Bo Bernhard

Vice President of Economic Development
Professor, Sociology and Hospitality
Special Advisor, International Gaming Institute
Expertise: Gaming, Tourism, Problem Gambling, Sports Wagering

Biography

Bo Bernhard's research and teaching work focuses on the impacts of gaming and tourism industries on communities around the world. His grant-funded studies have supported more than a dozen student researchers who share his interest in examining the sociological laboratory of Las Vegas. He is currently exploring the long-term health of problem gamblers and Nevada’s regulated sports betting industry within the context of professional sports in Las Vegas. In addition, he has studied the health contours of multiethnic and multiracial individuals in the United States.

He began his research career at Harvard University, with an undergraduate thesis on the community impacts of the gaming and tourism industries in Nevada. He then came to UNLV to earn his Ph.D. and soon extended his analysis to global perspectives.

In 2010, he was named executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research Journal and a Lincy Fellow at UNLV’s Brookings Mountain West. Bernhard spent more than a decade as executive director of UNLV's International Gaming Institute (IGI) before transitioning in 2023 to serve full-time as UNLV vice president of economic development. He maintains his affiliation with IGI as special advisor.

His work on gambling, society, and Las Vegas has been prominently featured on CNN, The Discovery Channel, the BBC, and The History Channel.

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
  • B.A., Sociology, Harvard University
  • B.S., Psychology, Harvard University

Bo Bernhard In The News

Bangkok Post
Mr Bernhard, Vice President of Economic Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and Co-Founder of the International Responsible Gaming Alliance, visited Bangkok recently, meeting political bigwigs, economists, to encourage Thailand to jump on the casino bandwagon, and why it might have cause to regret the decision if it does not.
Bangkok Post
A great chance for Thailand to steal an advantage in lucrative sector for region.
K.S.N.V. T.V. News 3
The Lee Business School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, hosted the 2025 Nevada Business Hall of Fame event, celebrating influential business leaders in Las Vegas and their contributions to the local community.
Las Vegas Review Journal
Diaz was one of six Clark County School District students and two UNLV students who won a competition to have their Earth Day-themed artwork displayed on the Sphere. The students also won $10,000 for their schools’ art programs, and what drew some of the biggest cheers among students: tickets to the upcoming production of “The Wizard of Oz” at Sphere.

Articles Featuring Bo Bernhard

Mirage Resort
Campus News | August 1, 2024

Roundup of the hottest news headlines featuring UNLV students and staff.

The Las Vegas strip as seen on Super Bowl weekend (Josh Hawkins/UNLV).
Campus News | March 1, 2024

A collection of news stories and highlights featuring UNLV students and faculty.