Jordan Maynard has been reappointed as commissioner and chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) for a second five-year term.
Maynard was initially appointed commissioner in 2022 by a joint appointment of then-Governor Charlie Baker, then-Attorney General Maura Healey, and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.
In March 2024, Governor Healey designated Maynard as interim chair and then as full time chair in October of the same year.
Since joining the Commission, he has played a pivotal role in successfully rolling out sports wagering, enhancing consumer experiences, and continuing to support responsible gaming initiatives focused on player health to protect players in the Commonwealth.
Maynard also spearheads the MGC’s involvement in the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Youth Sports Betting Safety Initiative, working with statewide partners to combat underage sports wagering while creating a curriculum to educate youth on the potential harms of unsafe gambling.
“I am humbled and honored to be reappointed as commissioner and to continue serving as chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission and I am grateful for the trust the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Treasurer have placed in me,” said Maynard. “The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is the model gaming regulatory agency in the country because of the dedicated staff and my fellow commissioners.
“Working closely with our licensed operators we strive to make legal gaming in Massachusetts safe, responsible, and accountable to the people of the Commonwealth. I look forward to continuing this work and addressing the ongoing efforts to maintain the strongest consumer and player protections.”
Last week the state gambling regulator launched its newly rebranded player health and responsible gaming program, PlayWell.
Replacing GameSense, PlayWell branding now features across all casinos and sports wagering platforms, and is a resource for all customers to stay informed, aware, and in control of their gambling.
Program administration is managed by the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health.
“When gaming was legalized in the Commonwealth it was essential to build a world-class research, responsible gaming and player health program to ensure the industry’s viability,” said Maynard. “For over a decade, the Commission has worked with stakeholders, elected leaders, operators, and patrons to build a library of knowledge around gambling harms and player health, and launching this new program, which is developed, owned and operated by the MGC will allow the Commission to have a greater impact on Massachusetts residents in need of support.”
MGC director of research and responsible gaming Mark Vander added: “PlayWell is designed with the needs of Massachusetts gamblers in mind. Backed by research and evaluation, PlayWell advisors deliver timely and relevant tips, information and resources to patrons in the casino or online.”