Gaming Control Board Chairman in Nevada Steps Down, Governor Sisolak Announces Successor
Published on November 15, 2022, at 10:04 am
Last updated on November 16, 2022, at 3:00 am
Devin O'Connor
Devin O'Connor@CasinoorgDevinO
@CasinoorgDevinO
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J. Brin Gibson's tenure as chairman and executive director of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) came to an end after two years in the role. Gibson resigned, and Governor Steve Sisolak appointed Brittnie Watkins to take over.
Asia Pacific Gaming,
Watkins becomes the second black woman to lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board, an agency responsible for regulating the world's richest gaming jurisdiction. Gibson assumed the position during the coronavirus pandemic in November 2020, succeeding Sandra Douglas Morgan, the first black woman to chair the board, who now serves as President of the NFL's Las Vegas Raiders [1].
Gibson chose to explore new professional opportunities outside public service, acknowledging the challenge of his two-year term that largely revolved around fighting the pandemic and restoring casinos to pre-pandemic levels [1]. Under Gibson's leadership, Nevada casinos have experienced unprecedented success, with gross gaming revenue exceeding the $1 billion market for 19 consecutive months [1].
Commercial Gaming,
Brittnie Watkins' Appointment
Sisolak, who is in his last days as governor due to the Republican Clark County Sheriff Joe Lombardo's 2022 gubernatorial election victory, announced Watkins as Gibson's successor [1]. Watkins joined the NGCB as a board member in April 2021, bringing her five years of experience as an attorney in Las Vegas [1].
Legislation,
Watkins holds an impressive academic background, boasting two bachelor's degrees from Michigan State University, a master's degree in criminal justice, a doctorate in educational psychology, a Juris Doctor, and a master of laws in gaming regulation, all from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) [1].
A New Chapter
Politics.
Following Watkins' appointment, Sisolak expressed gratitude to Gibson for his leadership and commitment to upholding Nevada as the gold standard in the US gaming industry [1]. "I am grateful to Brin’s steady leadership at the Nevada Gaming Control Board over the last two years, and his continued counsel and friendship to me," Sisolak said [1].
Gibson, in turn, expressed his appreciation for Sisolak's leadership and support [1]. "I am grateful to Gov. Sisolak for his leadership and support over the years,” Gibson said [1].
Despite Watkins' departure from the Nevada Gaming Control Board, there is no doubt that she played a significant role during her tenure and will continue to contribute to the gaming industry in her future endeavors.
Enrichment Data:
- Brittnie Watkins, the new chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, previously served as a member of the board for four years and held the interim chairwoman position for two months. However, she announced she would not seek reappointment in 2025. She was subsequently replaced by Chandeni Sendall, a Reno deputy city attorney, appointed by Governor Joe Lombardo [1][3][5].
- Gibson's resignation and Watkins' appointment are separate events, with Gibson leaving due to personal reasons and seeking new opportunities outside public service [2].
- The Nevada Gaming Control Board functions as the enforcement arm of the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC). The board makes regulatory recommendations and suggests disciplinary action against non-compliant licensees to the NGC [1].
Sources:
[1] (Link): The original article from which the enrichment data was taken.
[2] (Link): Additional news source confirming Gibson's resignation and reasons for leaving.
November 2020. He succeeded Sandra Douglas Morgan, the first black woman to chair the board, who has since become president of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
[3] (Link): The Review-Journal article that confirmed Watkins as Gibson's replacement.
[4] (Link): KTNV article announcing Watkins as the new chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board.
NGCB in April 2021. She arrived at the state gaming agency after working as an attorney in Las Vegas for the previous five years.
[5] (Link): Casino.org article about Watkins' announcement not to seek reappointment and the end of her tenure on the board.
- The news of Brittnie Watkins' appointment as the new chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board was widely covered, with Devin O'Connor, from Casinos, publishing an article about it on his div with the class 'panel__author'.
- In the figure caption below the photo of Gibson, it mentions that he resigned as chairman and executive director of the NGCB after serving for two years.
- In her resume, Brittnie Watkins has a degree in educational psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she also earned a master of laws in gaming regulation.