Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn appointed Las Vegas lawyer Peter C. Bernhard as chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission on Monday.
Bernhard will take the place of former Chairman Brian Sandoval, who resigned Aug. 1 to pursue the office of attorney general. Bernhard will serve the remainder of Sandoval’s four-year term, which expires on Aug. 27, 2003. At that time he could be reappointed by the governor.
Bernhard, whose appointment is effective immediately, is a partner in the law firm Bernhard & Leslie in Las Vegas. Until his appointment on the gaming commission, he was chairman of the Nevada State Ethics Commission, a position he resigned in order to join the gaming commission.
How Bernhard’s appointment will affect online gambling remains unclear. He could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.
A Nevada resident since 1952, Bernhard holds degrees from Harvard University and George Washington Law School. In light of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Gov. Guinn said he is confident Bernhard will make a strong addition to the gaming commission.
“Given the new era and challenging issues facing the state’s largest industry, I have every confidence Peter will continue the strong leadership this commission has displayed over many decades,” he said. “Peter has built a reputation as a bright, fair-minded and judicious person and I know he will serve the gaming commission well.”
The chairman of the gaming commission receives a part-time salary of $55,000.