Brian Sandoval, the Governor of Nevada, recently designated Becky Harris as the forthcoming Chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB). This appointment makes her the first woman in history to hold the position of chair. Furthermore, she is only the second woman to have a seat on the board.
This appointment holds more significance than most due to the crucial role gambling plays in Nevada. Both the state and the Nevada gaming industry will be eager to ensure that the new appointee proves to be a reliable and capable leader.
Harris will be expected to avoid any actions that may jeopardize tax or business revenues. Concurrently, it’s crucial for her to safeguard the citizens of Nevada and adopt a forward-thinking stance towards the technological, political, and cultural shifts affecting the industry.
When announcing the appointment, Sandoval said:
The regulatory framework for gaming in Nevada is unparalleled worldwide. It’s crucial that the public officials serving on this commission are of unquestionable integrity and prepared to make challenging decisions.
Harris faces some difficult decisions?
Sandoval is confident that Harris will not only make the tough choices, but also make wise decisions on challenging issues.
Becky has diligently served her community in her capacity as an elected official. She played a pivotal role in the approval of legislation which formalized the e-gaming decision made by the Gaming Policy Committee. This move not only sanctioned e-gaming competitions but also ignited innovation in the gaming industry, ensuring that Nevada stays at the cutting edge of opportunities within this long-established state industry. I am certain that she will carry on serving with notable distinction and integrity.
Harris unquestionably possesses the necessary qualifications. The role requires political acuity, understanding of gambling law and regulation, and a constructive perspective towards the industry.
Similar to A.G. Burnett, her predecessor who resigned last month, Harris is a lawyer. Holding a Juris Doctor from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, she also serves as the State Senator for District 9 in Clark County.
Harris is a Republican at present. Yet, she was a Democrat until 2004. Her Senate seat is expected to be among the most fiercely fought for in the upcoming election. Nonetheless, Harris’ experience on both ends of the political spectrum will undoubtedly aid her in navigating any potential difficulties.
Harris has a strong background in gambling regulation
She demonstrated an early interest in the gambling industry, much to its relief, early in her political career. In 2016, Harris enrolled in the inaugural LL.M. in Gaming Law and Regulation at the William S. Boyd School of Law, University of Nevada.
She currently holds the position of Treasurer at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), where she plays an active role in state gambling regulation.
The NCGLS plays a specific role in advocating for best practice regulation. Essentially, its preliminary draft template for gambling regulations serves as an initial position paper on uniform gambling regulations throughout the US.
Nevada currently has interstate compacts with Delaware and New Jersey. Therefore, Harris’ regulatory experience at NCLGS will be beneficial as this compact expands.
The fact is that Nevada is lagging behind other countries in certain regulatory areas. This is evident in areas such as the usage of virtual and cryptocurrencies, and the regulation of a broader variety of games, including esports and virtual sports.
NGCB has begun tackling some of these problems. However, the rapid pace of technological advancement leads to the emergence of new ventures, which may necessitate regulatory intervention, or not. In the gambling industry, inaction can sometimes be as harmful as excessive zeal.
Switching from politics to gambling regulation may be a step up
Harris is fully aware of the significance of her position. She had to leave her Senate seat to accept the job. Following her acceptance, she recognized the enormity of the challenges she would face:
Being named to the most esteemed regulatory system globally comes with immense responsibility. I deeply appreciate the faith and trust Governor Sandoval has shown in me. I pledge to serve with resolve and integrity. While I will miss my role in the Nevada State Senate and serving the citizens of District 9, I am eager to continue my public service to the people of Nevada in this new full-time position.
Harris, a key figure in the Nevada gambling industry, is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as Mormons. This might be considered unusual.
The church is strongly against gambling. However, the stance of the Mormons isn’t significantly different from that of most major religions in this regard. In 2011, when Massachusetts attempted to broaden gambling, the state’s four most senior Catholic bishops publicly issued a statement condemning the planned legislation.
Republican Senate Leader Michael Roberson is confident that Harris is the appropriate choice for the political candidate replacement, even though the situation is challenging.
There couldn’t be a more suitable person for the Gaming Control Board appointment than Becky. Her groundbreaking appointment as the first female chairwoman is truly deserved, given that her resume is unparalleled. I am genuinely thrilled for Becky and am confident she’ll excel in this role.
