Senate Minority Whip Richard J. Ross (R-Wrentham) was appointed this week to the Gaming Policy Advisory Committee by Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester).“I am looking forward to beginning my work as a member of this committee,” said Senator Ross. “I understand that expanded gaming will have drastic effects on local communities and on public safety in the Commonwealth. I hope to use this position as a means of addressing citizens’ concerns with expanded gaming, and ensuring that all decisions made truly promote the public good.”
The committee is charged with advising the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on various policy matters and establishing subcommittees to examine community mitigation, addiction services and public safety. The subcommittees will be developing recommendations for regulations the Gaming Commission may use in addressing the effects of expanded gaming on the Commonwealth. While the Gaming Commission will take the Committee’s recommendations under advisement, they are not binding.
In addition, each region in which a casino will be established may establish a local community mitigation advisory committee, which shall work closely with the subcommittee on community mitigation. These local committees will advise the subcommittee on such matters as the impact of gaming establishments on the host and surrounding communities. A member of each local committee will also be represented on the subcommittee on community mitigation.
The Gaming Policy Advisory Committee will also advise the Gaming Commission as it develops its annual research agenda focusing on the social and economic effects of expanded gaming in the Commonwealth and the scientific study of gambling.
