
Kirk Hendrick, the chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB), has announced he will leave the regulator before the end of this year.
Hendrick, a former chief legal officer for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, was appointed to the role in 2023 by Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. His term as chair was supposed to last four years, meaning his resignation mid-term comes as some surprise.
Hendrick gave no reason for resigning, although he did reveal he had already personally spoken to Lombardo to discuss the subject.
His departure means significant change for the three-person board, which also recently saw Brittnie Watkins announce her imminent departure. Lombardo must now replace two of the board, with his other hire, Judge George Assad, retaining his post.
“My announcement today allows Governor Lombardo time to find the next Board Chair and provides for a smooth transition of leadership,” Hendrick said in a statement released by the regulator.
“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.”
The Departure
The exact date Hendrick will leave the NGCB has yet to be determined. However, he did say he will serve until at least June, which is the end of the 2025 Nevada legislative session.
The biannual sessions are an important time for the NGCB, as it is called upon to give its assessment and views on new laws or amendments relevant to the Nevada gambling business.
Although he is leaving soon, Hendrick affirmed his commitment to the board’s goals in the upcoming months. He said he had already discussed the regulator’s aims for the 120-day legislative session with Governor Lombardo.
Before he leaves, the Board is also on track to wrap up its legal filings against Resorts Worlds Las Vegas over money laundering allegations. Those were made in connection to various illegal California bookmakers busted over the last year in federal investigations.
The NGCB was criticized by some for being slow to react to the investigation. In late 2023, it cleared Resorts World President Scott Sibella of similar yet unconnected money laundering links. Yet less than a year later, Sibella was fired from his role at Resorts World before being convicted over bank secrecy act violations in a federal court.
The NGCB’s belated filings against Sibella recently saw him lose his Nevada gambling license. The case against Resorts World is ongoing, but an outcome should be known before Hendrick departs.
The Tenure
Hendrick was appointed in 2023 and was charged by Lombardo with cleaning up outdated gaming regulations costing Nevada money.
In his first year in charge, the agency gutted 16 regulatory codes that were no longer fit for purpose, and either fixed them or absorbed their intended functions into others.
He also oversaw gambling regulations related to 2023’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, as well as 2024’s Super Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. He also presided over the launch of two massive new casino hotels in the $3.7 billion luxury Fontainebleau Las Vegas and the $780 million, locals-oriented Durango Casino Resort.

David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.