Kirk Hendrick, the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board for the last two years, has resigned and will leave the position at the end of the 2025 legislative session.

Hendrick made the announcement Wednesday after meeting recently with Gov. Joe Lombardo.

An exact date for Hendrick’s departure hasn’t been determined, but Nevada legislative sessions run 120 days and generally end in June.

Hendrick announced his planned departure in a two-paragraph statement to the board and staff.

“I recently had a great conversation with Gov. Lombardo and we discussed how much the board has accomplished since he appointed me as chairman two years ago,” the statement said. “We also discussed more to still be accomplished including the board’s priorities for the legislative session beginning next month. Our conversation concluded with me informing the governor of my intention to resign as board chair following the legislative session.

“My announcement today allows Gov. Lombardo time to find the next board chair and provides for a smooth transition of leadership,” he said. “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.”

Second board member to depart

The departure announcement was the second Control Board leadership shakeup in a week.

Board member Brittnie Watkins on Jan. 15 announced she would not seek reappointment to the board when her appointment expires at the end of the month.

Hendrick’s term in office has been accented by efforts to streamline the regulatory process. Under his leadership, the board has amended or repealed dozens of gaming regulations that help speed up the game approval process and ease reporting requirements on financial matters.

During his time, the board handled licensing applications for Fontainebleau Las Vegas on the Strip and Station Casinos’ Durango property in southwest Las Vegas.

His board also has taken the initial steps to license executives for the Seminole Indian Tribe’s transition of The Mirage to Hard Rock Las Vegas on the Strip.

Hendrick presided over some of the final disciplinary actions taken against former Las Vegas casino executive Steve Wynn.

But Hendrick’s board also has been the subject of controversy with some criticizing regulators’ efforts to keep illegal bookmakers from gambling in Nevada casinos. While federal authorities have taken the lead in investigating illegal gambling at MGM Resorts International and Resorts World Las Vegas properties, some critics say state regulators haven’t been active in preventing further illegal activity and money laundering. A regulatory complaint signed by Hendrick in August against Resorts World and a registered agent who is the wife of an illegal bookmaker have yet to be reviewed by the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Hendrick joined the board in January 2023 and replaced Watkins as chair. She had been named interim chairwoman two months earlier.

Hendrick was the longtime general counsel for Ultimate Fighting Championship in Las Vegas prior to joining the board.

Kendrick had earlier worked in the attorney general’s Gaming Division, which provides legal counsel to the Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission. He went on to serve as the senior deputy attorney general for the Gaming Division’s Las Vegas office, before being tapped to serve as the chief deputy for the statewide Gaming Division. Hendrick also served as the legal counsel for the Nevada Athletic Commission.

After his public legal work, Hendrick returned to private practice in 2001 and served with the law firm of Jones Vargas, focusing on gaming and sports law, primarily boxing and mixed martial arts.

He then went on to join Zuffa LLC, doing business as UFC, as general counsel, later becoming chief operating officer for the company. In November 2012, Hendrick was named executive vice president and chief legal officer for Zuffa. Following his work for Zuffa, Hendrick founded Hendrick Sports & Entertainment in March 2019.

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