After recently legalizing casino gambling, the State of Massachusetts is now on the fast track to give the new law something to govern. Under the direction of Governor Deval Patrick, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is receiving some essential appointments – the first of which is none other than the Chairman. Taking this seat is former Massachusetts Secretary of Administration and Finance, Stephen Crosby, whom Governor Patrick referred to as “the right guy” for the job.

Crosby also served as the Chief of Staff for Governor Patrick’s successor, Jane Swift, and most recently held the position of Dean at the McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

There are five additional seats awaiting appointment for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, three of which Governor Patrick will appoint, and two of which will be appointed under a joint decision with Attorney General Martha Coakley and Treasurer Steven Grossman.

Crosby said in a public statement that he firmly believes “nothing poisons the public perception more than a suspicion that something’s going on under the table”, and that it will be his duty to ensure the process of gambling expansion in Massachusetts is “honest, transparent and fair”.

One of the Massachusetts Gambling Commission’s first jobs will be to decide which operators will receive the three casino licenses and sole slots parlor license allowed under the new law. Thereafter, Crosby’s $150,000 annual salary will go toward overseeing that ongoing regulatory requirements are being met by licensed operators, and that ultimately, Massachusetts citizens are getting a transparent bet.