The Massachusetts Gaming Commission today announced the appointment of Bruce Band to lead the Commission’s newly established Sports Wagering Division. Band, a longtime gaming industry professional, has served the MGC as Assistant Director of Investigations & Enforcement Bureau and Gaming Agents Division Chief since 2014.
As Director of Sports Wagering, Band will be the head of the MGC’s Sports Wagering Division and will coordinate with other divisions within the MGC including Research and Responsible Gaming, IT, Legal, and the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau.
“Bruce has been an essential member of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission team for nearly a decade and on behalf of my fellow commissioners, I am thrilled he will be taking on this new role leading our sports wagering division,” said MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein. “Because Bruce has been working closely on the implementation of sports wagering already, he won’t miss a beat as he begins his new responsibilities and prioritizes the integrity of sports wagering and the safety of patrons here in the Commonwealth.”
The Massachusetts State Legislature passed, and former Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation legalizing sports wagering in August 2022. Retail wagering is set to launch at Encore Boston Harbor, MGM Springfield, and Plainridge Park Casino on January 31 and online/mobile wagering is slated to begin in March.
Through his current role with the MGC, Band has been an active member of the team working to stand up sports wagering in the Commonwealth. Moving forward he is tasked with leading these efforts while reporting to Executive Director Karen Wells and the Commissioners.
Band has over 45 years of regulatory and casino operations experience having opened nearly 20 casinos in New Jersey and Massachusetts. He has served in various roles at the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, as a casino industry consultant, and most recently his role at the MGC.
https://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article/massachusetts-gaming-commission-appoints-bruce-band-the-director-of-sports-wagering-249710