Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard Gets 2nd Term

By Bill Speros

Mar 30th, 2026 10:43 AM EDT

Massachusetts Gaming Commission chair Jordan Maynard has been appointed to a second five-year term as commissioner and re-designated as chair. The joint appointment comes from Gov. Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell and Treasurer Deborah Goldberg.

This gives the Commission stability at the top. It continues to regulate the Commonwealth's legal sports betting, racing, and casino industry. Maynard's reappointment took effect March 25 but was announced Monday.

Maynard, first appointed to the MGC in 2022, has served as chair since October 2024. He after initially stepped in as interim chair following the retirement of Cathy Judd-Stein. The Commission became the first regulatory body in the nation last year to deal with player limits. Often, sports books limit or ban players who win too much. The MGC now requires all operators to notify patrons when and why they were limited, and from what markets.

Massachusetts continues to navigate around expansion of sports betting, the proliferation of illegal betting sites, and the emergence of prediction markets. Campbell sued Kalshi last year. That case continues in Suffolk Superior Court as both sides wrestle over a potential temporary restraining order.

Online sports betting launched in Massachusetts in March of 2023. Since then, more than $400 million in revenue and fees has been generated by its retail and online operators. Retail betting began in January 2023.

Maynard Takes Aim At Prediction Markets

At the NextIO Summit in New York earlier this month, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Maynard took aim at prediction markets. He referred to them as the "Cousin Eddie" of gambling, a reference to the Randy Quaid character from the National Lampoon Vacation movie series. He also chided Commodities Futures Trading Corporation chair Michael Selig by offering a "welcome" to the regulating space. He's frequently referred to prediction markets as "pseudo gambling" in his public comments.

“I am humbled and honored to be re-appointed,” Maynard said in a statement. He added adding that the commission will continue prioritizing “safe, responsible, and accountable” gaming across the Commonwealth.

During his tenure, Maynard has played a central role in the rollout and regulation of legal sports betting in the state. That includes collaboration with the attorney general’s Youth Sports Betting Safety Initiative. That targets underage gambling and education around betting risks.

Massachusetts Remains Bellwether For Other States

Regulators in Massachusetts have taken a proactive stance on enforcement and player protections. Often they position the state as a national model for gaming oversight. Maynard has also focused on security protocols at retail casino properties. And sought to balance economic benefits with strict compliance standards.

Regulatory moves in Massachusetts often serve as a test ground and templates for other states.

The 37-year-old Maynard hails from Pikeville, Kentucky and claims both Hatfield & McCoy lineage in his DNA. Given this vote of confidence from the top on Beacon Hill, the Commission is expected to continue its current regulatory trajectory, balancing market growth with an emphasis on consumer safeguards and compliance.

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