Becky Harris is a Distinguished Fellow in Gaming and Leadership with the International Gaming Institute at UNLV. In this capacity, Harris works with regulators, operators, academics, and other stakeholders on a host of gaming and leadership related issues and projects. Harris created Winning With Words (W3), a peer-to-peer (P2P) competitive game of skill. W3 was launched in December of 2019 and is offered on a P2P skill-based game platform for fun or for monetary prize pools. Having developed, launched and marketed a skill-based game, Harris understands the complexities of skill-based gaming.

While at UNLV’s International Center for Gaming Regulation (ICGR), as an academic fellow with an emphasis in the study of sports betting, Harris collaborated with stakeholders on behalf of the ICGR 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 relating to legal sports wagering.

Harris finished her term as Chairwoman of Nevada Gaming Control Board in 2019 and was the first woman to hold the position. She guided the Board through a number of controversial matters; including, the repeal of PASPA, the emergence of sports betting across the United States, and various Wire Act issues.

Harris was elected to the Nevada State Senate in 2014, representing Nevada’s Ninth District. She served for two legislative sessions and two special sessions. Her experience includes serving as chair of the Senate Education Committee, as well as a member of the Senate Judiciary, Finance, Education, and Commerce, Labor & Energy Committees. An active member of the National Organization of Legislators from Gaming States (NCGLS), an association of lawmakers from across the country in states with legalized gambling, Harris chaired the Responsible Gaming Committee and served as Treasurer. Harris also served as Nevada’s State Director for Women in Government and is a Henry Toll Fellow.