Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry named Christopher Hebert as chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the first African-American to hold the position.
Herbert has served as state assistant attorney general for nearly 20 years, and director of the Gaming Division for eight years. Before that, he was section chief at the Litigation and Adjudications sections. Herbert will replace Ronnie Johns, who retired June 30 after nearly 40 years of public service for the state.
At the Attorney General’s Office, Herbert worked with the gaming board to create regulations for sports betting, which launched in January 2022. Herbert also was instrumental in creating the Louisiana Department of Justice’s Problem Gambling Resource Services program. Partnering with governmental health departments, this initiative has helped raise awareness of problem gambling and available treatment services.
Herbert stated, “I am both humbled and honored that Governor Landry has tapped me as the first African American chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and I vow to continue the hard work of previous chairmen in ensuring that gaming is free from criminal and corrupt elements.
“We will continue to regulate in a fair manner which ensures that our gaming licensees are able to operate in an environment that generates healthy revenue for the state through economic development. Proper regulation of the gaming industry is crucial at a time in which gaming revenue continues to be a substantial part of our state’s economy.”
Herbert is a board member of the Louisiana Bar Foundation and a House of Delegates member for the Louisiana State Bar Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a law degree from Southern University Law Center.
