Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo has tabbed Mike Dreitzer to serve as the next chairperson of the Gaming Control Board, following the end of the legislative session in June.
Dreitzer most recently served as the CEO of Gaming Arts LLC, a gaming-equipment supplier with more than 150 gaming licenses. The governor’s office in a release said Dreitzer is resigning from the company and will provide transition services until he can begin his role with the Board, replacing Kirk Hendrick who announced in January he’s stepping down.
Merkur Gaming, which is acquiring the interests of Gaming Arts, expects to appear before the Gaming Control Board in May prior to Dreitzer serving in his new role.
“I’m pleased to announce Mike Dreitzer as the incoming Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” Lombardo said in a statement. “Mike has an extensive background in gaming compliance and brings decades of industry experience to the role. I’m confident that Mike will lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board with integrity and honor, while furthering its recent innovation and progress.”
Dreitzer said he’s honored by the appointment and expressed his gratitude to Lombardo for having the confidence in him to further the mission of the Board, support its agents and staff, and ensure “the highest-quality gaming regulations for Nevada.”
Lombardo said he’s grateful for Hendrick’s service and pointed out that under his Board leadership, the three-member body “has eliminated the bureaucratic hurdles and made tremendous progress” in gaming modernization and innovation in Nevada.
“I cannot thank Gov. Lombardo enough for allowing me to lead the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” Hendrick said. “Working with my fellow Board members and all the dedicated Board agents and employees has been the highlight of my public service career. With time left until the end of the legislative session I am eager to get much more accomplished for the state of Nevada. Handing over the gavel to Chairman Mike Dreitzer will be a smooth transition. Mike and I have known each other for almost 30 years, going back to our days in the Attorney General’s office. Mike is the perfect choice by Gov. Lombardo, based on Mike’s long career in gaming law, government, regulatory compliance, and business.”
