Sal Semola began his career in the hospitality/gaming industry over 40 years ago as a dishwasher. For over 25 years, he has held executive-level positions in the operations and development of several major gaming/resort projects. He has a broad range of experience and exposure to all consumer gaming market groups. Sal has opened four properties and has invested over $2 billion in development projects.

Before joining Michigan’s  Gun Lake Casino as CEO to take over operations when the management contract expired, Sal founded Cornerstone Gaming Management and was President of Foxwoods Catskills Resort in New York. He also contributed to creating a master plan to re-purpose the Foxwoods Resort in Connecticut.

Sal was Executive Vice President for Warner Hospitality, a casino management and consulting company, for over five years. He focused on operational assessments of distressed gaming assets, due diligence for acquisitions, and all aspects of development projects. In addition, he was accountable for providing strategic support for increasing revenues and operational efficiencies of multiple properties under management contracts.

Sal served as vice president and general manager of the Rampart Casino Resort and as an executive with Cannery Casino Resorts. After emerging from bankruptcy under prior management, he contributed to a successful operational turnaround at this property. He later served as Vice President and General Manager of the Eastside Cannery Casino and Hotel, a ground-up property built by Cannery Casino Resorts.

Sal was the Chief Operating Officer for Greektown Casino, working for Millennium Management, the predecessor of Cannery Casino Resorts. He was a key opening team member at Greektown and directed the property’s strategic development and business plan. This property is the first Native American commercial casino in the United States.

He has received the Eastern Division of the Casino Management Association “Gaming Professional of the Year” award and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration “Industry Executive of the Year” award.

He graduated from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the College of Southern Nevada, served as an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and graduated from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business Executive Education Program.

Gun Lake Casino, a premier gaming and entertainment destination, is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The casino features a variety of thrilling gaming options, including 2,300 state-of-the-art slot machines, 47 table games, a modern sportsbook, and keno. Gun Lake Casino is comprised of high-quality dining amenities, including Shkodé Chophouse with a contemporary take on American cuisine, CBK inspired by the brewery culture in Michigan, 131 Sportsbar & Lounge with over 1,000 square feet of viewing surface for panoramic views of live events, and Harvest Buffet featuring fresh ingredients, cooked to order. The Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi owns Gun Lake Casino.

We proudly add Sal to the Bentley Price Associates’ “Best of The Best” list.

DENNIS P. RIZZO
President & CEO
Bentley Price Associates, Inc.