Longtime gaming industry executive and former Nevada Deputy Attorney General Mike Dreitzer will be the new chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB).
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced on Monday that Dreitzer has been chosen to replace current chairman Kirk Hendrick, who earlier this year confirmed his plans to resign as chair of the three-member regulatory board after the 2025 legislative session.
Dreitzer has most recently served as CEO of gaming equipment supplier Gaming Arts. He has also previously worked in roles including President of North America at Ainsworth Game Technology, Chief Operating Officer of gaming test lab and consultancy BMM Americas and Co-Founder and COO of gaming content firm G3.
Previously, Dreitzer provided legal representation for the NGCB and the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Silver State’s other gaming regulatory body, during his time as Deputy Attorney General for Nevada.
“Mike has an extensive background in gaming compliance and brings decades of industry experience to the role,” said Gov. Lombardo. “I’m confident that Mike will lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board with integrity and honor, while furthering its recent innovation and progress.”
“I’m deeply honored by this appointment to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, and I’m grateful to Gov. Lombardo for his confidence in me,” added Dreitzer. “I look forward to furthering the essential mission of the Board, while supporting its agents and staff to ensure the highest quality gaming regulation for our state.”
Dreitzer’s anticipated start date is June 23, the day after Hendrick’s resignation is expected to take effect. Until then, he will remain with Gaming Arts to help finalize its merger with Germany company Merkur Gaming.
Hendrick’s tenure has been busy
Lombardo added that he is “exceptionally grateful” to Hendrick, who has served in the chairman role since Lombardo appointed him in January 2023.
“Under his leadership, the Nevada Gaming Control Board has eliminated bureaucratic hurdles and made tremendous progress in gaming modernization and innovation in Nevada,” said Lombardo.
“I cannot thank Gov. Lombardo enough for allowing me to lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” added Hendrick. “Working with my fellow Board members and all the dedicated Board agents and employees has been the highlight of my public service career. With time left until the end of the legislative session, I am eager to get much more accomplished for the State of Nevada.”
During Hendrick’s tenure, he has overseen a series of gaming reforms, such as removing more than a dozen outdated regulations and helping to drive an amendment to let Nevada patrons to use their betting accounts for non-gaming purchases at licenced properties.
Notably, he also helped lead investigations into high-profile misconduct cases such as the probe into Resorts World Las Vegas and former casino executive Scott Sibella and the settlement with MGM Resorts International. The NGCB fined Resorts World $10.5 million and MGM Resorts $8.5 million as a result of money laundering and illegal bookmaking scandals, while Sibella had his gaming licence revoked.
There’s also the small matter of the continuing court case after prediction markets operator Kalshi sued the NGCB in Nevada District Court.
Dreitzer will complete the remaining 18 months of Hendrick’s four-year term, which ends in January 2027. His appointment follows the recent appointments to the board by Lombardo of former Judge George Assad and Reno Deputy City Attorney Chandeni Sendall.
“Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition,” added Hendrick. “Mike and I have known each other for almost 30 years going back to our days in the Attorney General’s Office. Mike is the perfect choice by Gov. Lombardo based on Mike’s long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance, and business.”
