IAGR/ Nevada Gaming Commission
- Founded
- 1959-01-01 in Carson City, Nevada, USA
- Headquarters
- 1910 College Parkway, Carson City, NV 89706, USA (shared with Nevada Gaming Control Board); satellite office at 555 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 2600, Las Vegas, NV 89101
The Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) is the highest administrative authority for gaming regulation in Nevada, established in 1959. Composed of five part-time commissioners appointed by the Governor, it serves as the final licensing authority for casinos, gaming manufacturers, key employees, and related entities, acting on recommendations from the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Commission sets policies on anti-money laundering compliance, technical standards for gaming devices, and maintains the state's "Black Book" of excluded persons. It holds monthly public meetings and has the power to impose fines and revoke licenses, with its decisions carrying significant economic weight in a state where the gaming industry generates over $15 billion annually. The NGC is also an active member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), a global non-profit that promotes best practices among gaming regulators, and current NGC Commissioner Brian Krolicki serves as IAGR Vice-President and is slated to become President in late 2026.
Detailed Review
History and Authority
The Nevada Gaming Commission was created by the Nevada State Legislature in 1959 as part of the Gaming Control Act, establishing a two-tier regulatory system alongside the Nevada Gaming Control Board (founded in 1955). The Commission has near-final authority over licensing decisions, subject to narrow judicial review. Its five commissioners are appointed by the Governor for staggered four-year terms, with one designated as chair.
Responsibilities and Activities
The Commission grants, denies, or conditions licenses for gaming operations, manufacturers, distributors, and key individuals. It imposes fines and sanctions for regulatory violations—for example, a $10.5 million fine against an international gaming operator in 2025. It also approves new gaming products and technical standards, such as slot machine software and online sports betting platforms, and enforces the Black Book of individuals banned from Nevada casinos due to criminal backgrounds. In recent years, the Commission has focused on modernizing anti-money laundering rules (Regulations 5 and 25), expediting technology approvals, and addressing esports wagering legalization.
Relationship with IAGR
The Nevada Gaming Commission is a member of the International Association of Gaming Regulators (IAGR), a non-profit founded in the late 1990s that supports gaming regulators from over 30 jurisdictions through conferences, training, and best-practice resources. IAGR does not issue licenses but facilitates collaboration. Commissioner Brian Krolicki is currently IAGR Vice-President and is scheduled to become its President in late 2026. The NGC and the Nevada Gaming Control Board both hold IAGR membership.
Governance and Staffing
The Commission itself consists of five part-time members plus administrative support. The broader Nevada Gaming Control Board, which conducts investigations and enforcement, employs approximately 600–700 personnel, but a separate headcount for the Commission alone is not published.
Key Products
AML Compliance Oversight
Enforces anti-money laundering rules (Regulations 5 and 25) for Nevada casinos.
Technical Standards Approval
Reviews and approves new slot machines, table game equipment, and online wagering platforms.
Black Book (List of Excluded Persons)
Publishes and enforces a list of individuals barred from entering Nevada gaming premises.
Licensing and Permitting
Centralized process for issuing casino, manufacturer, distributor, and key-employee licenses.
Enforcement and Disciplinary Actions
Investigates violations of gaming laws and imposes fines, suspensions, or revocations.
Key Persons
Brian KrolickiSpeaker