Exclusive: Lipparelli to leave Nevada Gaming Control Board
GCB chairman set to return to the private sector after two years in his role at the regulatory body.
Mark Lipparelli is to step down from his position as chairman of Nevada’s Gaming Control Board at the end of the month, eGR North America can reveal.
His departure on 28 September after almost two years in the role is expected to be confirmed later today, however there is as yet no indication as to what his next move might be.
Since his appointment as chairman of the GCB by Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval in January 2011 “ the first change in the panel’s chairmanship since 2001 “ Lipparelli has been an instrumental figure in placing Nevada at the front of the pack in terms of online gambling regulation in the United States.
While he has yet to decide his next move, it is understood that Lipparelli has already been approached by a number of gaming companies. No announcement is expected to be made until the former Bally Technologies executive has left his current role.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said in a statement: “I have received and accepted Mark’s resignation as Chairman of the Gaming Control Board, effective September 28th. Mark has dedicated himself every day for four years to working to maintain Nevada’s leadership in the gaming industry and I thank him for his loyal service to the state.
“His insight and foresight, particularly in the area of online gaming have been an invaluable asset to my administration and he will be missed. A great advocate for the state, Mark’s leadership in pushing to modernise functions of the agency – a continuing priority for me “ has helped move Nevada forward and set the groundwork for the next generation of gaming. I wish Mark the very best as he begins the next chapter of his career.”
Meanwhile Governor Sandoval has already begun searching for Lipparelli’s recruitment, with the GCB’s other two board members, A.G. Burnett and Shawn Reid, being considered for the role. Candidates from outside of the regulatory body are also expected to emerge.
Shawn Reid was appointed by Governor Jim Gibbons in January 2011 and was reappointed by Governor Brian Sandoval to serve a four year term in January 31 2011. He
began his career at the GCB in 1990 as an agent in the Board’s Investigations Division.
A.G. Burnett was appointed by Governor Brian Sandoval in January 2011. Prior to his appointment to the Board, he was the Deputy Chief of the Corporate Securities Division of the Gaming Control Board, overseeing regulatory and investigative activities conducted by the Division and worked extensively with emerging and foreign gaming jurisdictions in their efforts to regulate gaming.
According to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article from December 2010, Control board members earn US$125,112 annually, while the chairman earns $134,554.
Online poker legislation was passed in December 2011 and, under Lipparelli, the GCB has been responsible for all interactive poker applications and ensuring Nevada’s gaming market remains fair, legal and fully regulated.
Under Lipparelli’s tenure, Nevada has cemented its reputation as a global leader in gaming regulation. It began recommending the first licensees to the state’s Gaming Commission in June, with casino game suppliers Shuffle Master, IGT and Bally among the first recipients after stringent suitability investigations. Since then three operators “ South Point Poker, Monarch Interactive and Stratosphere casino owners ACEP Properties “ have also been recommended for licences, meaning legal online poker could just be months away.
Prior to joining the GCB, Lipparelli, who spoke at eGR NA’s Power Summit in Laguna Beach last week, acted as a consultant to the gaming and investment industries under Gioco Ventures, the company he founded and owns, while also serving a two-year tenure as a member of the GCB from January 2009 to December 2010.
Earlier in his career he was the executive vice president of Bally Systems and executive vice-president of operations for Bally Technologies. He also held management roles at Shuffle Master, Camco and Casino Data Systems.
This year, he also instigated the outsourcing of all system testing to independent test laboratories (ITLs) for the first time, relieving the burden of pre-approval from the GCB’s remit.