Hard Rock names Wall Street veteran as new CFO

Seminole Gaming-owned? Hard Rock has named former Pinnacle and Wynn Resorts executive Vincent Zahn as the new executive VP and chief financial officer for Hard Rock International.

A former Wall Street financial analyst, Zahn began his career analysing casino gaming and hospitality stocks at Bank of America Merill Lynch, spending five years with the US financial heavyweight.

A veteran of the gaming industry finance side of the business, Zahn’s experience includes corporate finance, risk management, capital markets, and strategic development.

Following his tenure on Wall Street, Zahn worked as the VP and treasurer of Pinnacle Entertainment for seven years. 

In his most recent role, Zahn served as senior VP and treasurer of Wynn Resorts from 2019 to 2022.

Zahn’s new role will see him become responsible for the oversight of accounting, financial planning, and analysis at Hard Rock International and its subsidiaries, as well as contributing to the overall strategic development efforts of the company.

Zahn will report directly to Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming. Allen welcomed his newest colleague, citing the breadth of his experience as a value add.

“Vincent’s expertize and background in casino gaming and financial markets make him an invaluable asset to the global growth of our organization,” Allen said.

“We are excited to welcome him to the leadership team,” the Hard Rock International chairman added.

Zahn’s appointment comes amid speculation concerning the fate of the Hard Rock Digital sportsbook in Florida, following the Seminole’s victory on appeal in its long-running dispute with two local parimutuel operators.

Last month, the three-judge US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit sided with the Seminole Tribe and the Department of the Interior, unanimously contending that the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) does not prevent the Seminole tribe from accepting bets remotely.

Examining this ruling, Regulus Partners questioned presiding Judge Robert Wilkins’ lack of definitive ruling on the issue of bets placed on non-tribal and tribal lands, suggesting this lack of legal clarity could pave the way for the case to be revisited at a Federal level.

“Judge Wilkins was no doubt prudent to swerve the biggest question posed by the Seminole Compact,” Regulus Partners wrote.

“If wagering only takes place where the server is, then US states have effectively lost control of online gaming now that the Wire Act no longer applies while tribes potentially still have a problem with sports betting.

“Conversely, if wagering is recognized to take place where the customer is, then large swathes of the existing US legal framework for online gambling are rendered questionable.

“Wilkins’ judgment was not that big a deal in our view, but it might prelude a truly seismic one,” Regulus concluded.