Nevada’s top gaming regulator not a fan of pot
By J.D. Morris, Las Vegas Sun
Nevada’s top gaming regulator hasn’t made his professional career in the casino industry or in the law, but he’s plenty experienced with both of those fields anyway.
A doctor by trade, Tony Alamo is the first non-attorney to serve as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, the body that has the final say over regulatory matters that concern gambling in the state. Other parts of his background give him an understanding of gambling and regulatory affairs: His father was a longtime casino industry executive, and Alamo previously served on the state Athletic Commission.
Alamo joined the commission as a member in 2008, then he was appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to replace Chairman Peter Bernhard last summer. In the half-year since he took over the chairmanship, Alamo has led the commission’s meetings on several high-profile gaming developments, including the opening of the SLS Las Vegas and concerns about the background of Sam Nazarian, the businessman who led the creation of SLS.