UNLV International Center for Gaming Regulation names new executive director

Joe Bertolone, a longtime chief executive in both the governmental and private sectors, was named the new executive director of the UNLV (University of Nevada, Las Vegas) International Center for Gaming Regulation (ICGR). This appointment follows an unprecedented global search that yielded applicants in leadership positions from around the world.

Bertolone’s diverse experience spans more than 25 years, starting in gaming regulation as the Chief of Administration at the Nevada Gaming Control Board and then as the first Chief of the Technology Division for the same agency, according to a UNLV news release Monday. He then rose to the top of several private sector companies —most recently as President, North America for Ainsworth Game Technology. 

Prior to this, Bertolone served as CEO of DEQ Systems Inc. —a global, publicly traded provider of table game content and progressive systems. He also served in executive leadership roles for William Hill US, a leading sports wagering operator. At each stop throughout his career, he has dedicated himself to teaching, serving as a popular instructor for several classes at UNLV over the past two decades.

ICGR, a ground-breaking partnership between UNLV International Gaming Institute and UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law, was launched in 2016 to serve as a resource for global gaming regulators, providing world-class educational programs, research and consultancy. In four years, ICGR has developed a reputation as the only academic, unbiased and trusted educational and consultancy resource for regulators, gaming operators and manufacturers from around the world. ICGR has delivered its programs to more than 2000 attendees from more than 30 countries and has advised national governments on six continents. 

“ICGR has developed such an outstanding reputation as the only academic institute dedicated to the study and evolution of gaming regulation,” Bertolone said. “The need for an independent, unbiased voice establishes ICGR as the educational ‘go-to’ for regulatory and compliance matters. I hope to build upon the foundation that was built with hard work from the ICGR team and former leadership. Having been in both their shoes, the concerns of both government regulators and industry executives hit home, so the bridge-building nature of this position was very attractive to me.”

Bo Bernhard, executive director of the International Gaming Institute, commented: “Joe’s predecessor André Wilsenach, the founding executive director of the center, often said that when he was looking for thought leadership, he picked up the phone and called Joe Bertolone. Today, we are excited to announce that Joe has joined us full-time, bringing his unique blend of dynamic thinking and a resume that is unlike any other in gaming to UNLV.”

“In an industry as diverse and multifaceted as gaming, it is crucial that we employ leaders who are experts in their respective fields and can help bridge the government-university-industry gap. I am confident in Joe's ability to do just this,” stated Becky Harris, former chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and current IGI Distinguished Fellow, Gaming and Leadership.

“We are delighted to welcome Joe to UNLV. He brings a wealth of experience as a gaming regulator and as a CEO of gaming companies at the cutting edge of innovation and technology, in the U.S. and around the world. UNLV and our students will benefit directly from this expertise,” added William S. Boyd School of Law Dean, Dan Hamilton.