Career
A.G. Burnett is Chair of McDonald Carano's Gaming & Administrative Law Practice. For nearly 20 years he served as a gaming regulator before joining McDonald Carano. A.G. clerked at McDonald Carano during law school. Due to his extensive experience working in and with regulatory agencies in Nevada and throughout the world, he is uniquely positioned to advise regulatory agencies, federal agencies and others in meeting and crafting regulatory standards, as well as represent gaming industry individuals, businesses and investors, including those in the rapidly developing areas of sports betting and Esports, in navigating regulatory requirements in Nevada and across international borders. Mr. Burnett also assists companies with their compliance programs and compliance obligations, and has served as an expert witness in a contested gaming-related tax matter.
Prior to joining McDonald Carano, Mr. Burnett was a member of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) since January 2011. Governor Brian Sandoval appointed A.G. to serve as Chairman in November 2012 and reappointed him in January 2015. A.G. served as Chairman from 2012 through 2017 and as a member of the Governor’s Gaming Policy Committee. During his service as Chairman of the NGCB, Mr. Burnett was the State’s primary representative before the Nevada Legislature on matters pertaining to the gaming industry and was also responsible for negotiation and oversight of compacts with sovereign tribal organizations having gaming operations in the State of Nevada. Prior to serving as NGCB Chairman and as a Member of the NGCB, Mr. Burnett was employed by the NGCB as Deputy Chief of the NGCB’s Corporate Securities Division where he oversaw regulatory and investigative activities concerning publicly traded companies and lenders involved in the gaming industry. During his service with the NGCB, he worked extensively with the regulators of other gaming jurisdictions on matters of shared interest relating to the gaming industry and its growth throughout the world.
Prior to his employment with the NGCB, Mr. Burnett served as Senior Deputy Nevada Attorney General representing the NGCB, the Nevada Gaming Commission, and the Nevada Commission on Sports. During that time, he handled litigation matters on behalf of Nevada’s regulatory authorities including disciplinary actions, tax disputes, and disputed licensing matters. From 2012 to 2015, he served as a Trustee and the Treasurer for the International Association of Gaming Regulators. He also serves as a member of the William S. Boyd School of Law Gaming Law Advisory Board. For six years, Mr. Burnett also served on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of Nevada’s Gaming Law Section.
Mr. Burnett provided testimony before the Nevada State Legislature and the U.S. Congress, and before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission regarding gaming in Asia. He spoke extensively in U.S. and international venues about gaming regulation, regulatory compliance, drafting legislation, and cooperation among worldwide gaming authorities. Mr. Burnett has also served in an advisory and consulting role to the American Gaming Association, specifically regarding the legalization and regulation of gaming and sports betting throughout the U.S. He provided strategic guidance to the AGA and its stakeholders such as state and federal legislators and regulators.
Mr. Burnett currently serves as Nevada Gaming Counsel (and advises regarding other matters including gaming policy and lobbying assistance, gaming licensing in other jurisdictions, mergers and acquisitions, and employment matters) and/or serves as an independent member of the Regulatory and Compliance Committee of gaming companies based in Australia, Japan, Korea, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom.
Professional Memberships
Independent Member, Board of Directors, Resorts World Las Vegas LLC
Member, Compliance Committee, Boomer’s Sportsbook
Member, Board of Directors, GBank Financial Holdings Inc.
Member, Nevada Advisory Committee, U.S. Global Leadership Coalition
Member, International Masters of Gaming Law
Member, International Association of Gaming Advisors (former member of Board of Trustees, former member of Regulator Relations Committee, former Chair of Governance Committee)
Member, Gaming Law Advisory Board, UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law
Publications
Quoted, “A decade after Nevada fought daily fantasy companies, it’s deja vu with Kalshi,” Indy Gaming/The Nevada Independent, March 25, 2026
Quoted, “Thailand blazes new regulatory trail,” iGaming Business, October 10, 2024
Interview, “Gaming Industry Outlook,” Nevada Newsmakers, August 2, 2022
Author, “Nevada Changes Restricted Gaming License Requirements for Individuals,” McDonald Carano Client Alert, February 28, 2022
Quoted, “Is Nevada The ‘Gold Standard’ For Casino Coronavirus Response?, Las Vegas Review-Journal, July 6, 2020
Quoted, “Nevada Regulation Changes on Sexual Harassment Reporting Start March 1,” CDC Gaming Reports, February 24, 2020
Interview, “Former gaming regulator A.G. Burnett on sports betting, industry trends,” Las Vegas Sun, September 16, 2020
Quoted, “Sports & Betting Legislation to Watch in 2020,” Law360, January 1, 2020
Quoted, “Former Gaming Regulator Says Nevada Is and Must Remain as the ‘Tip of the Spear’,” CDC Gaming Reports, April 18, 2019
Quoted, “The Differences Between Black and Gray Gambling Markets,” PlayUSA, April 17, 2019
Quoted, “DOJ’s Wire Act Reversal Disregards Existence of Effective State Regulation,” The Nevada Independent, January 27, 2019
Quoted, “Hottest Topic at G2E is the Expansion of Sports Wagering,” Las Vegas Review Journal, October 13, 2018
Quoted, “States Still Best Equipped to Regulate Sports Betting, Officials Say,” Gambling Compliance, October 3, 2018
Interview, “The future of sports betting; Interview with AG Burnett – Pt II,” World Casino News, May 30, 2018
Interview, “The future of sports betting; Interview with AG Burnett – Pt I,” World Casino News, May 29, 2018
Interview, “A.G. Burnett Reflects On Career In Gaming Regulation,” KNPR, January 5, 2018
Interview, GGB Podcast, Global Gaming Business, May 24, 2017
Quoted, “Nevada Gaming Control Board chairman Burnett leaving post,” Las Vegas Review Journal, December 11, 2017
