The owner of Star casino, Echo Entertainment, has appointed a former US gaming chief to its top job as it fights against James Packer's Sydney gambling ambitions.
John Redmond is the former chief executive of American gaming giant MGM Grand.
He will take up his new twin roles of chief executive and managing director of Echo in January.
Mr Redmond is currently a non-executive director at Echo.
The change of management comes as Mr Packer ramps up his push for a second casino licence in Sydney to rival the Star.
Mr Redmond's duties will also include repairing relations between Echo and the New South Wales Government.
