Massachusetts Gaming Commission appoints interim director following Karen Wells' departure
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) has named a successor to Executive Director Karen Wells.
Last month, Wells announced her plans to leave the MGC after a decade in the role, which included leading the gaming regulator's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Wells joined MGC in 2013, initially leading the agency’s Office of Investigations and Enforcement.
After serving two terms as interim executive director, Wells was permanently appointed to the position in September 2020. Wells' departure was effective Wednesday after the MGC appointed her interim successor.
Todd Grossman, an 11-year MGC veteran who served as general counsel to the Gaming Commission and led the legal department, has been named interim executive director. The executive director oversees the agency's staff and reports to the three MGC commissioners, with Chair Cathy Judd-Stein at the helm of the government organization.
Grossman follows Wells's path
A biography provided by MGC shows Grossman's origins are similar to those of his predecessor. Like Wells, Grossman earned a law degree and his first job out of college was with the Middlesex District Attorney's Office. Wells also began her career as a Middlesex Assistant District Attorney.
Before joining the MGC in 2012, Grossman became one of the first commissioners on the Massachusetts Athletic Commission, which regulates boxing and mixed martial arts in the commonwealth.
While serving as senior legal counsel to the MGC, Grossman provided advice to commissioners and staff on a variety of issues related to the oversight and management of the MGC's mission.
gentlemen. Grossman contributed to the development and implementation of new regulations and policies governing the gambling licensing process and ultimately casino regulation, and participated in the development of an improved code of ethics for Casino Commission commissioners and staff, "MGC - to Grossman Detailed explanation of Mann's experience.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission employs more than 100 people who work to “create a fair, transparent and participatory process to implement the expanded gaming laws,” the MGC’s mission statement states.
Double Duty
MGC commissioners voted to appoint Grossman interim executive director at their July 12 meeting. He will continue to serve as general counsel. MGC has launched a nationwide search for Wells' permanent successor.
Wells' successor will have a huge chip on his shoulder. While serving as executive director of the MGC's Bureau of Investigations and Enforcement, Wells oversaw the opening of three commercial brick-and-mortar casinos in the state.
Plainridge Park is a slot machine casino that opened in 2015. The Commonwealth's two resort casinos, MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, opened in August 2018 and June 2019, respectively.
After sexual misconduct allegations against Steve Wynn came to light in early 2018, an investigative team faced a daunting task in reviewing Wynn Resorts' casino license. The MGC decided to allow Wynn Resorts to retain its state-issued gaming license for Encore Boston Harbor after Wynn resigned and left his namesake company, and the company agreed to pay a record $35 million fine.
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Source: www.casino.org
