Clifford T. Casinader
Chief Executive Officer
Engaging in vivid interaction with the CEO Insights, Clifford shares the nuances of his journey as one of the leading industry stalwarts of the Sri Lankan gaming industry.
Tell us about the journey so far at Bellagio Colombo. What are the major challenges faced by you in your professional journey so far and how did overcome those to evolve as a business leader?
I joined my current organization, Bellagio Limited as a manager since its inception in 1998, and in 2002, I was appointed as the General Manager. In 2013, I was appointed CEO of Bellagio Limited and was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Bellagio Limited and Ballys Limited.
I've been quite passionate about stream lining industry processes and grooming staff, but one of the biggest challenges I faced early in my career was that the gaming industry in Sri Lanka was nascent. I've been very fortunate to have a brilliant boss and a very supportive management team. With their support and guidance, I was able to transform the country's gaming
industry into a high end service oriented offering in the night life and entertainment space. For instance, Bellagio Limited was the first to curate customizable, experiential packages which included a tourism component allowing gaming aficionados to enjoy a well rounded holiday experience in Sri Lanka while creating opportunities for the local tourism industry to tap into a new customer segment.
What different roles have you been under taking at Bellagio Colombo?
I strongly believe in the power of training and grooming your team with discipline to achieve results and this is something I have focused on throughout my career.Communication is crucial as a team, it allows us to problem solve effectively and be on the same page, thereby reaching our goals efficiently and effectively. I also have very supportive management and Board of Directors who work together to sustain and grow the organization.
Kindly throw some light on these services and facilities offered by Bellagio Colombo. What amongst these would you regard as your flagship offering?
Apart from our gaming services, we provide one-to-one customer service from arrival to departure through all our customer touch points. We focus on providing a truly positive, memorable experience for our clients via well-trained customer relations teams. Additionally, we provide 5-star accommodation, food and beverage, access to premium brands and personal hosts to our VVIP customers. We have also recently completed some renovations and upgraded our interior to provide a soothing ambiance to our guests. Our flagship offering is the personalized service we offer to our clients and the exceptional quality of their experience with Bellagio.
As a CEO of Bellagio Colombo, what are the strategies/methods you put forward to align your organization with your vision and mission? How do you generate great value to your organization?
From the gaming and entertainment perspective, it is vital to build and grow an organization in such a way that it ensures a continued relationship with your client base. Our success is based on the
As a leader, my objective is to lead by example, and ensure that my team is driven to reach our collective goals as an organization
What different roles have you been under taking at Bellagio Colombo?
I strongly believe in the power of training and grooming your team with discipline to achieve results and this is something I have focused on throughout my career.Communication is crucial as a team, it allows us to problem solve effectively and be on the same page, thereby reaching our goals efficiently and effectively. I also have very supportive management and Board of Directors who work together to sustain and grow the organization.
Kindly throw some light on these services and facilities offered by Bellagio Colombo. What amongst these would you regard as your flagship offering?
Apart from our gaming services, we provide one-to-one customer service from arrival to departure through all our customer touch points. We focus on providing a truly positive, memorable experience for our clients via well-trained customer relations teams. Additionally, we provide 5-star accommodation, food and beverage, access to premium brands and personal hosts to our VVIP customers. We have also recently completed some renovations and upgraded our interior to provide a soothing ambiance to our guests. Our flagship offering is the personalized service we offer to our clients and the exceptional quality of their experience with Bellagio.
As a CEO of Bellagio Colombo, what are the strategies/methods you put forward to align your organization with your vision and mission? How do you generate great value to your organization?
From the gaming and entertainment perspective, it is vital to build and grow an organization in such a way that it ensures a continued relationship with your client base. Our success is based on the
customer value we provide as a brand and the strength of our relationship with our clients, who choose us for their leisure activities. Secondly, in line with this, we need to have a strong track record of operational excellence. To put it simply, we need to walk the talk because a strong brand cannot stand on its own with out excellent execution.
What is the growth scope the Sri Lankan market and what are the steps you take to stay industry ready?
The gaming and entertainment industry is a fast paced and challenging environment. As a leader, my objective is to lead by example and ensure that my team is driven to reach our collective goals as an organization. In an industry like ours which is a vital component of tourism and hospitality, it is important to have the infrastructure and regulation support to grow the industry and further contribute to the economy. Since Sri Lanka is looking forward to develop through tourism, gaming and entertainment are key features of it. With Integrated Resorts ear marked in Sri Lanka (through projects like the port city) to boost the tourism & economy of the country, it also provides an excellent opportunity to grow as an organization. A few years ago, I spearheaded the company's successful establishment of online gaming which was another first and key growth sector for the gaming industry in Sri Lanka. As a team, we are always on the lookout for innovative methods and platforms to connect more effectively with our clients. With this support, we can then take the next step and grow the industryto the same level as international resort projects, thereby making Sri Lanka a top pick for tourism and leisure.
Clifford is a Director and the CEO of Bellagio Limited, Sri Lanka's premier gaming and entertainment offering. He oversees the company's local operations as well as its international collaborations. After getting his first taste of the gaming industry in 1986, Clifford spent his early career serving in a variety of roles with US-based entertainment group, Continental Resorts. Having joined Bellagio Colombo as a Manager since its inception in 1998, Clifford was a key leader on the opening team. From 2002, he served as the General Manager, where with the support of the management, he led the standards of excellence that can be seen in Sri Lanka's gaming industry today. From streamlining processes to establishing effective teams, he played a central role in standardizing the business of gaming in Sri Lanka.
What is the growth scope the Sri Lankan market and what are the steps you take to stay industry ready?
The gaming and entertainment industry is a fast paced and challenging environment. As a leader, my objective is to lead by example and ensure that my team is driven to reach our collective goals as an organization. In an industry like ours which is a vital component of tourism and hospitality, it is important to have the infrastructure and regulation support to grow the industry and further contribute to the economy. Since Sri Lanka is looking forward to develop through tourism, gaming and entertainment are key features of it. With Integrated Resorts ear marked in Sri Lanka (through projects like the port city) to boost the tourism & economy of the country, it also provides an excellent opportunity to grow as an organization. A few years ago, I spearheaded the company's successful establishment of online gaming which was another first and key growth sector for the gaming industry in Sri Lanka. As a team, we are always on the lookout for innovative methods and platforms to connect more effectively with our clients. With this support, we can then take the next step and grow the industryto the same level as international resort projects, thereby making Sri Lanka a top pick for tourism and leisure.
Clifford is a Director and the CEO of Bellagio Limited, Sri Lanka's premier gaming and entertainment offering. He oversees the company's local operations as well as its international collaborations. After getting his first taste of the gaming industry in 1986, Clifford spent his early career serving in a variety of roles with US-based entertainment group, Continental Resorts. Having joined Bellagio Colombo as a Manager since its inception in 1998, Clifford was a key leader on the opening team. From 2002, he served as the General Manager, where with the support of the management, he led the standards of excellence that can be seen in Sri Lanka's gaming industry today. From streamlining processes to establishing effective teams, he played a central role in standardizing the business of gaming in Sri Lanka.