Biography

Becky Harris is an internationally recognized expert on gaming policy and regulation, legislative affairs, and workplace sexual harassment prevention. The published author is also credentialed by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists.

Harris is often called upon to serve as a public speaker, media source, and industry advisor on policy and regulatory issues relating to legal sports wagering. As an academic fellow with an emphasis in the study of sports betting, Harris collaborated with stakeholders to finalize the formation, launch, and first convening of the U.S. Sports Betting Forum, an outlet designed to provide a neutral forum in which stakeholders can convene to discuss policy and regulatory issues.  

She also served as the first female chair of Nevada Gaming Control Board, regarded as the gold standard in gaming regulation worldwide. During her tenure, she helped guide the board through a number of controversial matters including sexual harassment issues within the industry and the #MeToo movement, challenges involving the legalization of recreational cannabis and its relationship to gaming regulation, the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the emergence of sports betting across the United States, and various Wire Act issues.  

In addition to teaching courses on gaming law and policy, resort hotel casino law, and anti-money laundering (AML) for gaming lawyers at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law, Harris regularly educates gambling regulators to ensure they have the information, knowledge, and tools necessary to asses and improve policy and regulation in their respective jurisdictions. She has also served as a fellow with International Center for Gaming Regulation at UNLV.

Harris represented State Senate District 9 in Clark County for two legislative sessions and two special sessions. During the 2017 Legislative Session, she served on the Finance, Judiciary and Education Committees. In 2015, she served as chair of the Education Committee, vice chair of the Judiciary Committee and as a member of the Commerce, Labor, and Energy Committees. Additionally, she served as the treasurer of the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States and was selected to chair its Responsible Gaming Committee.

While practicing law in Las Vegas, Harris' areas of focus included counseling business clients in entity formation, maintaining compliance with state and local regulations, contract negotiations, commercial leases, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution.