Garrett Farnes didn’t set out for a career in gaming.
Farnes, executive director of responsible gaming at MGM Resorts International, attended UNLV and earned a master’s degree in social work. He spent years overseeing outpatient therapy clinics and later ran his own practice.
“I was in mental health a long time — 12 years in mental health is the equivalent of 50 years working in any other industry,” he said.
When he saw a job posting for MGM’s responsible gaming team, it felt like a natural fit. He wasn’t an expert in gambling, but he understood addiction and believed he had the tools to make a difference.
