An executive for the M Resort who has served as vice president of operations for Harrah’s Entertainment was named the new president and CEO of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino posted a loss of $26.5 million during the first quarter of 2010 as expenses increased at the newly expanded property.

Earnings more than doubled at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino during the first quarter, one of the property’s joint-venture partners reported today.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino said it narrowed its losses by about 34 percent last year, according to a filing today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The property trimmed its loss of $299 million in 2008 to $197 million in 2009.

The Clark County Coroner’s Office ruled that Las Vegas Hard Rock Hotel and Casino President Randy Kwasniewski died Tuesday of a single self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino saw higher revenue during the third quarter of 2009 with the addition of its Paradise hotel tower and an expanded concert venue, the property reported in a filing today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

State gaming regulators are expanding their investigation at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s Rehab pool after Metro Police arrested eight people Monday on drug and prostitution charges during an undercover operation.

As a 490-room tower opens at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino just east of the Las Vegas Strip this week, hotel operators citywide are struggling to fill existing rooms and staggering at the prospect of 10,000 more coming online this year and next.