Former Pa. Gaming Control Board official joins Florham Park law practice

Kevin Hayes has joined Saiber LLC as a partner in the firm’s Gaming Law practice group, according to an announcement last week. Hayes brings over 15 years’ experience within the gaming industry, serving in leadership roles for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as well as representing gaming businesses in private practice.

“We are thrilled to have Kevin join our growing team,” said Jeremy Kleiman, chair of Saiber’s Gaming Law practice group. “Kevin’s practice will be invaluable to Saiber as we continue to strategically grow our practice to meet increasing market demands. His experience in private practice, as well as a regulator, make him a perfect fit for our team.”

Hayes joins Saiber from Doherty Hayes LLC, a boutique gaming law firm based in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he represented casinos, racetracks, gaming manufacturers, interactive online gaming operators, technology providers, sportsbook operators and video terminal operators in a variety of corporate, regulatory and compliance matters.

Prior to entering private practice, Hayes served as the first director of gaming operations for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, where he established and supervised the Bureau of Gaming Operations. As the director, he acted as the agency’s chief compliance officer and was responsible for reviewing and approving the gaming floor plans, internal controls and audit protocols of all licensed casinos in Pennsylvania. Hayes joined the PGCB in 2005 as an assistant chief counsel and, in 2007, he was appointed as head of the PGCB’s Opening Team, and supervised the successful openings of: Harrah’s Chester Casino and Racetrack; Presque Isle Downs and Casino; the Meadows Racetrack and Casino; Mount Airy Casino Resort; and Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course.

“Saiber has an outstanding track record in the gaming community,” Hayes said. “I look forward to working with such a well-respected group of attorneys and contributing to the firm’s growth and continued success.”