State Treasurer appoints Nakisha Skinner as Commissioner to MGC for 5-year term

The Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General today announced Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has appointed Nakisha Skinner to serve a five-year term as commissioner for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Skinner, currently the MGC’s Licensing Division Chief, will begin her new role on March 21, 2022.

MGC Chair Cathy Judd-Stein released the following statement after the announcement was made:   

“I am delighted to learn of the appointment of our respected colleague, Nakisha Skinner, as Commissioner of the MGC. Having worked with Nakisha as our chief of licensing I know the dedication, experience, and passion that she brings to her work. An appointment of a new commissioner so familiar with the issues facing the MGC will allow a seamless transition. I look forward to continuing to serve with Nakisha in her new role and am thankful to the Treasurer for making this appointment.” 

About Nakisha Skinner

Nakisha Skinner joined the Massachusetts Gaming Commission as its Licensing Division Chief in November 2020. She oversaw vendor and employee licensing and registration, and alcohol beverage licensing operations. As the primary point of contact for casinos’ human resources and compliance departments, she focused on delivering high-quality customer service, ensuring compliance with licensing regulations, policies and procedures, and enhancing the Licensing Management System. 

Skinner has more than 20 years in state and local government administration. Before her most recent role with the MGC, she served as General Counsel to the Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance. She previously held several positions at the Boston Public Health Commission, including General Counsel. 

>>> Read the announcement from the Office of the Treasurer and Receiver General

She earned her Juris Doctor at Suffolk University Law School and her Certificate of Human Services Leadership and Management and Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Law at Suffolk University. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association and the Massachusetts Black Women Attorneys, where she also served as an officer. In 2016, she was awarded the distinction of In-House Leader of the Law by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. 

About the Massachusetts Gaming Commission

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission was created after “An Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth” was signed into law on November 22, 2011. The Commission is a five-member independent body that is responsible for developing and managing the process to select, license, oversee and regulate all expanded gaming facilities in the Commonwealth. The costs associated with operating the state’s gaming commission is paid for by the gaming industry and not by Massachusetts tax dollars. 

The Chair of the Commission is appointed by the Governor, one member is appointed by the Attorney General (whose appointee must have a background in criminal investigations and law enforcement), and one member is chosen by the State Treasurer (whose appointee must be proficient in corporate finance and securities). The remaining two commissioners are appointed by a majority vote of the same three constitutional officers. 

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