Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo Monday (21 April) introduced the appointment of Mike Dreitzer as the subsequent chairman of the Nevada Gaming Management Board (NGCB).
Present Chairman Kirk Hendrick, appointed to a four-year time period in 2023, introduced in January his intention to resign. Hendrick stated on the time he would keep by means of the tip of Nevada’s legislative session, which ends 2 June. His final day, per the governor’s workplace, can be 22 June.
Mike Dreitzer will take the reins afterward as essentially the most public-facing regulator within the state. Nevada is exclusive in that it has two regulatory our bodies, the NGCB and the Nevada Gaming Fee. The part-time fee has jurisdiction over the full-time board, however the board chair leads a lot of the day-to-day legwork.
Dreitzer will now end out Hendrick’s time period by means of January 2027, at which level he might be reappointed to serve a full time period.
“As he prepares to step down, I’m exceptionally grateful to Chairman Hendrick for his partnership and repair to our state,” Lombardo stated in a press release. “Beneath his management, the Nevada Gaming Management Board has eradicated bureaucratic hurdles and made great progress in gaming modernization and innovation in Nevada.”
Dreitzer, who most lately served as CEO of slot provider Gaming Arts, stated he seems to be ahead “to furthering the important mission of the Board, whereas supporting its brokers and workers to make sure the best high quality gaming regulation for our state”.
Many regulatory challenges forward
Lombardo’s reward of Hendrick maybe greatest describes his time period with the NGCB. Hendrick was instantly tasked by the governor, as all state companies have been, with conducting an inside evaluate to get rid of outdated or duplicative laws.
By a multi-month course of, the board below Hendrick was in a position to get rid of 16 state laws. He additionally held a number of workshops on the subject of cashless funds and was a driving power behind 2024 approval of a regulatory amendment that allowed patrons to make use of wagering accounts for non-gaming purchases at licenced properties, a giant step ahead for the sector.
As for Dreitzer, the trade veteran will oversee Nevada gaming at a pivotal time. For a number of years, the Las Vegas on line casino trade has been swept up in a wide-ranging scandal involving cash laundering and unlawful bookmaking.
Beneath Hendrick, the NGCB administered fines of $10.5 million and $8.5 million to Resorts World Las Vegas (RWLV) and MGM Resorts, respectively, for his or her roles within the scandal. The NGC approved the RWLV fine in March and can take into account the MGM positive at its assembly 24 April. Scott Sibella, a former govt with ties to each entities, additionally had his gaming licence revoked throughout Hendrick’s tenure.
The scandal was unearthed and prosecuted by federal authorities, which has mirrored poorly on state regulators. An employment discrimination lawsuit filed by a staff member final September additionally signifies a degree of inside strife. Gradual processes and conservative approvals had additionally triggered a lot frustration from operators and suppliers, although Hendrick had labored to vary that.
Turnover on the high
Along with dealing with detrimental scrutiny, the NGCB has seen a excessive quantity of turnover for a number of years.
Dreitzer will change into the fifth chair since January 2019, when Sandra Douglass Morgan took over for Becky Harris. Morgan was changed in November 2020 by Brin Gibson, who then stepped down in November 2022. Brittnie Watkins briefly served as interim chair earlier than Hendrick, who now arms the baton to Dreitzer.
The latter has expertise throughout each business gaming and state authorities. Previous to Gaming Arts, Dreitzer additionally held govt roles at Ainsworth, BMM Testlabs and others. Earlier than all of that, he labored as a deputy legal professional basic for the state from 1996-1999. Dreitzer will now look to attract from each of these experiences in policing Nevada gaming, which is coming off of 4 consecutive record-setting years of efficiency post-Covid.
“Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer can be a easy transition,” Hendrick stated in a press release. “Mike and I’ve recognized one another for nearly 30 years going again to our days within the Legal professional Common’s Workplace. Mike is the right alternative by Governor Lombardo primarily based on Mike’s lengthy profession in gaming regulation, authorities, regulatory compliance and enterprise.”
