Gaming executive Felix Rappaport came to Las Vegas from Philadelphia in 1991 to become vice president of hotel operations at The Mirage, which at the time was one of the largest hotel-casinos on the Strip, with 3,000 rooms and suites.
The largest hotel Rappaport managed in Philadelphia had 500 rooms.
“I remember vividly thinking to myself, ‘How the heck do we provide a high level of service for 3,000 rooms?’” Rappaport said in a 2011 interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “It’s through good organization and good preparation. Whatever number we set as a forecast in the hotel division, happily, we usually exceeded it and blew by it.”
Rappaport, 65, who died suddenly Monday in Connecticut, where he had been president and CEO of Foxwoods Resort Casino since 2014, went on to operate eight hotel-casinos in Las Vegas during his career.
At Foxwoods, Rappaport led the property to diversify from its strict focus on gaming in order to attract a broader cross-section of visitors as casino competition began to grow in the Northeast. One addition was Foxwoods Extreme Adventures, including the “HighFlyer” zipline, Thrill Tower and On Track Karting, which is expected to open soon.
Rappaport died at Foxwoods in the suite he lived in while he was in Connecticut, Foxwoods officials said. He also had a home in Las Vegas.
A cause of death has not been determined.
“With his passing, we have suffered a major loss,” said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Council, which operates Foxwoods. “Felix’s passion for modernizing and growing Foxwoods, as well as his friendship, mentorship and humor touched everyone who worked with him. We are confident that Felix’s legacy will live on as we continue to push forward on the vision he set.”
Rappaport’s passing was felt in Las Vegas, where he was president of The Mirage, New York-New York, Luxor and Excalibur on behalf of MGM Resorts International.
“We are saddened by the news of the passing of our former colleague and friend,” said MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren. “Felix was a member of the MGM Resorts family for more than two decades and is remembered fondly by many. Our condolences and prayers go out to his family at this difficult time.”
He oversaw New York-New York for five years, introducing Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity, Nine Fine Irishmen, Coyote Ugly and ESPN Zone to the property.
“This is a sad day for those of us who knew Felix Rappaport and remember his unwavering commitment to MGM Resorts employees,” said current New York-New York president Cynthia Kiser Murphy. “His larger than life personality and sense of humor will be part of his legacy here at New York-New York. Our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family at this difficult time.”
At Foxwoods, Rappaport was instrumental in adding new dining outlets, including Guy Fieri’s Foxwoods Kitchen + Bar, and Sugar Factory.
Rappaport also led the introduction of PLAY Arena @ Foxwoods, which allows gamblers to play their favorite games from a single play station.
In a statement, the tribal council said it will “consider how to best resume Rappaport’s strategic plan for growth in the days ahead with a continued focus on the property’s long-term vision.”
Rappaport was Foxwoods Resort Casino’s senior vice president and chief operating officer when he was promoted to president.
Rappaport also worked for Station Casinos in Las Vegas, operating the off-Strip Boulder Station for a few years. He said in the 2011 interview the move offered him the opportunity to manage an entire property, and not just the hotel.
“I learned about slot and table games management, casino marketing, advertising, compliance, casino-cage management and financial issues. It was a great training ground,” Rappaport said.
His career spanned four decades in the casino industry. Prior to joining MGM Resorts, he was president and general manager for the Radisson Suite Hotel in Philadelphia; and director of personnel, and subsequently assistant general manager and general manager for Hershey Entertainment & Resort Company. He launched his hospitality career at Sands Casino Hotel in Atlantic City in 1980.
In Las Vegas, Rappaport was affiliated with many industry and charitable programs and was on the board of the Culinary Training Academy.
The Hartford Courant contributed to this article.
Howard Stutz is the executive editor of CDC Gaming Reports. He can be reached at hstutz@cdcgamingreports.com. Follow @howardstutz on Twitter.
