Bo Bernhard, the chief director of the International Gaming Institute on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was recently named to the Philip G. Satre Chair in Gaming Studies on the University of Nevada, Reno. This appointment means both Nevada universities will interact to collaboratively offer the world’s most sought-out gaming studies programs.

Bernhard replaces the late Bill Eadington within the appointment to the Satre Chair. Eadington, the pioneer of industrial gaming studies, last held the Satre Chair position until his death in 2013.

Eadington was an economist and probably the most first academics to check gambling. He was the founding father of the Institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming on the University of Nevada, Reno where he worked and taught for 44 years. During his time on the University, Eadington founded the chief Development Program in 1990 and the International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking in 1974 – referred to now because the Eadington Conference, in step with Bernhard.

“Being named the Satre Chair is the consideration of a life-time due to the role of my mentor,” Bernhard said. “Bill was one of the most kindest, most generous people – with the center of an educator, he always, always said yes. He took the time to talk with everyone, share his knowledge and teach what he knew without reference to who it was or where they were from. As a naïve undergraduate fascinated about learning more about gambling, all over my doctoral program and beyond, Bill was an out of this world mentor to me.”

Bernhard began his research career at Harvard University where, as an undergraduate, he completed a double major in sociology and psychology. Bernhard originally approached Eadington when considered one of his former professors attended a soccer game Bernhard was playing in and learned from the starting lineup announcements that Bernhard was from Nevada. The professor suggested he study gambling, and Bernhard quickly discovered that Bill Eadington had written nearly everything he had to know at the topic. He then reached out to Eadington for help and shortly received a package within the mail. The remaining is history: Bernhard’s magna cum laude thesis at the community impacts of gaming and industry in Nevada, was the root for analyses that experience since been presented on all six inhabited continents. After earning his Ph.D. in 2002, Bernhard was named the inaugural research director at IGI, and in 2011, he became IGI’s executive director.

In his new role because the Philip G. Satre Chair in Gaming Studies, Bernhard will maintain his position at UNLV. He's going to continue to facilitate the world-renowned Executive Development Program, held in Lake Tahoe each fall, which Bernhard and University of Nevada, Reno, College of industrial Dean Greg Mosier brought both universities together to collaborate. EDP is understood globally as gaming’s most prestigious leadership development academy. Because the Satre Chair, Bernhard can even continue to develop the gaming minor on the University of Nevada, Reno and can spend time in Reno developing courses.

“This is the quintessential bridge linking the 2 great universities of Nevada,” said Tom Piechota, vice chairman of the Division of analysis and Economic Development at UNLV. “The work UNLV and the University of Nevada, Reno, do together within the field of gaming will continue to foster the state’s reputation as a pace-setter on this area.”

Before his passing, Eadington asked his mentee to take over both EDP and the International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking.

“Bo has continuously worked to collaborate with the school of commercial with regards to gaming,” Mosier said. “His efforts throughout his time in Nevada were never in silos. He’s an out of this world person and an amazing asset to have within the state.”

Eadington’s family was in attendance on the International Conference on Gaming & Risk Taking this month, when the Satre Chair announcement was made, making the appointment all of the more special for Bernhard.

“My family and that i are delighted Bo was chosen because the second recipient of the Satre Chair,” said Margaret Eadington, wife of the late gaming pioneer. “As Bill’s chosen successor, there's no better person to receive this honor than Bo.” 

“I’m thrilled to continue the work that my mentor and that i started, and that i will strive to make both universities happy with all that we do together,” Bernhard said.

When asked in regards to the diversification in Nevada’s economy and what it means for the way forward for gaming, Bernhard is quick to give an explanation for how relevant gaming remains within the Silver State.

“Certainly what we’re seeing is diversification within and across the gaming-hospitality industry,” Bernhard said. “However, gaming is a more formidable economic force than it ever has been, and not in human history have more people had more how you can gamble than they do today. Gambling remains a long-standing human activity, and as Bill would say, it deserves our educational attention.”

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]