Massachusetts Gaming Commission Appoints Bruce Band Director of Sports Wagering

BOSTON, MA (February 7, 2023) — The Massachusetts Gaming Commission announced Thursday that longtime gaming industry professional Bruce Band has been tapped to lead the Commission’s newly established Sports Wagering Division. Band has served the Commission as Assistant Director of the 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 & 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.

“Director Band has an extensive background in gaming and regulatory work that he brings to this new, integral position.” Executive Director Wells said. “We are excited to have Director Band take on this important role that will help the Commission in its work to promulgate and regulate sports wagering for the people of the Commonwealth.”

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, in his role at the MGC.

SOURCE: Massachusetts Gaming Commission.