Nevada Gaming Control Board member Brittnie Watkins announces departure as term concludes

Nevada Gaming Control Board member Brittnie Watkins announced during the board’s meeting on Wednesday that it would be her final session with the agency. Watkins, whose term is set to end on January 26, reflected on her tenure with gratitude and said she opted not to seek reappointment to the position.  

Appointed by former Governor Steve Sisolak in 2021, Watkins brought years of experience as an attorney specializing in complex commercial litigation before joining the board. During her time at the agency, she also served briefly as acting chairwoman in late 2022, following Brin Gibson’s resignation as chairman.  

“The opportunity to see the gaming industry from this perspective has been absolutely priceless,” Watkins said during her remarks. “I leave the board entirely fulfilled. There is no other opportunity like this.”

She expressed appreciation for the industry’s innovation and collaboration and thanked her fellow board members, Chairman Kirk Hendrick and member George Assad, for their support.  

Watkins, a Michigan native and accomplished academic, holds degrees in psychology, criminal justice, law, and educational psychology from Michigan State University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She earned her Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Gaming and Regulation from UNLV’s Boyd School of Law.  

Watkins’ departure comes amidst changes in the board’s composition under Governor Joe Lombardo’s administration. Lombardo is expected to appoint a new member to the three-person board, which plays a major role in regulating Nevada’s gaming industry. The governor has already made appointments, including Hendrick as chairman and Assad as a board member in early 2023.  

The Nevada Gaming Control Board oversees the state’s largest industry, operating as a 400-person agency tasked with enforcing gaming regulations. It provides recommendations on licensing and other matters to the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Hendrick praised Watkins’ contributions, including her leadership on a task force reviewing longstanding board directives. Watkins, who became a mother six months ago, said she is uncertain about her next professional steps but is open to new challenges. “I honestly am excited about the possibilities and the opportunities,” she said.  

Watkins’ tenure was not without challenges. In September, she was named in a lawsuit filed by Jaime Black, a former Control Board Administration Division department head, who alleged Watkins fostered a hostile work environment and pressured her to engage in discriminatory hiring practices.

The case remains unresolved, and Black’s attorney has not commented on how Watkins’ departure might impact the proceedings.  Governor Lombardo’s office has not disclosed potential candidates for the upcoming board vacancy.