Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) is on its way to finding a replacement for the top seat. The Executive Director Ed Bedrosian’s resignation will take effect from January 10, 2020.
Bedrosian held that position since 2015. He oversaw a 90 person staff, which was instrumental in ensuring that MGC quickened the opening and running of casinos. Bedrosian told Boston Globe that he feels he has accomplished something and want to move on.
Bedrosian will return to a private international firm where he worked before joining MGC. MGC chair Cathy Judd-Stein praised Bedrosian, saying that his complex guiding ensured that the preparation and opening of MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor were successful.
Commission Changes
In 2019, MGC faced the most critical decision on whether Wynn Resorts should retain its casino license after details of sexual allegations emerged or not. The gaming giant had already paid $85 million to the state for a permit to operate a casino in region A. MGC, together with the Enforcement Bureau, conducted investigations to determine whether Wynn Resorts concealed any information about its founder’s sexual misconduct during its 2013 bidding for Boston casino.
The investigation found that executives had failed to abide by the company’s policies in reporting identified allegations. MGC fined Wynn Resorts $3.5 million but permitted the company to retain its Encore Boston Harbor license.
Interim Appointee
The current MGC director of investigation and enforcement bureau will be the acting director starting next week. Now the remaining critical issue facing MGC is what to do with the full-fledged casino resort in the southeastern part of the state.
According to Casino.org, MGC has directed its staff to carry out a feasibility study to determine whether an integrated resort can be built-in Region C, which consists of Bristol, Barnstable, Dukes, Nantucket, and Plymouth. However, there have been delays due to the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe’s proposed $1 billion casino.
