Regulatory Reforms Put Nevada In Strong Position, Ex-Regulator Says

June 22, 2025
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Kirk Hendrick spent the last two-and-a-half years as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board overseeing the modernization of gaming regulations and resolving regulatory violations involving some of the industry’s largest operators.
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Kirk Hendrick spent the last two-and-a-half years as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), overseeing the modernization of gaming regulations and resolving regulatory violations involving some of the industry’s largest operators.

“Governor Joe Lombardo offered me an opportunity that came at an important time for the board,” said Hendrick, a former chief deputy attorney general and senior executive with Ultimate Fighting Championship. “That important time was to carry out our shared vision of streamlining government regulation.”

“My plan was to get as much done as quickly as possible,” he added. “I believe we held more public regulatory meetings than ever before in such a short period of time. All those efforts were designed to make the regulations more efficient than adding more regulations to the system.”

Hendrick announced his resignation in January, saying he would remain on the job until the 2025 Nevada legislative session ended in June. His last day was Friday.

“Two-and-a-half years as chair of the board actually puts me in the top half of the tenures of the 21 board chairs who have served over the past 70 years,” Hendrick told Vixio GamblingCompliance during an interview last week. “So, I’m extremely proud of what we accomplished.”

Mike Dreitzer, the former CEO of Gaming Arts, a privately held Las Vegas-based gaming equipment supplier, was named the new control board chairman by Lombardo. He formally assumes the position on Monday (June 23).

Hendrick’s departure comes as the control board and Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford continue their legal battle against prediction market operator Kalshi, arguing Kalshi's sports-event contracts are unlawful in Nevada unless the company becomes licensed to operate a sports pool.

Last month, a federal court judge in Nevada sided with Kalshi and granted its motion for a temporary restraining order against a cease-and-desist order issued by the NGCB, signaling that Kalshi had a strong argument that regulation by the federal government's Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) supersedes requirements under state gaming laws.

Hendrick told Vixio that since the case is currently involved in litigation, Nevada’s position will be presented in filings with the court.

“I think I would add that I have no doubt that the state of Nevada will do everything necessary to protect its rights as well as those rights of its citizens and visitors. Beyond that, I’ll let the court pleadings speak for themselves,” Hendrick said.

Streamlining Regulations

Within his first three months as chairman, the control board moved to eliminate a total of 16 outdated gaming regulations, which the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) also approved.

The elimination of the obsolete regulations complied with a legislative directive from Lombardo, a Republican, to reduce government bureaucracy. 

Among the myriad of amendments to state gaming regulations under Hendrick’s term were updates to cybersecurity reporting, eliminating the foreign gaming grandfather clause and streamlining game approvals.

Hendrick said the NGCB's decision to approve expanding the use of wagering accounts beyond the casino floor to non-gaming amenities could make a major impact on the casino-resort industry in Nevada.

Previously, wagering accounts were limited strictly to gambling transactions, but amendments finalized in December to Regulation 5.225 now allow casino patrons to use their accounts to pay for restaurants, hotel rooms and other amenities.

“It’s a big change and it’s a necessary change,” Hendrick told Vixio. “We’ve been talking about cashless gaming for a while, and this will really lead to the cashless option for your visit to Las Vegas.”

Hendrick said the conversations on how to implement the regulatory change are occurring on multiple fronts since there are so many different manufacturers that are trying to solve the various needs of gaming operators.

He added that since he is no longer with the board, he will not be able to guide those conversations any further.

”The initial feedback that we’ve received from the steps we’ve already taken has all been positive, and we know that there are manufacturers working on many new innovations and cashless wagering,” he said. “I just want to be sure the control board is in a position from a regulatory point of view to be able to act and be as ready for those new innovations as possible.”

Legislative Reforms

Hendrick also expressed his satisfaction with the recent passage of Senate Bill 459, which became effective on May 31 and removes the $500 minimum wager for slot machines in a private gaming salon located within a Nevada casino-resort.

The minimum amount now will be at the casino operator’s discretion and subject to NGCB approval. The bill also allows table games in private gaming salons, which are upscale areas designated for high-stakes gamblers.

“We started that conversation at a regulatory workshop back in December,” Hendrick said. “What you’re going to see soon is trying to provide the regulatory framework for updating how Nevada deals with gaming salons, including things like the high level of play, allowing poker in salons.”

“So, I think that’ll be a really important change,” he said.

Hendrick was asked if the passage of Assembly Bill 58, which allows for new slot machines and other casino games and devices to be approved administratively by the NGCB chair without further action by the NGC, could be the start of reducing the role of the five-member commission in terms of regulatory oversight.

“To me, it’s all about efficiency without compromising regulatory review,” Hendrick told Vixio. “Nevada needs to be as open and receptive to new innovation as possible. It’s important to remember that in all of these new games and gaming devices that they all go through a thorough review process.”

Until now, all new games and gaming devices must be approved by both the NGCB and then via a formal vote of the NGC. Hendrick said that the process was actually slowing down licensees from getting new gaming products out to patrons.

“The commission, for many years, has not denied a new game or gaming device during a public meeting. So, to allow that to slow down the process just didn’t seem efficient to me.”

Hendrick said he believed that Nevada would never eliminate its two-tiered regulatory system, telling Vixio it was the “most efficient way to regulate” the state's signature industry.

Overall, the Nevada legislature approved five bills directly concerning the regulation of gaming.

During his tenure as chairman, regulators reached a stipulated settlement with Steve Wynn, to close a four-year-old complaint over allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct against female employees during his time as chairman and CEO of Wynn Resorts. Wynn paid a $10m fine.

Hendrick also played a role in the control board reaching stipulated settlements totaling $24.5m with Wynn Resorts, MGM Resorts International and Resorts World Las Vegas over violations of federal anti-money laundering laws and unregistered international money transmissions.

“It is the responsibility of every Nevada gaming licensee to ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations,” said Hendrick when asked about the impact of those settlements on the gaming industry. 

“Fulfilling that responsibility necessitates licensees having well-stated and funded compliance departments as well as effective programs like anti-money laundering. When licensees let their guard down, either intentionally or unintentionally, it’s the role of the NGCB to investigate and enforce Nevada’s gaming laws and regulations.”

See also: Regulatory Influencer: Nevada Enacts Further Gaming Reforms During 2025 Legislative Session 

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