Gambling is incredibly important to Nevada’s economy, but not as important as keeping it safe from the COVID-19 pandemic. For that reason, Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) Chairman Tony Alamo has written his letter of resignation to Governor Steve Sisolak, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports.

Alamo, who has served as a gaming regulator for 12 years, is also a physician. During this critical time, he feels it’s slightly more important he apply his medical background. Alamo’s last day on the commission will be April 17. His term was originally scheduled to end on April 27, and he had earlier indicated he would not seek a fourth term on the commission.

He wrote to Sisolak that it “has been the ultimate privilege for me to be part of the regulatory process for the past 19 years for the state of Nevada, the state in which I was born and raised.” But with lives now being at stake, he noted: “it’s time for me to be a doctor.”

Alamo previously served on the Nevada State Athletic Commission, sanctioning the 2007 fight between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather in 2007.