10 Women Rising in Gaming
September 2026
Danielle Finn
Company: UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, Indian Nations Gaming & Governance Program
Years of experience in the gaming industry: 8
Hometown: Standing Rock Sioux Tribe – Porcupine/Bismarck, North Dakota
What was your first job in the gaming industry? Did you have previous experience in other industries? What drew you to gaming?
Gaming has really been part of my life since childhood. As a Lakota, I grew up around games of chance, what’s classified as Class I gaming in the United States, playing traditional hand and moccasin games that Native people have practiced since time immemorial. That early exposure grew into a professional path: I started by working for my own tribe, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which allowed me to learn the regulatory side of gaming alongside our tribal gaming commission while interfacing with state and federal officials. Now I am the director of the Indian Nations Gaming & Governance Program and teach federal Indian law, hospitality law, and tribal gaming at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, William F. Harrah’s College of Hospitality and Sinte Gleska University. Beyond gaming, my background is rooted in law and public policy, and I serve as a sitting tribal judge, which gives me a judicial and regulatory lens that shapes how I approach gaming, governance, and education.
What do you like about working in gaming? What is it about the industry that keeps you engaged? What is unique about it?
What I like most about working in gaming is the diversity of people in it. Most folks will tell you they didn’t set out to work in gaming, they kind of stumbled into it, and I find that the range of backgrounds people bring is what makes this industry such a wonderful place to work.
What keeps me most engaged is the fast pace of the regulations and laws. The industry is constantly evolving, so you’re never bored and nothing ever feels stale.
From my perspective as a law professor, what makes it unique is the sheer range of challenges and opportunities that come with gaming law and regulation. Gaming affects the entire world, not just the United States, and I think that global reach is what truly sets this industry apart. From my Lakota perspective, what I find truly amazing is that roughly half of all federally recognized tribes operate a gaming facility. That scale of tribal participation, and what it means for tribal sovereignty and self-determination, is something I find genuinely awesome and special about this industry.
Looking ahead, what impact do you hope to make in the industry, and what would you like your leadership legacy to be?
The impact I hope to make in this industry is simple: every casino and every tribal nation needs skilled legal representation, and I want to help produce some of the best gaming and tribal gaming attorneys in the country. If I can inspire the next generation of legal leaders in this space, then I’ll feel like I’ve truly made an impact. That would be the legacy I’d want most, because the need for that expertise is real and it’s only growing.
What personal and professional qualities or traits do you believe are essential for success in the gaming industry, and which of those qualities have helped you thrive in your own career?
While many qualities contribute to success in the gaming industry, a few core principles define my approach: adaptability, curiosity, integrity, positivity, grit, and cultural humility. Maintaining positivity keeps me grounded during complex challenges, while grit ensures I see them through to resolution. In a fast-evolving industry, adaptability has allowed me to pivot strategically at key career milestones. Curiosity drives me to understand the why behind laws and regulations, rather than just the what. Crucially, integrity underpins everything I do, while cultural humility enables me to navigate the distinct histories and worldviews across tribal, state, and federal landscapes. Together, these traits have guided my career and remain essential for long-term impact in this industry.
What advice do you have for women seeking careers in gaming?
Beyond joining Global Gaming Women, my best advice is to take the gamble: start anywhere, connect with other women, and place a bet on yourself. This industry rewards people who are willing to roll the dice on a new path, even before they have it all figured out. Trust me, the odds are better than you think!
