Nevada Gaming Control Board Chair Kirk Hendrick gave a public goodbye during his last meeting Wednesday before he steps down from his role at the end of next week. After serving in the role for nearly 2½ years, Hendrick announced in January he was stepping down after the Nevada legislative session rather than finish his term.
Hendrick is being replaced by Mike Dreitzer, who will make his first public appearance in the role at the July Board meeting. Dreitzer is the outgoing CEO of Gaming Arts LLC, a gaming-equipment supplier.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime to serve as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board,” Hendrick said. “I want to thank Gov. (Joe) Lombardo for the opportunity to lead a world-renowned agency such as this body and the 400 agents and employees who work here on a day-to-day basis.”
Hendrick thanked his fellow Board members for their dedication, wisdom, camaraderie, professionalism. He said the last 2½ years went by quickly, but were “amazing.”
Hendrick respects all gaming regulators, saying it’s not an easy job in what regulators do around the world to make the industry better and provide fair gaming and responsible gaming.
“My goal was always to make the Nevada Gaming Control Board the most effective and efficient gaming regulatory body in the world,” Hendrick said. “That’s no sleight to every other gaming regulator around the world, because I expect they’re saying the same thing. That rising tide will lift the gaming-regulator boats.”
Being a regulator isn’t an easy job. “People’s lives are on the line, their livelihood, profession, and family’s ability to earn money and pay bills,” he said. “Those are tough decisions that we make. I’m extremely proud of what the Board has done to streamline all of our external and internal policies and procedures. For an agency that turns 70 next month, that’s not an easy task to do. A lot of those take a lot of time and energy to undust.
“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort making sure the Nevada Gaming Control Board is represented and doing what it needs to do,” Hendrick said. “It’s not just a symbol, but a commitment to excellence and I’m proud when I hear morale is up at the Control Board. Everybody at the Gaming Control Board deserves to have respect on behalf of everything they do on behalf of the state of Nevada.”
Hendrick thanked licensees for their philanthropic efforts.. He also praised them for their donations to responsible gaming, even though it’s not part of their licensing. He added that he made a small donation this week to the International Center for Responsible Gaming that does valuable work for those who need it.
“I took this job for one particular reason: my love for my state,” Hendrick said. “Pulling me out of semi-retirement wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right decision, because I owe the state so much. I need to thank my wife for putting up with me, because when I take a job, I do it 24/7. I know no other way to do something other than throw myself into it full throttle. That’s taken me away from my family, but it’s worth every bit of the time I’ve spent here.”
When asked if he accomplished everything he wanted to get done, Hendrick said no. The job evolves every day and his to-do list got longer and not shorter.
“Streamlining the agency, its policies and procedures, was one of the things on my checklist,” Hendrick said. “My satisfaction is in knowing every decision I made while on the Board was because I believed it was in the best interest of the state of Nevada. I’m beholden to nobody and I told the governor when I took the job that it was only if I could do it my way. I have 11 more days left and I know incoming Chair Dreitzer will be great for this agency. I may be leaving the Board, but I will always be cheering for the Board. I thank you all.”
Board member George Assad praised Hendrick for his service and called his departure bittersweet.
“You were the right person at the right time for this position,” Assad said. “You’ve brought so much respect back to the Board. It’s been said so many times Nevada is the gold standard when it comes to gaming regulatory bodies and you’ve helped restore and maintain that standard in being the top regulatory agency in the country. Others come to listen to us and seek our guidance and wisdom.”
Assad said he’s sad to see Hendrick leave. He compared it to a sports team that takes a while to jell.
“We were doing a lot of good things and I was starting to get in sync with your overall mindset and approach to the Gaming Control Acts, our regs, and how to proceed with various licensee and disciplinary issues,” said Assad, who noted the Board has gotten the attention of major casinos to encourage them to pay more attention to anti-money-laundering matters.
“That is a tremendous accomplishment,” Assad said. “The regulation that you brought about the reduction of workshops was great. It’s helped the industry tremendously. You helped ensure our agency and industry are on the right path.”
Assad said Dreitzer will have big shoes to fill, since people don’t realize what a tremendous responsibility the chair has and how difficult and stressful it is, taking a lot of time and being away from family.
“You boosted the morale of all 400 members of the Gaming Control Board,” Assad said. “You’ve been fantastic with sponsoring Christmas parties and lunches up north and down south for all the employees. You set a high standard for Mike Dreitzer. I hope he can follow those kinds of things, because they’re very expensive. I’m happy for you because you can really start to enjoy your life and enjoy golfing and time with your family.”
Board member Chandeni Sendall said Hendrick will be missed. She appreciated his leadership, hard work, and generosity and said he will leave a legacy.
“Countless individuals, both from the gaming industry and employees from Gaming Control Board, have talked about the great work you’ve done during your time as chairman,” Sendall said. “You stepped up and served as a strong leader, providing better opportunity and engagement for the employees, and you’ve worked closely with the gaming industry to ensure fair and efficient regulation of gaming operations throughout the state.”
