Jess Chavez: Executive Leadership in the Global Gaming Industry

With over 30 years of executive experience, Jess Chavez has established himself as a seasoned leader in the international gaming sector.

Jess began his career in 1985 in the UK, immersing himself in the VIP casino market at London’s prestigious The Clermont Club. With a rich history spanning over two centuries, the club provided Jess invaluable insights into high-end VIP engagement and casino operations.

After his time in the UK, Jess took his expertise to South Africa, where he joined Sol Kerzner’s Sun City. During this period, he developed a strong work ethic and customer service ethos, playing a pivotal role in the successful openings of Morula Sun and the flagship property for Sun International, Carousel Sun.

Recognizing opportunities in Latin America, Jess moved to Peru in 1992, where he launched El Condado, the country’s third casino. Under his leadership, El Condado quickly became the market leader, setting a new benchmark for competitors.

Jess’s international career continued to thrive as he ventured into Russia, managing Casino Imperial in St Petersberg and Ekaterinburg, achieving market dominance. In 1999, he further expanded his footprint by opening a new venture in Vyborg, strategically located on the Russian-Finnish border.

In 2001, Jess shifted focus to maritime gaming, managing a cruise ship casino with Spanish Cruise Lines. This experience provided him with a unique perspective on operational economics, equipping him with the tools to restructure future casino projects for greater efficiency.

Returning to the UK, Jess took a leadership role with RANK, the country’s largest casino operator. His innovative approach to slot machine trials helped make RANK’s casino operations the number one revenue generator among a portfolio of 54 casinos.

In 2006, Jess became the Casino Director at Crown Plaza in Maracaibo, Venezuela, the country’s largest casino. He faced significant operational challenges, including security threats and internal theft. By recruiting top-tier surveillance and security experts, Jess successfully turned the casino around within six months.

In 2011, Jess moved to Puerto Rico to lead as Casino Director at the Intercontinental San Juan, where he implemented a successful VIP strategy. His success led to a senior executive position at Hard Rock Casino in Punta Cana in 2012. There, Jess transformed the international VIP market, increasing EBITDA by 103% year over year, and was promoted to Senior Director of Casino Development for LATAM and the Caribbean. However, with Hard Rock refocusing on the US market in 2017, Jess pivoted to new opportunities with his new game 123Roulette.

Currently, Jess serves as the CEO of Maximum Game International. After the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has redefined the company’s strategy, securing trademarks and web domains for his latest venture, SPORTSINO TM. Jess is using his extensive brand development experience to reshape the industry and is also creating cutting-edge casino games tailored for both live and online platforms. His current focus is on the development of multi-casino projects aimed at establishing market leadership.