Top Nevada gambling regulator steps down

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval announced Monday that AG Burnett, the respected chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board, is to step down on December 22 this year in order to take up a new position with a local law firm.

Before actively practising gaming law with the firm Burnett will first have to complete a mandatory one-year “hands-off” period to ensure his proper separation from any possible conflict of interest.

His departure a year ahead of his official term of office leaves the Board with the task of finding a new chairman

Burnett earned the respect of the industry in his five years at the helm of the Board after taking over from Mark Lipparelli; he has almost twenty years of regulating under his belt, and was described by Gov. Sandoval as a “fair and thoughtful regulator who impressively balanced the roles of top gaming watchdog with ensuring that our state’s leading industry maintained flexibility to innovate and achieve forward progress.”

The veteran regulator was the man in charge when Nevada opted controversially to legalise online poker four years ago, a decision that ultimately led to an agreement with Delaware and New Jersey to share their player pools. Burnett also oversaw the introduction of skill-based gaming machines on Nevada casino floors.

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