 million last year through various gambling operations, though it ranked near the bottom for in-person gaming revenue. The decision to appoint a new leader at the company will require approval from New Jersey gambling regulators.