People news: del Lago Resort & Casino names assistant GM

TYRE, N.Y. — The upcoming del Lago Resort & Casino has hired Juris Basens as senior VP and assistant general manager.

The casino resort, which will be located in the Seneca County town of Tyre, describes Basens as a “long-time industry veteran,” having started as a card dealer in 1978 with Resorts International in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Basens joined Rochester–based Wilmorite, Inc., the company that owns del Lago Resort & Casino, as VP of gaming operations in 2003, the company said in a news release issued Wednesday.

The Victor resident has been responsible for overseeing and directing all casino operations, which included staffing, budgeting, capital planning, operating policies, marketing, and local, state and federal-regulatory compliance.

“Few people have the depth and breadth of experience that Juris has … his perspective will be an incredible asset in bringing the vision of del Lago to life,” said Jeff Babinski, who was recently hired as senior VP and general manager of del Lago. “With nearly four decades in the gaming industry, he has the knowledge and insight of all aspects of the business and knows what it takes to run a successful resort and casino.”

Besides his role as a card dealer with Resorts International, Basens also worked as casino supervisor, pit boss, shift manager, and casino liaison to information technology.

From there, he managed casino properties in Nassau, Bahamas; Iowa; Illinois; Mississippi; and Louisiana, according to Wilmorite.

The company hopes to open del Lago Resort & Casino early next year.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com