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Christopher Hebert
Chairman of the Board
Louisiana Gaming Control Board
From the small town of New Roads, Louisiana, to the helm of one of the nation’s most influential gaming regulatory bodies, Christopher Hebert’s career trajectory is a testament to perseverance, community dedication and strong leadership. The first African American Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, Hebert brings nearly two decades of gaming industry experience to a role that oversees billions in gaming revenue.
Major Achievements
Hebert’s career spans nearly two decades of leadership in Louisiana’s gaming industry and is marked by regulatory innovations and historic firsts, including becoming the first African American Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. Additionally, his tenure as Director of the Gaming Division at the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office saw him revolutionise regulator-operator relationships, transforming an adversarial dynamic into a collaborative partnership that has become a model for other jurisdictions.
One of Hebert’s most significant contributions to the gaming industry has been his work in responsible gaming initiatives. He was instrumental in creating the Problem Gambling Resource Services (PGRS) program, providing free treatment services to Louisiana residents and positioning the state as a national leader in addressing problem gambling.
His expertise has also earned him international recognition more generally, with speaking engagements at conferences worldwide and memberships for prestigious organisations including the International Masters of Gaming Law.
Employment
Born and raised in New Roads, Louisiana, Hebert learned the value of education and perseverance early on in life. An essay contest he won as a high school student took him to Washington, DC, igniting an interest in public service that would shape his life’s work. He carried this momentum into college, earning a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University before stepping into the world of law.
In 2000, Hebert enrolled at the Southern University Law Center. After earning his Juris Doctorate in 2003, Hebert’s early legal career gave him a front-row seat to the intricacies of Louisiana’s judicial system. He began as a clerk for Judge James Best at the 18th Judicial District Court, before joining the private sector at Gauthier, Houghtaling and Williams in Metairie.
A friend’s tip-off about an opportunity in the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office led him to pivot, unknowingly setting him on his decades-long journey in gaming law. Joining the AG’s Office in 2005, Hebert became immersed in gaming regulation by chance. He steadily rose through the ranks, becoming Section Chief of Litigation and Adjudications before being named Director of the Gaming Division in 2016 by then-Attorney General Jeff Landry, who is now the state’s governor.
As Director, Hebert led the charge to modernise Louisiana’s gaming oversight. Under his leadership, the Attorney General’s Office worked with the Louisiana Gaming Control Board to create the state’s sports wagering regulations – a milestone for Louisiana’s gaming landscape. Throughout this period, Hebert was an active advocate for responsible gaming. In 2018, he founded Problem Gambling Resource Services (PGRS), a partnership between the Gaming Division and the Department of Health, to ensure residents struggling with gambling addiction have access to free treatment and support.
In July 2024, Hebert’s two decades of experience culminated in his historic appointment as Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, making him the first African American to hold this position. As Chairman, he has continued to stand firm against illegal and unregulated gaming, recently taking aggressive action against offshore sweepstakes operators to try and protect Louisiana consumers and tax revenues.
Despite his demanding role, Hebert remains deeply rooted in his community and legal profession. He serves on the Louisiana Bar Foundation Board, the House of Delegates for the Louisiana State Bar Association and is a past Regional Director of the National Bar Association.
