A.G. Burnett, the renowned Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, will be stepping down from his position on December 22, as revealed in a press release from the office of Governor Brian Sandoval.
He is transitioning to a position at the law firm McDonald Carano. A replacement has not yet been nominated by Sandoval.
Burnett’s departure will be a significant loss to the Nevada gaming industry. He supervised the implementation of internet gaming and regulated daily fantasy sports during his tenure. Additionally, he handled numerous legal and regulatory modifications.
Burnett became well-known for backing the needs of the industry while upholding a firm dedication to consumer protection, after being appointed in 2011 and reappointed in 2015. He achieved this intricate balance in a setting where Nevada gaming is political.
According to Sandoval,
A.G. was an equitable and considerate supervisor who skillfully managed the responsibility of being the chief gaming regulator, while also making sure that our state’s primary industry had the leeway to innovate and make continuous progress. Both his colleagues and the sector he served held him in high esteem, and I am confident that he will reflect on his public service career with a sense of accomplishment.
Burnett oversaw the first state-regulated US online poker
Perhaps his most notable achievement during his tenure was leading Nevada to become the first state to initiate state-regulated online poker.
Burnett played a key role in ensuring that Nevada swiftly established a regulatory and licensing system when the Department of Justice changed its stance on the Wire Act. This was instrumental in making the launch of Ultimate Poker possible.
On April 13, 2013, Ultimate Poker made history as the first fully legal online poker operator in the US, operating under a state-regulated license. Then, a few months later, at exactly 9:19am on September 19 (a time and date that would delight numerologists – 9/19 9:19), WSOP.com was launched.
Chairman Burnett outlasted Ultimate Poker, which relied heavily on an outdated proprietary software platform – a key factor in its downfall. The company eventually closed its doors in November 2014, leaving the market to WSOP. Unlike Ultimate Poker, WSOP utilizes a much more user-friendly online poker platform powered by 888.
Burnett is staying local
Richard Schuetz, former Commissioner of the California Gambling Control Commission, left his role to take up the position of Executive Director of the Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission in the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Chairman Burnett is setting off on a slightly less glamorous adventure.
Burnett will stay in the area as the law firm he will be joining is based in Reno. It is likely that he will receive calls seeking his advice for many years to come.
A.J. “Bud” Hicks, an attorney at McDonald Carano, informed the Las Vegas Review Journal that before Burnett can be utilized by the firm to represent clients before Nevada regulators, he must undergo a one-year “cooling-off” period. Hicks further stated;
“Chairman Burnett will serve as a priceless asset to our existing clients and to those new to the industry.”
Burnett commented on his own departure:
After nearly two decades in the gaming regulation industry, I have decided to retire from state service. My tenure as Chairman of the Gaming Control Board has been an honor, and I am grateful for Governor Sandoval’s unwavering support and trust in my capabilities. During my term, the Gaming Control Board has successfully navigated an array of regulatory challenges, implemented numerous regulatory and statutory amendments to adapt to technological changes, and tackled issues like internet gaming, nightclub regulation, and cannabis-related gaming policies. I take pride in our accomplishments and am deeply thankful to the Control Board staff for their relentless efforts for the state.
Sandoval did not reveal when the announcement regarding his replacement will be made.
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