The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has replaced its ombudsman’s office with a newly created Division of Community Affairs.
Executive Director Karen Wells announced the change at last week’s MGC meeting and said she had promoted Construction Project Oversight Manager Joe Delaney to head the division.
Wells said, “Now that the casino licenses have been awarded and the three casinos are up and running, the functions have somewhat shifted from the original role of the ombudsman.”
The ombudsman’s office was in charge of interactions between “stakeholders: state agencies, applicants, licensees, host and surrounding communities, state and local officials, community groups, divisions within the commission and other interested parties,” according to the commission’s website.
Community Affairs will have many of those responsibilities, but also will manage the Gaming Mitigation Fund. It will also oversee grant contracts.
Meanwhile, the commission has given permission for roulette wheels to return to the MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor, but without many of the boisterous, rowdy elements that make the games so appealing.
When Bay State casinos reopened in July, they weren’t allowed to have poker, craps and roulette. It has been three months since then without significant health issues, so the casinos have requested the games.
The commission took into account that the casinos’ competitors in Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey and New York are now offering the game, which put Massachusetts at a competitive disadvantage.
The games come with strings, which include capping the number of players at three, who must all be seated and separated by clear plastic shields. No spectators may stand behind the table. They are also limited to 16 tables at the Encore and seven at the MGM.
The additions does not mean the casinos may increase their maximum occupancies. One other significant change is that players may no longer make bets once the ball is in motion due to the presence of the clear barrier which makes harder for the dealer to recognize verbal wagers.
