HARRISBURG — Tad Decker, who oversaw the birth of the state's slot machine industry as the first chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, said Wednesday he is leaving the job after one term to return to his former law firm.

Soon after Decker's announcement, Gov. Ed Rendell said he is promoting gaming board member Mary DiGiacomo Colins to replace Decker and appointing James Ginty, the former Pennsylvania president of AT&T Inc., to the board.

Decker, 61, will step down Aug. 9 to take over as president and chief executive officer of Philadelphia-based Cozen O'Connor. Decker was the firm's managing partner three years ago when Rendell, his college pal, appointed him chairman of the fledgling agency.

"Has it been an easy endeavor? Obviously not. And have there been moments where I thought I was crazy to accept it? Absolutely," Decker said. "But no task that carries such monumental and sustaining rewards can be expected to be easy."

In his new job at one of the state's biggest law firms, Decker likely will make many times the $150,000 annual salary he drew while steering the gaming board through the licensing of 11 slots casinos and choosing between some of the nation's top casino developers.