“Nevada looks forward to sharing its sports betting model with other jurisdictions”

What were your first impressions after the Supreme Court sports betting ruling?

As individual states decide whether or not to authorize legalized sports betting, and embark on establishing their own regulatory frameworks, the NGCB looks forward to acting as a resource and sharing our model with other jurisdictions. Nevada currently is the only jurisdiction which offers a full range of sports betting options to the public and we have been doing so for over 40 years. We have a fantastic model which has proven itself to be very successful. We are the gold standard for legal, regulated sports betting and we are ready willing and able to share information, establish relationships with and assist other jurisdictions with their efforts to create their own sports betting regulatory framework when the time comes.

Can you describe Nevada's current regulatory framework and its feasibility in other states?

There is a series of hallmarks of Nevada’s regulatory framework that are worthy of consideration. Firstly, low tax rates. The sports wagering industry is a highly volatile, unpredictable and low margin business, so the continued success of this type of gambling requires a low tax rate, and Nevada has established a tax rate of 6.75%.

With respect to any proposed 'integrity fees', we believe they are unnecessary and impose additional costs. The Nevada Gaming Control Board’s sports betting model already policies and maintains the integrity of our sports betting industry. We have been incredibly effective for over 40 years. sports books in Nevada operate on a thin margin and the action is unpredictable from week to week. Even a small fee could have a significant impact on Nevada’s or any jurisdiction’s ability to compete and draw sports bettors away from the illegal market.

Provisions for the regulation and monitoring of mobile sports betting are also worth mentioning. Mobile sports betting applications have revolutionized how customers wager on sports, and Nevada has experienced record growth in sports wagering as a result of these applications.

Finally, Nevada ties sports pool licenses to a land-based casino. This assists in compliance, fund sourcing, knowing your customer and other essential compliance matters.

What is your current approach towards and view on the advance of online gambling?

Currently, the only type of online gaming offered in Nevada is Interactive Poker. For Nevada, it made sense to expand and share liquidity with other markets. We have successful liquidity agreements with both Delaware and New Jersey and are open to establishing additional accords as more jurisdictions wish to come online in the future.

You are the first woman to lead the NGCB. How would you assess this experience so far? Which challenges did you have to face, or will you deal with in the future? Which goals have you accomplished and which ones are still pending?

I have a great job! The experience thus far has been phenomenal. It is always challenging and exciting dealing with a wide range of issues from the potential of legalized sports betting nationally to the recent legalization of marijuana in Nevada and how that impacts gaming in Nevada, to how we can ensure the safety of tourists and local visitors who are so important to our tourism and gaming economy in the State of Nevada. It is an incredibly relevant time to be leading the NGCB, the issues the industry is facing are complex and extremely diverse.

What resources could you capitalize from your academic training at the UNLV and your previous experience at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States?

My academic experiences at UNLV provided me with a strong foundation in gaming law while my experience with the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States allowed me to mesh my academic knowledge with the practical realities of creating gaming policy at the legislative level. In leading the NGCB I have the opportunity to look at the gaming industry through a new lens. I am now enforcing laws that the legislature has enacted and at the same time working with our gaming licensees and the day to day to day operations of the casino industry. At the upcoming Summer Meeting in Cleveland, I anticipate that there will be a great deal of discussion regarding legalized sports betting, after the Supreme Court decision. Just like Brazil, the various jurisdictions throughout the United States will need to determine which regulatory process works best for them.