Nevada Gaming Board Appoints New Chair Kirk Hendrick

Nevada’s new Governor, Joe Lombardo, has announced the addition of a new member and chairman to the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB). Kirk Hendrick, aged 58, will commence his four-year term at the first NGCB meeting, scheduled for late January.

Hendrick is taking over from interim chairwoman Dr. Brittnie Watkins, who filled the position for a month following the resignation of chairman J. Brin Gibson in November. Dr. Watkins still has two years left on the board.

Phil Katsaros, a member of the NGCB, has declared that he will be stepping down from his role at the end of the month. An announcement about his replacement is expected shortly.

Gov. Lombardo stated in a declaration:

I am pleased to declare that Kirk Hendrick has been chosen as a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, with the additional designation of being the board’s upcoming chair.

“I am confident that Kirk, with his keen business sense, exceptional legal expertise, and enthusiasm for Nevada gaming, will thrive in this crucial leadership position.”

Hendrick, a Las Vegas native, completed his high school education at Chaparral High School in Las Vegas in 1983. He furthered his studies at the University of Nevada, also known as UNLV, and graduated in 1988.

Hendrick’s public service with Nevada gaming

Nevada gaming is not unfamiliar to Hendrick.

He began his career in a private legal practice in 1991 before moving on to work alongside Nevada attorney general, Frankie Sue Del Papa.

Hendrick was employed in the gaming division of the attorney general’s office, providing legal advice to both the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) and the NGCB.

He maintained his public service role, first as the senior deputy attorney general for the gaming division’s office in Las Vegas, and then as the chief deputy for the entire statewide gaming division.

Hendrick’s role at the NGCB will involve supervising the 400-member agency responsible for regulating and enforcing Nevada’s gaming laws.

The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) oversees every facet of Nevada’s gaming industry, which includes the regulation of gaming licenses. The upcoming Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) meeting is set for Jan. 26, while the next NGCB meeting has been scheduled for Feb. 8.

Before returning to private practice in 2021, Hendrick’s also served as the legal counsel for the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Henricks resume includes legal sports work

Hendrik continued in the sports and gaming industry when he returned to the private sector. He served as a counsel at the Jones Vargas law firm.

Hendrick’s practice specialized in gaming and sports law, with a particular focus on legal issues related to boxing and mixed martial arts.

He then joined Zuffa, LLC, serving as general counsel. This company operates under the name Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Hendrick worked as an executive vice president and chief legal officer for Zuffa before venturing out independently. He established Hendrick Sports & Entertainment in 2019.