Shakeup at Nevada Gaming Control Board

^{Nevada gaming regulators Brittnie Watkins and Kirk Hendrick are stepping aside to let a new group take charge. (Images: Nevada Gaming Control Board / YouTube)}

Last week Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) member Brittnie Watkins announced she was leaving her position after the meeting she participated in. This week, Kirk Hendrick, Chairman of the NGCB announced he would be stepping down soon, too.

The NCGB is made up of two members and a chair. This is a full-time regulatory board that makes recommendations about licensing and other gaming matters to the five-person, part-time Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC).

Judge George Assad (Ret.) will become the senior member of the NGCB after replacements are named for the two departures. He’s been a member since 2023. 

While Watkins completed her four-year term, Hendrick is leaving partially through his. He’ll stay on board until Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo finds a successor according to a notice from the NGCB, or until the conclusion of this legislative term, which ends June 2. 

The changes will mean that all Nevada gaming regulators for the duration of 2025 will be Lombardo appointees. 

Watkins will be replaced ASAP. Hendrick’s position could take some time to fill since the NV Legislative session usually coincides with the fiscal year (July-June).

Watkins Announces Exit at NGCB Monthly Meeting

During the January NGCB meeting, Watkins shared brief parting thoughts saying “The opportunity to see the gaming industry from this perspective has been absolutely priceless. She continued saying ”I leave the board entirely fulfilled. There is no other opportunity like this.”

Watkins’ term was short. She was made a member of the NGCB by the previous governor Steve Sisolak in 2021. Her term started in December 2021 and ends this month. 

The regulator shuffle isn’t out of the ordinary. Watkins started with the NGCB shortly after chairman J. Brin Gibson announced he was resigning. She was the last gaming regulator who was appointed by Sisolak.

A source told the Nevada Independent that Lombardo told Watkins that her two-year term would not be continued. 

Before joining the NGCB, Watkins practiced complex commercial litigation where she handled hotel and gaming cases. 

NGCB Announces Hendrick Resignation

Kirk Hendrick’s run was even shorter than Watkins'. He was appointed as Chair and Executive Director of the NGCB by Lombardo in January 2023. 

“I recently had a great conversation with Gov. Lombardo and we discussed how much the board has accomplished since he appointed me as chairman two years ago,” Hendrick said in a statement from the NGCB. 

“We also discussed more to still be accomplished including the board’s priorities for the legislative session beginning next month. Our conversation concluded with me informing the governor of my intention to resign as board chair following the legislative session.”

His two-paragraph statement concluded by saying:

“My announcement today allows Gov. Lombardo time to find the next board chair and provides for a smooth transition of leadership. It also allows me to tell all the amazing board agents and employees as well as Nevada’s gaming industry, citizens and visitors that I am dedicated to accomplishing much more over the next several months.”

His replacement will not serve a full four-year term. They will pick up where Hendrick left off until 2027 when his term is set to end.

Neither Hendrick nor Watkins has announced their next career move.