Representative Marcus Vaughn Named To Gaming Policy Advisory Committee

House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading) has appointed State Representative Marcus S. Vaughn (R-Wrentham) to serve on the state’s GamingPolicy Advisory Committee (GPAC).

The GPAC was established as part of the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act, which legalized gaming in Massachusetts by authorizing the establishment of up to three resort casinos and one slot machine facility. The 14-member board advises the MassachusettsGaming Commission on gaming policy issues, particularly as it relates to community mitigation funding, addiction services for compulsive gambling, and the public safety impacts associated with the state’s gaming establishments.

Representative Vaughn’s appointment comes at a time of rapid growth within the state’s gaming industry. On January 31, MGM Springfield in Springfield, Encore Boston Harbor in Everett, and Plainridge Park Casino in Plainville began offering sports betting, with online sports betting launching on March 10. Massachusetts residents placed a total of $568 million in sports bets in March, with more than three-fourths of those bets placed through the DraftKings and FanDuel apps.

“As the Commonwealth’s gaming industry continues to expand with the introduction of online sports betting, it is important that proper safeguards are in place to regulate the industry and protect consumers,” said Representative Jones. “I am confident that Marcus will help the Commonwealth continue to navigate through the evolving gaming landscape in a way that encourages responsible growth within the industry.”

For the 2023-2024 legislative session, Representative Vaughn is serving as the Ranking Minority Member of both the House Committee on Operations, Facilities and Security and the Joint Committee on Community Development and Small Businesses. He is also a member of the Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technologies, and the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security.

Representative Vaughn is currently serving his first term as a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. He represents the 9^th Norfolk District, which consists of Precincts 3 and 4 in Medfield; Precinct 1in Millis; Precinct 5 in Walpole; and the towns of Norfolk, Plainville and Wrentham.