Reno Deputy City Attorney Appointed to Nevada Gaming Control Board

Nevada Gaming Control Board, Governor Joe Lombardo announced on Wednesday. Chandeni Sendall, who has worked in the civil division of Reno’s attorney’s office since 2015, will take over the position previously held by Brittnie Watkins. Watkins, who had served on the three-member board for four years, confirmed earlier this month that she would not seek another term.

A Legal and Industry Background

Sendall’s appointment brings a wealth of legal and regulatory experience to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Since ing the city of Reno’s attorney’s office, she has been involved in civil litigation and compliance matters. Her professional history also includes working in private practice in civil and commercial litigation, interning in the corporate legal department of Caesars Entertainment Inc., and serving as an internal auditor for the casino giant.

Governor Lombardo expressed confidence in her abilities, stating, “With her unique background in law and compliance, Chandeni will bring fresh insight and critical perspective to the Board. I look forward to her leadership and contributions to gaming oversight in our state.”

Sendall’s four-year term begins this week. The Nevada Gaming Control Board, which meets monthly—primarily in Las Vegas but occasionally in Carson City—is responsible for evaluating and making recommendations on gaming license applications before they reach the Nevada Gaming Commission.

The governor’s office has not disclosed Sendall’s salary, but according to Watkins’ 2025 financial disclosure, her annual earnings in the role were listed at $196,790.

Education and Career Path

Born in California but raised in Nevada, Sendall pursued both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics at the University of Nevada, Reno. During her time at UNR, she was a member of the Nevada Wolf Pack women’s golf team and actively participated in student ambassador programs, served as a graduate assistant in the Economics Department, and volunteered as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada.

After completing her graduate studies, she began her career in finance at Caesars Entertainment as an internal auditor. She later enrolled in the part-time evening program at the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV, where she served as the editor-in-chief of the UNLV Gaming Law Journal. During law school, she also worked as a summer associate at Travelers Insurance, gaining hands-on legal experience.

Reflecting on her early legal career, Sendall previously shared on LinkedIn, “My position with Caesars’ in-house legal department provided me an opportunity to learn a great deal about the legal issues that surround a major casino corporation. While working at Travelers Insurance, I had the opportunity to draft numerous legal pleadings, discovery requests, and attend mediations and depositions.”

Return to Northern Nevada

After earning her law degree in 2012, Sendall returned to Northern Nevada to clerk for retired Nevada Supreme Court Justice James Hardesty. Her role required her to research and draft legal memos on significant public policy issues and complex legal cases. She then transitioned into civil and commercial litigation at Lionel Sawyer & Collins before moving to McDonald Carano Wilson LLP in 2015. Later that year, she ed the Reno city attorney’s office, where she has remained until her appointment to the Control Board.

Sendall will work alongside Chairman Kirk Hendrick, who recently announced plans to step down after the 2025 legislative session, and retired Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge George Assad.

In an emailed statement, Sendall expressed her enthusiasm for the new position, stating, “I’m grateful to Gov. Lombardo for this opportunity to serve the state of Nevada. Along with my legal background, I look forward to applying my educational background in economics and my work experience in the gaming industry as I begin this new role at the Nevada Gaming Control Board.”

The Nevada Gaming Control Board plays a critical role in the state’s gaming industry, overseeing regulatory compliance and enforcing gaming laws. As part of its duties, the board investigates applicants for gaming licenses and ensures adherence to strict operational standards. The board’s enforcement division also serves as the law enforcement arm of the Nevada Gaming Commission, addressing violations and maintaining regulatory integrity.

Sendall’s extensive experience in gaming law, economics, and compliance positions her well to contribute to the board’s ongoing mission of maintaining Nevada’s reputation as the global leader in gaming regulation.

Source:

”Reno deputy city attorney named to Nevada Gaming Control Board”, cdcgaming.com, January 29, 2025.