March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month, and stakeholders from across the Commonwealth have been focused on how to collaborate to mitigate gambling-related harms. This work took center stage during a State House event hosted by Representative Adam Scanlon and Senator John Keenan, where MGC Chair Jordan Maynard and Director of Research and Responsible Gaming Mark Vander Linden offered remarks.

The event brought together regulators, legislators, and other key stakeholders to address strategies for minimizing potential harm to Commonwealth residents who may choose to gamble.

“The Commission is responsible for maximizing the benefits these industries bring to Massachusetts while minimizing the potential harms that exist. We accomplish this by prioritizing responsible gaming, player health, and compliance,” Maynard said. “Potential harms from gambling are real and need to be recognized by all stakeholders. However, it also must be recognized that there is demand for legal gaming options.”

During the event, Maynard and Vander Linden highlighted the critical importance of the Commission’s ongoing research. Vander Linden detailed how the MGC’s research agenda focuses on understanding gaming’s social and economic impacts while gathering scientific data on the psychology, sociology, epidemiology, and etiology of gambling. These findings directly inform policy development, regulatory frameworks, and program implementation while also providing metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the Commission’s responsible gaming initiatives.

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Vander Linden highlighted several reports published by the Commission: The 2024 Follow-up General Population Survey, the Massachusetts Gambling Impact Cohort, the Prevention Paradox, and the Asian Cares Report: Unpacking the Root Causes of Problem Gambling in the Asian Community. Many of those involved in or impacted by the research attended the event. These reports represent a fraction of the more than 80 reports accessible through the Commission’s website.

Maynard also addressed the rapidly evolving nature of the gaming industry and emphasized the importance of caution regarding emerging trends. Massachusetts lawmakers have filed several bills related to legalized gaming in the Commonwealth this session.

“The industries we oversee are consistently evolving, and there is always more work to do, and we couldn’t do that work without the support of the legislature and Governor. A major concern we still have is the saturation of advertising, and this has been tricky for states, not just ours, to manage,” Maynard said. “Media markets cross state lines and regulatory jurisdictions, and national broadcasts air in states that haven’t even legalized these forms of gambling. A national standard would help consumers, operators, and regulators.”

In his remarks, Maynard referenced the MGC’s latest revenue report, which revealed that the Commonwealth just passed the $2 billion mark in tax collections since casino operations began. Furthermore, sports wagering has generated nearly $255 million in revenue since its introduction.

“This revenue goes to fund the public health trust fund, the general fund, education, tourism and the cultural council, transportation and infrastructure projects, and workforce initiatives, to name a few areas,” Maynard said. “These funds are what the Commonwealth sought to repatriate from other jurisdictions and the black market.”

Photos from the event can be found below: