Harlan Goodson - Extended Bio
Harlan is the former Director of California’s Division of Gambling Control where he developed a national reputation as one of the country’s most respected and knowledgeable state gaming regulators. In just 4 ½ years, Harlan oversaw the growth of the Division from a legislative concept to an organization with over 150 employees and offices in Sacramento and San Diego, California.
During his tenure, Harlan was instrumental in the implementation of California’s Tribal-State Class III gaming compacts. This work earned him the respect and trust of tribal leaders and tribal gaming regulators throughout the state.
Harlan’s biography was published in the 2000 edition of Who’s Who in American Law and in 2002 his work gained him international distinction when he was the recipient of the International Masters of Gaming Law inaugural Regulator of the Year award. Prior to forming his own law practice, Harlan was with the national law firm of Holland and Knight, LLP where his practice concentrated on Gaming Law and Gaming Regulation and Governmental Affairs. He is currently listed in The Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in Gaming Law. Prior to being appointed to the position of, Director of the Division of Gambling Control, Mr. Goodson worked in the California State Senate as a legislative consultant for then-President Pro Tempore, Senator Bill Lockyer.
While serving as a consultant in the state legislature, Mr. Goodson drafted legislation in the areas of criminal law, correctional law, juvenile law, and insurance law. Additionally, he was on the state-wide task force for revising California’s laws pertaining to driving under the influence. He was a member of the Governor’s Advisory Panel to the California Earthquake Authority, and he was appointed to serve on the very first Governing Board of the California Earthquake Authority which was established to provide residential earthquake insurance coverage throughout the state. Finally, Mr. Goodson was lead consultant in the drafting of landmark legislation creating the California Habeas Resource Center for the timely handling of death penalty cases.
Mr. Goodson has been an adjunct law professor teaching classes on the legislative process and statutory interpretation. He has been a national speaker at conferences, symposia, law schools, and before governmental bodies on the subjects of gaming regulation, Tribal government gaming, and Tribal-State relations. Mr. Goodson is a member of the California State Bar, the International Masters of Gaming Law, the International Association of Gaming Lawyers and the International Association of Gaming Regulators. Mr. Goodson also serves as a Judge Pro Tem for the Superior Court in Sacramento, California. He is the founder and owner of The Law Office of Harlan W. Goodson in Sacramento, California.
Additional Information
February 2008
ISGA welcomes four new members. Tournament Games, Game Colony, Quiz Art and Trivya join the association.
November 2007
ISGA Provides Written
Testimony to House Judiciary Committee
October 2007
Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Department of Treasury
Proposed rule to implement the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act
August 2007
The world’s leading interactive skill games companies, FUN Technologies Inc. (TSX:FUN) (AIM:FUN), and King.com, Inc., announce the formation of the Interactive Skill Games Association (ISGA)