Brian Sandoval, the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, announced today that he will step down from the position on Aug. 1.
Sandoval played a vital role in this summer's passage of a bill that sets the framework for the regulation and legalization of online gambling in the state. For that reason, and for his overall support of regulation over prohibition, he is considered to be a friend to the industry.
The loss for the industry may only be temporary, however, as it is rumored that he wants to run for the office of Nevada attorney general.
Sandoval, 37, a Reno lawyer and rising Republican star, formally announced his resignation at Thursday's Gaming Commission meeting in Las Vegas. He's been on the commission for three years and served as its chairman the past two.
GOP Gov. Kenny Guinn, who appointed Sandoval to the position of chairman in April 1999, must now fill the vacancy. He hasn't yet named anyone.
Current Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa, a Democrat, has not formally announced whether she'll seek a fourth term, but she's not expected to run.
Sandoval, a former two-term assemblyman from Reno, has done little to squash speculation of his next political move.
He said that he isn't announcing his candidacy for Del Papa's job at this time, but he told the Associated Press that he's "giving it serious consideration."
Although his focus politically the last couple of years has been on gaming, Sandoval said he's more than qualified for the state's attorney general job.
"It's a job I would like to do," he said. "I have strong qualifications." He pointed to 12 years of experience in private law practice in which he handled all types of cases inside and outside the courtroom.
He also said that he's resigning now so there won't be any hint that future decisions by the commission might be tied to politics. He said he has not talked to anybody in the gaming business about his running for state office, although he has been asked a few times.
Sandoval said his decision to leave was easy to make knowing the commission was in good hands with those who currently sit on the board. He said it is in a "strong position" to meet future challenges, such as Internet gambling, casino salons and a review of the regulations on monopolies in the industry.
Del Papa told the Las Vegas Review Journal that Sandoval's decision would not affect hers. She denied rumors out of her office that she won't run again.
"I'm not ready to make an announcement," she said, adding that she's uncertain of whether she'll run for a fourth term.
In addition to chairing the gaming commission Sandoval has stayed busy as a Reno-based
attorney. He said he will meet with his friends and family before making a decision to run on
the GOP ticket for attorney general. He mentioned, though, that he expected a final decision to be made in a couple of weeks to get things in place for the primary scheduled in September 2002.
Regardless of whether Sandoval runs, if Del Papa chooses to not seek a fourth term, the attorney general race could be very interesting.
Other Nevada politicians said to be eyeing Del Papa's job are Sen. Mark James, R-Clark 8, and Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Clark 8, both of whom contemplated the post four years ago.
Another possible GOP contender, Scott Scherer, lost to Del Papa in 1998. He's now serving on the state Gaming Control Board, following a stint as Guinn' s chief of staff.
Sandoval was elected to the Assembly for Washoe District 25 in 1994 and re-elected once before resigning in April 1998 to be appointed to the commission by then-Gov. Bob Miller.
In his two-years as chairman of the commission, Sandoval has been a key leader in several important movements, including the establishment of regulations for themed slot machines; the implementation of restrictions on neighborhood casinos and the development of policy to help problem gambling. Most recently, he has played an important role in the fight to retain legalized betting on college sports.
He has also served as the chairman of the Gaming Policy Review Panel, which tackled the locating of casinos in Spring Valley and North Las Vegas in Clark County.
The five-member commission oversees Nevada's multibillion-dollar casino industry. It handles casino licensing matters, adopts new regulations and rules in work permit appeal cases.
Sandoval graduated from Bishop Manogue High School and the University of Nevada, Reno. He received his law degree from Ohio State.