With Nevada gaming at a pivotal point, Mike Dreitzer charts a new path for the NGCB

Summary

Mike Dreitzer succeeded Kirk Hendrick as chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board in 2025 and describes the role as the honour of his professional life. He inherited a board facing several immediate challenges — multimillion-pound anti‑money‑laundering fines, an ongoing tourism slump hitting Las Vegas, and a high‑profile legal battle over prediction markets (notably Kalshi and Polymarket).

Dreitzer has prioritised modernising the board’s technology and regulatory processes so Nevada can move “at the speed of business.” He is pushing to better use the NGCB’s internal technology lab alongside recognised external test labs, and promoted Jeremy Eberwein to chief of technology as part of a people‑process‑regulation push. Industry groups from casino operators to equipment manufacturers have welcomed his collaborative, tech‑forward approach. Dreitzer is also open — cautiously — to regulated paths for prediction markets if they can fit within Nevada’s rules.

Key Points

Mike Dreitzer took over as NGCB chair in 2025, inheriting significant regulatory and economic challenges.
The board dealt with several multimillion‑dollar AML fines and is navigating an ongoing tourism downturn affecting Las Vegas.
Dreitzer is focused on modernising Nevada’s regulatory framework, with technology and faster, clearer processes a top priority.
He is leveraging the NGCB’s internal technology lab together with external labs (GLI, BMM) to speed approvals and improve technical standards.
Jeremy Eberwein was promoted to chief of technology to drive Dreitzer’s “people, process and proper regulation” agenda.
Industry bodies (Nevada Resort Association, AGEM) have praised Dreitzer’s collaborative style and technical engagement.
Prediction markets remain a legal flashpoint; Dreitzer says they currently conflict with state law but could be considered if a regulatory path is found.
Board turnover has been high (Dreitzer is the fifth chair since 2019); he is interested in a full term to provide stability.

Context and relevance

This is a timely piece for anyone tracking US gaming regulation, supplier strategy or Nevada’s competitive positioning. Regulators worldwide are being pushed to modernise tech stacks and approval processes to keep pace with fast‑moving products — Dreitzer’s agenda reflects that broader trend. The Kalshi/Polymarket litigation also makes Nevada a focal point in deciding how new prediction‑market models will be treated across jurisdictions.

For operators and suppliers, the practical implications matter: clearer, faster approvals and a better‑resourced state lab could make Nevada more attractive for launches and testing. Conversely, continued legal and economic shocks (AML enforcement, tourism decline) could reshape commercial behaviour and product offerings in the state.

Why should I read this?

Short: if you work in gaming, regulation, or supply tech — read this. We’ve skimmed the long bits so you don’t have to. Dreitzer’s tech push and openness to regulated innovation could change how quickly new products get to market in Nevada, and the Kalshi saga could set legal precedents that ripple across the US. Basically, it’s one of those must‑watch regulatory stories for 2026.