LAS VEGAS (AP) – Wynn Resorts Ltd. said Friday that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly to remove Kazuo Okada from its board.

The casino operator said Thursday that Okada had resigned from its board, potentially ending a long-running dispute between CEO Steve Wynn and the Japanese billionaire.

Wynn Resorts shareholders were also being asked to vote on a proposal to remove him from the board. The company said more than 86 million shares voted and the proposal was approved by 99.6 percent of the shares voting at the special meeting. At the time of Okada’s resignation Thursday, virtually all of these stockholder votes had already been cast.

The company’s board will be reduced to eight directors.

Okada was once the largest shareholder in Wynn Resorts, but the company forcibly bought back his stake. The casino operator alleges Okada acted improperly in dealings with Philippine officials. Okada says Steve Wynn seeks to push him out and increase his own control of the company.

The two men have traded accusations of unethical or illegal conduct during an extended legal battle between one-time friends that has become increasingly personal and public.

Shares of Wynn Resorts gained $1.97 to $117.50 in midday trading.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.