Nevada Gaming Commission Chairman steps down to fight coronavirus

Tony Alamo, the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission and a practicing physician, is stepping away from the regulatory board to devote his attention to fighting COVID-19.

Alamo, who was placed on the commission in 2008 and appointed chairman in 2014, sent a resignation letter to Gov. Steve Sisolak on Tuesday. His last day on the five-member commission will be April 17, 10 days earlier than when his third term was set to expire.

In the letter, he says that he feels he needs to direct all of his energies to the clinical and logistical planning that his primary employment demands. Alamo is the chief medical director of one of the largest clinical delivery organizations in the state. 

On Tuesday afternoon, Alamo told Las Vegas Sun he hadn’t planned to seek a fourth term. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for April 22. “I was going to finish the month of April and my last meeting, but this COVID-19 will not let me,” said Alamo, also the chief medical director of the OptumCare Nevada health system. “I have to devote my full laser focus to my duties as a physician. We’re about to be in a significant situation here in the next 10-14 days.”

In Alamo’s letter to Sisolak, he said he will “remain the gaming industry’s biggest proponent” and said he “looks forward to seeing Nevada and its citizens overcoming all the challenges currently before us.”

Alamo’s replacement on the commission will be decided by Sisolak, but as of Tuesday it was unclear when the appointment could be effective. “The governor probably has people lying in wait,” Alamo said. “There’s a lot of talent out there and I wanted to give the governor plenty of time to bring somebody aboard so I can help transition them during these next 10 days. I’m sure he has somebody in mind.”

Alamo was previously chief of staff for Sunrise Hospital and St. Rose San Martin Hospital. He served 7 years on Nevada's Athletic Commission before serving 12 years on the gaming commission. He was the first person in Nevada history to serve on both commissions. He worked under four Nevada governors — Kenny Guinn, Jim Gibbons, Brian Sandoval and Sisolak.