A.G. Burnett

Practice Areas

Gaming & Administrative Law

Career

A.G. Burnett is a Partner in the Gaming & Administrative Law Group with McDonald Carano. For nearly 20 years he served as a gaming regulator before joining McDonald Carano. 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 served as the Chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) 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 has provided testimony and has spoken extensively on matters relating to gaming regulation, cooperation among gaming authorities, regulatory compliance, and current developments in the gaming industry throughout the United States and various international venues. Mr. Burnett currently serves 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. In this role, he provides strategic guidance to the AGA and its stakeholders such as state and federal legislators and regulators.

Awards & Recognitions

Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Band 1 in Gaming & Licensing Law/Nevada and Band 2 in Gaming & Licensing Law/US-Nationwide (2021-2024)

Business Today – Top 10 Influential Nevada Gaming & Licensing Lawyers (2023)

The Best Lawyers in America – Gaming Law (2020-2024)

The Best Lawyers in America – “Lawyer of the Year” in Gaming Law (2020, 2023)

The Best Lawyers in America – Administrative and Regulatory Law (2022-2024)

Nevada Business Magazine – “Legal Elite/Top Rank Attorneys” (2023)

Lawyer Monthly, Legal Awards 2021, Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year USA (2021)

International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL) – “Outstanding Achievement Award for the Americas” (2018)

Professional Memberships

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

Personal

Community Engagement

Member, Board of Directors, Northern Nevada HOPES

Member, Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo’s Tourism, Gaming and Sports Working Committee

Work Highlights

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. Mr. Burnett served as Nevada Gaming Counsel to Hard Rock International in its December 13, 2021 agreement to acquire the operations of The Mirage Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $1.075 billion and enter into a long-term lease agreement with VICI Properties Inc. for the real estate property of The Mirage.