Brian O'Dwyer is an American attorney and public official who chairs the New York State Gaming Commission, the state regulator responsible for casinos, horse racing, and sports betting in New York. He also serves as a partner at O'Dwyer & Bernstien LLP, a firm associated with his family and with former New York City Mayor William O'Dwyer.
O'Dwyer was appointed to the commission as a commissioner in 2019 and became chairman in 2020. During his tenure as chairman, New York's licensed mobile sports betting market launched in January 2022, and O'Dwyer has been a leading public advocate for protecting the state's regulated racing and wagering framework from unregulated or out-of-state products.
Beyond sports betting, O'Dwyer has been involved in the legal controversy around Kalshi, the event-contract exchange. The Gaming Commission under his leadership has opposed Kalshi contracts it considers unlawful gambling operating outside New York's licensing system. His background combines legal practice with Democratic politics and thoroughbred racing, and he has been a prominent voice in the state's regulation of legal wagering.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| New York State Gaming Commission | Commissioner | 2019-01-01 – 2020-01-01 |
| New York State Gaming Commission | Chairman | – present |