On Monday (21), Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced the appointment of Mike Dreitzer as the next chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
Current Speaker Kirk Hendrick, who was appointed to a four-year term in 2023, announced he would step down in January. He said he would remain in office until the end of the Nevada legislative session, which ends on June 2.
Therefore, Mike Dreitzer takes over as a more public-facing regulator in the state. Nevada is the only state with two regulatory bodies, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) and the Nevada Gaming Commission. The commission has jurisdiction over the board, however, the chairman of the board oversees most of the day-to-day work.
Dreitzer will now finish Hendrick’s term until January 2027. After that period, he is eligible for reappointment to serve another full term.
Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said in a statement that he expressed his gratitude to the current president, Hendrick. “As he prepares to step down, I am exceptionally grateful to President Hendrick for his partnership and service to our state.”
“Under his leadership, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has eliminated bureaucratic hurdles and made tremendous progress in modernizing and innovating gaming in Nevada,” he said.
Dreitzer, who most recently served as CEO of slots provider Gaming Arts, said he is looking forward to “advancing the board’s essential mission by supporting its officers and staff to ensure the highest quality gaming regulation for our state.”
Many Regulatory Challenges Ahead for Nevada’s Gaming Market
In addition, Hendrick was tasked by the Governor, along with all state agencies, to conduct an internal review with the goal of updating current regulations.
Through a months-long process, the board under Hendrick was able to eliminate 16 state regulations. He also held several workshops on payment methods and was a driving force behind the 2024 passage of a regulatory amendment.
It allowed customers to use betting accounts for non-gaming purchases on licensed properties, a major step forward for the industry.
As for Dreitzer, an industry veteran, according to local reports, he will oversee Nevada gaming at a crucial time. For several years, the Las Vegas casino industry has been embroiled in a sprawling scandal involving money laundering and illegal gambling.
Under Hendrick’s tenure, the NGCB administered fines of $10.5 million and $8.5 million to Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) and MGM Resorts, respectively, for their roles in the scandal. Additionally, Scott Sibella, a former executive with ties to both entities, also had his gaming license revoked during Hendrick’s tenure.
The scandal was unearthed and prosecuted by federal authorities, which reflected poorly on state regulators. An employment discrimination lawsuit filed by a staff member last September also indicates some level of internal conflict.
Job rotation
In addition to facing negative scrutiny, the NGCB has seen a high amount of turnover for several years. Dreitzer will become the fifth president since January 2019, when Sandra Douglass Morgan replaced Becky Harris.
Morgan was replaced in November 2020 by Brin Gibson, who will then step down in November 2022. Brittnie Watkins briefly served as interim chairman before Hendrick, who is now handing the baton to Dreitzer. “Handing the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition,” Hendrick said in a statement.
“Mike and I have known each other for nearly 30 years, going back to our days in the Attorney General’s office. Mike is the perfect choice for Governor Lombardo based on Mike’s long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance and business,” he concluded.
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