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Massachusetts Regulator to Search for New Director, Edward Bedrosian Steps Down on January 10

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission is in for a new Executive Director after its current top staffer, Edward Bedrosian, announced his intentions to step down from his position next week. Mr. Bedrosian is to leave the Commission for a new job at the San Francisco-based law firm Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe where he worked before he joined the regulatory body back in 2015.

The soon-to-be former director has accepted a position related to the sports wagering industry. In a statement, Mr. Bedrosian explained he has accomplished all the goals he set for himself when he first joined the regulatory authority. He is now excited about the new opportunities in the gaming sector that would come with the sports betting expansion the US is currently witnessing.

The Commission oversees gambling operations in the Bay State and has ninety staff members, supervised by Mr. Bedrosian, whose decisions help shape its policies. Among the responsibilities of the staff members is to collect information that forms the foundation of many major regulatory decisions.

The members of the Commission are also responsible for enforcing state gambling law. They vet staffers and new technology but also look into allegations of misconduct.

Mr. Bedrosian Was Instrumental for the Launch of Springfield and Everett Casinos

Mr. Bedrosian became part of the regulatory body shortly after the opening of the slot parlor in Plainville’s Plainridge Park Casino in 2015.

The gambling landscape in the Bay State has changed a lot since then. Massachusetts’ first two full-service gambling venues opened doors to customers in the towns of Springfield and Everett, giving a good push to the state’s expanding gaming industry.

Then again, last year’s opening of the Encore Boston Harbor was also quite taxing for Mr. Bedrosian’s staff members. The regulatory body had to conduct extensive investigations into allegations made against gambling-industry kingpin, Mr. Steve Wynn.

The founder of Encore’s parent company Wynn Resorts was accused of sexual misconduct, which threatened to ruin the $2.6-billion casino’s prospects of opening doors to Everett customers. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission stepped in and allowed the parent company to retain its license.

However, Wynn Resorts had to pay a massive fine of $35 million while its founder was forced to resign from the company at the beginning of 2018 although he denied the allegations made against him were true.

According to the Commission’s Chair Cathy Judd-Stein, Mr. Bedrosian played a major role in the successful launch of both Encore Boston Harbor and MGM Springfield.

Deputy Director Karen Wells Steps in as Interim Replacement

With three operational gambling venues in the state, the regulatory body has yet to decide on whether or not to grant a license for a fourth casino in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Mr. Bedrosian is the second Executive Director of the Commission after Rick Day, who held the position from 2013 to 2015. After Bedrosian officially leaves on January 10, 2020, he will be temporarily substituted by current Deputy Director Karen Wells until they find a permanent replacement.

His new position in the private sector has to do with advocating for people who are interested in learning more about the regulations in states with pending sports betting. The Bay State legislature has yet to decide whether to allow for legal wagering on sports.

However, local laws prohibit Mr. Bedrosian from advocating before the regulatory body for at least a year. Former top-position employees also cannot start jobs with licensees or applicants for at least two years after leaving the Commission.



 Author: Harrison Young

Harrison Young is an experienced writer, who started his career almost 8 years ago. Prior to joining our team at CasinoGamesPro, he worked as an editor for a small magazine.
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