 Good morning. We are calling to order commission meeting number 284 of the Massachusetts gaming Commission on Thursday December 19th 2019 at 10 a.m. At our offices here at 101 federal Street here in Boston Before we get started. I want to explain that for those who need the service that are closed captioning Technology is not working right now. We are going to try to Establish that service. We are still streaming live and we are of course taking our minutes We will as I said continue to try to get that service going Item number two on our agenda our minutes commissioner stephens, please Thank You madam chair in the packet you have the minutes from our December 5th 2019 commission meeting. I would Move their approval subject to correction for typographical errors and other non-material matters I would also like to suggest striking the last sentence in the first paragraph under the 1059 a.m Portion of the meeting on page 3 We'll go back and See if we can reword that but for the time being we should strike that last sentence in the first paragraph Second Any further discussion? There as I was not present in the meeting. That's right. So thank you commissioner all those in favor Opposed For in favor one abstention. Thank you Just as an alert on today's agenda We have several matters and we do have External guests arriving who have some very strict timelines Monitor the time carefully today. There might be some slight shifting in agenda might of items Moving on to our administrative update director of protrusion Good morning commissioners. Good morning a couple of items First I think you're aware that there is a posting for a general counsel Position that is out there publicly that we put out right before the holidays and we did get a bunch of qualified Responders having said that I'm going to recommend I think I'm going to pull the posting right now and repost after the beginning of the year in order to Engage in a process that's more coordinated I think I also want to be up not during the holidays To see what we might attract in terms of applicants and then in a process where we could go potentially right into Interviews in fairness that people will have applied We'll send them a letter letting them know that and letting them know that they will automatically if they meet the minimum Requirements be considered in the new posting when it comes up. They might have gone They might not or but both will obviously do that in fairness to those folks. So I'd like to just let you know Perhaps it we should mention that Mr. Todd Grossman has been functioning as the interim Counsel is that He has as an interim general counsel and I everything I would say is we are being served very well right now the Commission and Not only Todd, but the associate general counsels are are serving the Commission very well So I feel like the Commission's legal needs are being met more than appropriate Would agree with that and we appreciate everyone stepping up to the plate Thank you to the legal team and and Todd's leadership. Great. So the next thing is I'm going to combine We did have a staff meeting last week It was a good time for The Commission and employees to gather together to celebrate the holidays talk about events that happened in the past year and two two things of note one was the all-important Yankee swap The gifts to see it were very interesting including My socks Exactly, so if you want to know what they missed it was a great bear socks more importantly though, it was also a celebration of a Long-time employee Who is leaving us today who I can see with my eyes in the back of my head is cringing in the back of the room right now She does not like to be the center of attention She is always somewhat existed in the background for us In the course, you know where I'm talking about Janice Riley who is retiring today Janice has had many titles here First she was chief of staff to the Commission next she was chief administrative officer She also holds title employee number one for the Commission, but most importantly Janice literally was the backbone of the Commission both in the time I was here and I know from stories and talking to you all and also interacting with the Commission when I was at the AG's office That quite frankly the Commission probably wouldn't be where it is today without Janice's early expertise in securing office space and just knowing people and getting things done She has done this in a way That I think was reflected very well in the Commission's decision to give her the McEw award at our staff meeting and just as you all know but to remind the public The McEw award is an award that is given to an employee each year Honoring Commission employee whose public service best represents the values of former Commissioner Jim McEw Those values are wisdom, intellectual integrity, fidelity to law, human decency, and humor And I couldn't think of a more apt person to get that award this year than than Miss Riley She will be Missed not only because she literally knows everything but she will be missed because she does her job with a sense of purpose and humor and Sort of I would say scope and keeping us all in our place That has been invaluable for us and she just knows things and has peripheral vision and anticipates things that Many of us including myself would never have thought of So and and she just does it with a sense of Decency not only as we do our jobs internally But both what the public is viewing how the public is viewing us and how we should how we should treat people and now How people should treat us also? so She will be Missed her retirement is well deserved and From my tenure. She has been an invaluable partner In helping I think staff be successful. So I know Commissioner you may want to say something at the appropriate time, but all I can say is Janice, thank you very much Well, I just I just want to emphasize a little bit of what you already said there were many jobs descriptions many Activities that Janice undertook But not in any one of those job descriptions was really the the task of troubleshooting and problem-solving and Stepping up to the plate when the situation merited it and and that is a really important quality that we are going to miss Janice and Value all of your contributions And if you don't mind because of our agenda We will reserve our comments until a little bit later in the meeting because of our guests Because I think we don't want to have to shortcut any of our comments for Ms. Riley. So thank you But but most importantly and so well said and My only regret is that somehow Austin wasn't able to hand over to Janice's expression somehow Yeah, so Janice Because I might be a good thing Janice is our timekeeper expert and has shall ready started to ship that role I'm gonna do what Janice has told me to do and stick to our our agenda. So Ed. Do you have any further? I Do not thank you. Okay. Excellent. Thank you Madam chair. We now have appeared to have the closed caption. Oh, it has come on Thank you commissioner Zaniga and thank you Austin and the team who has been able to accomplish that great We have ours our closed caption services going on Moving on to item number four This is that director Wells, please and our chief enforcement counsel Loretta Lily else and I see that director Griffin has joined the table. Thank you very much. Yes Good morning, madam chair members of the commission on the agenda today is a follow-up from an agenda item We had two meetings ago tax and four weeks ago on just the IEB seeking some clarification of regulation 205 CMR 134.09 this is just a frame the issue again is the commission had promulgated a regulation about What the investigations and enforcement bureau should do regarding the Records that have been sealed as part of a proceeding in court and we're looking for clarification on whether that is limited to the actual Records themselves in the court or all information about that incident The reg itself is somewhat ambiguous for that and we would like some clarification from the commission on the intent It may be that we want to as a result of this conversation or for other conversations follow up and clarify the reg I think that would be my recommendation so we've already had somewhat of a substantive conversation on what the issue is part of the reason for the agenda item today was the commission had asked for feedback from community groups community members on some Insight they may have so we can be further informed of a the potential impact of this and be how the the community just reacts to the Record I pardon me the ceiling of the records issue So I believe a director Griffin is going to go over Some responses we got from Unite here Action for equity and the greater Boston legal services in addition we there was also a request from Commission O'Brien, I think the the commission agreed on that just to have some further explanation on the difference between Expunge records and sealed records and the law on that so Chief enforcement counsel my deputy Loretta Lilios is prepared to speak on that So I'll defer to the chair on the order But I would suggest we probably have director Griffin go forward with the comments from the community groups And then we can go into the law which This is or deputy director Lilios can further explain Good morning good morning morning commissioners as Director Wells mentioned we received three letters regarding this matter Brian Lang president of Unite here local 26 wrote We ask that the Massachusetts gaming Commission do everything in its power to enact a policy to ensure that there is no use of information Under any circumstance that led to a criminal case, which was later sealed in determining suitability of job applicants at the Massachusetts gaming facilities And I'm reading excerpts because you have the full letter in your Folder, but you further writes a policy banning the use of such information Should be enacted by the Massachusetts gaming Commission to confirm the spirit and intention of both both 205 CMR 134 and Mass general law 23k and put a stop to any interpretation which would be harmful to the Massachusetts workforce Paula Quirian director of the quarry and reentry project at the greater Boston legal services Apologize she is actually in court right now Otherwise she would have been here, but she Indicated that the gaming Commission should comply with the spirit and letter of the law that bars the use of sealed records in hiring determinations Permitting permitting investigators to search for and report on facts underlying a sealed record Would eviscerate the benefits of sealing the record in the shorter sealing waiting periods as enacted by the legislature The shorter waiting periods are consistent with studies showing that as time passes The risk of reoffending for people with a criminal history approaches the same risk as That of people without records committing a crime She makes the point that opening a back door To sealed quarry will have a racially disparate impact on applicants Color for casino and gaming positions and The next letter that we received was from the job action network Also the action for regional equity They stem firmly opposed to using open source information related to a sealed record as a basis for Disqualifying anyone from being licensed by the Massachusetts gaming Commission Sealing records processes already require an evaluation of the seriousness and risk the most Egregious crimes are not eligible for sealing They further make a point that using records of any sort related to a sealed record is a way around a legal procedure and That open source records have not been evaluated for accuracy This letter is signed by law community Law community dad Chelsea collaborative New England United for justice Action for regional equity the Roxbury good job standards and community stabilization so those letters are included in your packet info There are there any questions for director Griffin on the letters or any further qualification required by the Commission I Just want to thank those who did supply those comments to us very very helpful Important input for us. So we very much appreciate Stakeholders do participate in this process We are public by mandate and that can sometimes be difficult But when we get this kind of input, I truly appreciate the fact that we are appearing You know at least bi-weekly in a public forum and that we have that kind of input. So thank you Thank you, but there are no other questions. I'll turn it over to Miss Lillios just to give an overview of the difference between expungement and sealed records Good morning commissioners. Good morning. I know we touched on this Matter between sealing and expungement a little bit at the last meeting and there is a very brief note in the October 3rd memo in your packet, but I'm prepared to give a little bit more background and delve into the distinctions in the provisions Now as you know and as is touched on in the memo in the packet the Commission previously in connection with a racing case determined that the purpose of expungement indicated that The matter should be treated by the Commission as if the incident never occurred So that this is I think some of the background that you why you're looking at this matter So by way of review when we met when you met last time we talked about the two types of sealing Avenues that individuals can take to have their criminal records sealed and there's Administrative sealing and then there is court ordered sealing the administrative sealing applies to criminal convictions Only and it's an administrative matter It never goes to a court and that provision which is 276 section 100 a says that a person If the person satisfies the timelines in the statute so a misdemeanor conviction would have had to have been Wrapped up three years prior to a request felony conviction wrapped up seven years prior to a request no intervening issues with arrests and of course some Some crimes Excluded and not eligible for this But if you meet those timeline provisions you're entitled to the sealing Sealing does not destroy a record those records continue to exist and they are used by courts for sentencing Purposes if the individual is convicted of a of a subsequent Crime and they are available as well to law enforcement agencies Court ordered sealing the result is the same the records are not destroyed They apply only to the court and probation records does not extend to records in the public realm and People go to court for sealing of records in Non-conviction matters that may have resulted in dismissals findings of not guilty No bills from grand juries or when the grand jury determines not to indict a petition is made to the court It's ex parte in the sense that the district attorney is not entitled to notification and is not notified The court makes specific findings And The result is the same as the sealing of convicted records Expungements stands on different footing by statutory definition Expungement is the permanent erasure or Destruction of a record so the record is no longer accessible to or maintained by the court There are again eligibility requirements some exclusions for certain crimes The process is very different than for the sealing of records an individual must make a petition to the commissioner of probation if the commissioner determines that the Crime is eligible for expungement The commissioner notifies the district attorney the district attorney Has the opportunity to file a written an objection and if the district attorney Objects the matter is scheduled for a hearing and both sides have the opportunity To be to be heard the court then has the discretion whether to grant or deny based on the interests of justice and the individual Has the burden of showing by clear and convincing evidence any number of Items listed in that statute and that list is comprised of things like it was a matter of false identification There was a fraud perpetrated upon the court. There was gross police misconduct or gross misconduct by the court so one of the aspects of expungement is that the Integrity of the criminal charge or conviction itself is called into question That is not the case with sealed records the sealed records There's no assault on the integrity of the charge or conviction But many of the factors Allowing somebody to have an expunged record go to the core of the integrity of the actual charge If expunged the the expungement order goes to the court and to probation All of those records maintained also goes to the public-facing records for police departments like their public-facing police logs So Our commission is not responsible obviously for carrying out The sealing or expungement requests or orders those are handled by a court or other agency In a nutshell those are the distinctions that I thought were more would be most useful to you in this process I have a question Loretta in the case of expungement Does it matter if there has been a conviction or not it can apply to convictions as well and In the case of court order sealing of the records That applies to non convictions only correct correct What is the eligibility? I'm sorry The court ordered sealing is non convictions correct convictions may be sealed as an administrative Matter outside of the court. Yes, so I'm talking about court order sealing of records. So those are only on non convictions What's the eligibility if any What's the eligibility for Is everybody eligible because there were never crimes are Excluded certain firearm offenses certain sexual assault offenses. I think there may be some offenses We talked about the three-year seven-year breakdown. I actually think there may be some that are 15 year Look back window But they don't necessarily parallel The administrative ceiling I believe because I believe they do parallel The the administrative ceiling now again. I I did not Peel back every layer of the eligibility requirements because we don't We're not a mini sir. We don't administer So one of the things that I think we would all benefit from to is going through Sort of the actual process in terms of how open source materials and information on a potentially sealed record comes into the hands of the investigators Some of the filings almost imply that there was almost a deliberate effort to seek some of this information And I think there needs to be clarity that the way this happens is you're conducting your due diligence on some suitability Information comes through open sources And then there's a question where you cross reference because you do have access to the seal There's a law enforcement agency to then determine we need to Silo this off and I think there needs to be a discussion on how that works and then how Anything that open source is then connected to a sealed document is then segregated and retained because I think that will probably inform Some of the things that I want to talk about in terms of how we address this question, right? So In terms of the process it is not as if The investigator sees oh, there's a sealed record. I'm going to go find out all I can about that That's not the direction that the IEB has given to investigators. However, when investigators do they have a series of Steps they can do an investigation. One is an open source search. They can also look at different Law enforcement databases. So if they're doing these things in parallel you an investigator may get information So hypothetically you've got someone that was convicted of being in a nighttime and that record was sealed because it's more than seven years old But an open source search might reveal Information about many breaks in that neighborhood during a time period and all that and the name might be right out there So the investigator knows it the process we're going to have to talk about is if the if the Commission goes to the interpretation that these The information that's found whether through a database or open source or sometimes we have individuals that just are talking to the investigator and disclose and I Would parallel that to a situation where you have a criminal prosecution where certain evidence is suppressed so we would in that case if We had information about a sealed record when that Individual Hypothetically is considered whether or not there may be some other information. We consider whether or not that That registration should be revoked or the license should be denied What we would have to do as part of the process is Segregate that information and that cannot be considered as part of the record for making a determination suitability It would be as if a prosecutor is evaluating a case and Information was suppressed so say a confession was suppressed or drugs in a search warrant were suppressed and then you look at the rest of the evidence and then we make a determination if We go through this process Do we have sufficient evidence based on the standards that the Commission has said and the two Important ones are one the burdens on the applicant to show by clear and convincing evidence their suitability But also we have to look at evidence in the most favorable light to the applicant So in doing that evaluation, we're also looking at in it with the lens This person appeals that we at the everyone who is had their license for their Replicate their pardon me their Registration revoked or their license denied has the right to an appeal to a hearing officer and the right to an appeal to the Commission so we're thinking in terms of if you're putting that case together we cannot use that evidence in the Presentation that we would make to the hearing officer and then ultimately that information would go up to the Commission So we would still have it in the file. It's fun You know because we've run all the stuff and keep the records because we're required to keep things as part of the Process, but we would not be able to use that against the applicant director Wells. Is that the current practice? Generally, yes, we really haven't had I mean this question came up more in the theoretical We have not been using information from sealed records in order to deny licenses or revoke registrations We are bringing this forward not to ask for it But we noted that there this may come up and this is something we'd rather know on the front end What the Commission's policy directive is rather than go through the process and have someone be a test case because that's a human being and That's you know their job as we'd rather know on the front end how this is going to work Should it go through the process of an appeal? So one of the reason that I asked is that And I in the briefings and how we talked about it the last time is there is a tension between The intent of the purpose of the ceiling statute and the statutory mandate that this agency has as a law enforcement agency to vet the suitability and so there has to be some sort of equilibrium between the tensions of those two statutes and my inclination is there are gradations of job responsibilities and access to in terms of the gaming Establishments there's already been a section of jobs a number of jobs that have been removed from the licensing requirement Where that assessment was made and even the process itself was deemed? immaterial right I Want to have a conversation about and I realized miss little lives and I have had this conversation where there might you know be nuances to how this would be effectuated but When you get up to the top tier candidates, I don't want This commission to be in a situation where they don't have all the information available to them And so I want to talk about whether there is a process whereby you know the entry level licensing Requirements is treated with you're not going to look at that We're giving opportunities to people to go into the workforce. You're complying with the sort of spirit of the ceiling Versus when you go up the chain and maybe now your responsibilities have changed and now you're in a position where you have a lot more access to Financial information financial documents things like that are more sensitive and is there a way to tear it so that the more Sensitive positions are treated in a way with any information lawfully available to the commission as a law enforcement agency compared to Sort of the intent of the ceiling statute and the gaming act of getting people and employment opportunities So I have a few comments that may be helpful So first of all I think it's important to keep in mind how rare this is even across the board Which doesn't mean we don't need your direction because as you know Even if it's one person and the exposure that we have is that we must be consistent And we must have a procedure and must have a protocol So it's rare across the board It will be even rarer as you reach the highest levels because those are Individuals that have especially at the key executive level have often been licensed in other jurisdictions before so we get even even Less frequent as you go up The types of things we'd have to think about if we tiered and the top tier are the keys and they are Two levels within the key. It's a key standard and a key executive We are already under the mandate by regulation to evaluate the data that we have According to the job responsibilities of the position at hand The positions are not consistent across the three casinos So we would need and they change the job Responsibilities for the positions change so we would need to really stay on top of that And another factor that we need to consider is if there are promotions from one level where you may suggest that we not utilize this outside information into a position a key position where You will allow us to look at it. We'd need to have a way of going back in In assessing in light of the higher level position whether it's now something relevant. So those are some of the Some of the areas No, I think that Just a matter of practice at that key executive level I would be shocked if we had this situation occur and at that level he standard extremely unlikely and then as you go down, you know the Down the chain of the license levels potentially more likely but Certainly not likely at the key executive level the question would be that key standard level particularly in as This lilios pointed out We the casino industry. We've seen there's lots of opportunity for promotion. So someone could start out in the One of the casinos as a licensed gel However, do a really good job and then move up to that key standard position. So for example, they might be a Security guard which it needs to be licensed as a gaming employee That person might do very well and they might want to promote that person to a supervisor We're then in a little bit of a tricky situation if that's the cutoff, you know key versus non-key All of a sudden we're doing another evaluation and that person may have worked there for a while And now we're potentially looking at information surrounding a sealed record So it's tricky at what point could you make that cutoff that would That potentially could be operationally somewhat of a challenge, but you know, it would depend on what the you know the intent of the commission's You know directive on the level of licensure and where it matters Just jump in here First of all, I think it's a very positive sign that IEB has come to us looking for direction because they want to get it right They are looking for clarification and don't want to be in a situation where they're maybe Performing an investigative function that they don't know how we feel about that. So I think that's a real positive step secondly, I Have seen no evidence that IEB has misused information or has treated people differently You know the investigations that I've seen and we've seen a number of them have been done very professionally and using information in an appropriate way having said that I Was I found the letters compelling I found The intent of the law here and what really we're talking about employment We are not talking about a court proceeding in which those sealed records Are appropriate use for those sealed records would be a court proceeding in which another violation is alleged another Another crime is alleged for employment purposes I Believe the the intent of this law is to keep that material out And I believe it's been vetted whether it be administratively or in a court process and The time frames are appropriate. I Do not want this commission to be in a situation where It appears we're looking for an end run and I don't think that's what the intent was here at all The intent is clarification. I agree with Director Wells that our reg needs clarification and I'm really again I think it's a real positive one Investigators come back and say hey, we don't want to make a mistake. How should be we be utilizing this information? Also the issue of disparate treatment, I mean that's one of the reasons these records Were sealed in the first place and you know the accuracy of open-source information I found all of that compelling and I am I Certainly am leaning toward keeping all that information out for these employment purposes I was persuaded also by the very little risk of the higher-level position Using that information there and also You know the the information about people getting promoted That's actually a really good thing. So they've done they've maybe made a mistake early in their life They started a lower level. They've earned the respect and trust and now they're getting promoted to me That's a really positive thing and I don't look at it as a risk to us To to move forward in that direction because they've demonstrated that they're trustworthy and and You know, they're capable and willing and want that promotion So I don't and your comments about what is what is risk? That's how we would like to regulate, right? We were just assessing risk. So I for one am looking at keeping this information out, which I do believe is the intent. I Just want to make clear. I don't think that on its face Should we choose to use it? We are in violation of the statute. I actually disagree There's that's why one of the distinction between expungement and ceiling if the decision is to use it Respectively disagree. We're not violating the statute now in letter spirit Maybe but in terms of the letter of the lie. I don't think it is now having said that I Do think that there is a way to balance the risk I'm not a hundred percent convinced that when you get to the top there might not be that unusual case And I don't necessarily want to hamstring us Different question in terms of assessment of potential of risk with the severity of that risk But I'm not convinced it doesn't exist at all when you get up to that level Well, I I agree with you commissioner Cameron. I you know for all for all those reasons I I was actually initially thinking that the regulation Pointed us already in the direction of not considering them, but I recognize the need to clarify it however little we may come up with this in the future and and I think The organizations that took the time to respond made the points that I wanted to make a lot more elegant and Clear in my opinion that I would have The backdoor notion that these proportionate effect that these would effectively have on certain populations, especially minorities Is reality that we have to also balance And The spirit of the statute. There's there's enough the statute in the case of the ceiling of the records I think there is enough parallels with our own statute the ability of Rehabilitation after some period of time, okay, they don't necessarily align in in in in exact years But I think that's a principle that we must recognize. I think we have It's true that we are a law enforcement agency, but when it comes to occupational licenses Dealing cards or being a security officer a security person in the in the casino emulates in my mind a lot more of what The statute intended for the ceiling of the records on other occupational licenses being a nurse or health worker So I think I think also that it's important to point out that we have Access to a lot more information than any other employer and that Including access to the ceiling records themselves and that carries with itself a Responsibility I think to use it judiciously We have a number of other instances the whole principle of the The forms that are required Hinge on the notion of over-and-self disclosure And and with that in mind I Submit that we have a lot of access compared to other other employers We need to even though we're not employers necessarily in this instance Have for making employment or licensure determinations, so I I would be in favor of clarifying the regulation That is currently written the way it is To to clarify that it is any information or information related to the incident around However many incidents are sealed However, we obtain it And consider any other information like we like we have That is not related to to to the sealed Incidents Commissioner. Yeah, I would Echo some of the comments that commissioner Cameron may commissioners in a good just me I think where I find myself from the last time we had this discussion Did a little deeper dive into the actual ceiling process? And even though as you pointed out that isn't up to us I got more comfortable with the process and the process that somebody goes through to have their records sealed, you know, I do know Commissioner Brian's note about it be great if The ceiling for a felony kind of nicely aligned with you know our ten-year kind of prohibition but It doesn't and obviously chances of going back in the 23k and getting the change to make an alliance probably not gonna happen You know again the intent of sealing records is to give an individual second chance They certainly can't get it sealed if they've had other intervening events happen In that seven-year window that three-year window So I also Agree that you know the open source information Again, if it's tied to the sealed case should not be considered Kind of going forward the things that I'd like for us to think about In this gets to again, how do we communicate this message out to individuals considering employment? Or taking the step of getting their record sealed. I know we've talked about the application I think the application is much more clear on this question, but Something we should remain attentive to is people Question what it says. I think we've done a good job at that At one point we had a fact sheet. I don't know if you've updated that recently but The origin one we rolled out a while back probably still had The restrictions against some of the gaming service employee information on it. If it hasn't we should update that because I think that'd be a great tool for some of our partners to use and talking about this with folks in the community and I Want to be sure that if we agree, this is our policy that it Continues to be our policy and that it doesn't fluctuate not suggesting it suggesting anything but if one or two both of you are no longer at the ID We do want to have some consistency in the policy in how it's enforced and Let's set a time to kind of come back and Report back to us. You know, I think we're mindful of where this might apply to a promotional case and I Think we've speculated that we may not see a huge number of cases related to that But coming back at some intervening time period to just let us know what If we're bumping up against some of those questions or some of those challenges Well, I think that our discussion today Does demonstrate what I started with was how important it was to get information from key stakeholders in this discussion and I Encourage others to continue to provide that that information. I would echo Truly The comments made by Commissioner Cameron and by Commissioner Zuniga. I am a believer in Second chances and our law has evolved in a way that supports that But we know as regulators that our humanity can't always dictate our actions That sometimes we have to make tough choices, but Commissioner Zuniga said it very well We have access to information that our employers our licensees don't have and we have to use that information Judicially I would support Really a practice that is reflected probably not artfully or Clearly enough in our current regulation and not use information That pertains to a sealed record in these employment matters With that said I'm not sure if we have a 100% consensus So I'm looking to you director Wells as to how you would like to proceed We did reserve an opportunity for a vote today If you would like to come back with options on Language for the regulation to clarify that so that we could have a more formal vote Well, welcome that. Yeah, that's what I'm thinking as I'm listening to all of this is maybe For then either the next meeting or the meeting thereafter can work with the legal department and draft Sort of both options that have been put on the table It sounds as if no one on the Commission is looking for this Potential information to be used at the service level or GEL level. So that gives us direction Even just because there's a public Discussion about that so we can use that going forward that no one on the Commission is saying we want information from a sealed record Underlying conduct to be available for those lower level employee. So we're good on that So it seems as if the only point of further discussion would be on either the key standard of the key executive level And what I think we could do is work with the legal department. Maybe draft language, which would keep it out entirely draft language that would have it be Prohibited at those lower levels and then the Commission could vote at that time and we move forward through the promulgation Process to deal with that issue. Does that seem like well do to be clear I was I am the opinion that it not be considered for anybody Give you right so we and I am as well You know to keep and I think so we have at least three of the five of us who are suggesting that there is so it's up to you whether you want just one on Keep it out and I have a suggestion to modify whether we voter in or not But I think the regulation the way it's currently written Could be well served to at least the way I intended which is Simply changing that any information that appears at the Closer to the acts of the leniency and putting that at the beginning to ensure that it covers Records and the leniency You know shall not be considered You know what I mean by by my edit I think it needs to be altered more than that though because records in that context I think is more a term of art that would still restrict you to the court file and probation file I think what you've expressed is an intent to block open-source use as well So I actually think it needs to be reworded beyond that to actually capture what you're hoping to do that's very enough I mean I was I was in my suggestion. I was saying any information would apply to However, it's obtained, but but I think it's important enough to make sure merits maybe talking with right council having conversation to make sure they're after But I don't want the commission to be concerned in the interim We're going to go do something with you know, we get Oh, yeah, I will just you know work accordingly with the commission's Clear policy directive here, but I do think clarifying the right is important so that we have some consistency down the road And that there's there's no confusion on that. So I mean, I'm comfortable We I don't think we need a particular vote on any kind of language I'm comfortable that we understand what the commission is saying and then we can work with legal and just bring that up At the next meeting if that works for you That works, I think I think that that makes sense rather than a vote today Good very helpful and again. Thank you to all Thank you. Thank you. Thank you We need to take a two-minute break We are two minutes ahead, but I am respectful of all needs of my fellow commissioners. Thank you Oh Where we can work reconvening meeting What's in our number today? 284 and We are now turning to item number five on our busy agenda that would be back to executive director Bedrosian Good morning commissioners. Good morning. This is a follow-up agenda item from our last meeting. I Hope you will remember I think during the last meeting when we discussed the best vehicles if the commission wanted further input on Region C items That there seem to be two different vehicles one was a traditional public comment and another was in RFI and Just for clarification you have in the packet today a number of items including the materials from our previous meeting a updated Memo from staff and a recent letter. We just got in from the current mayor of Brockton And in in the memo from staff We want to clarify, you know for some folks who aren't used to what an RFI is at least how OSD operational services division thinks about an RFI We pulled from the best value procurement a handbook which is updated this last August on how they think of an RFI and to be clear they Think as they say RFI is traditionally are used to identify Industry standards best practices potential for performance measures and price structures So with that guidance What staff did is? Suggest sort of two buckets of questions that could help inform the commission about how it thinks about The region C the public comment questions Start very broadly as you will see Something that says should commission consider reopening Regency that obviously is an incredibly broad question And you can imagine the type of public response and be a broad public response Then we get down a little more we get a little more Organic as we go down the list about specific items. I think we think of public comment questions as being more policy based so and then The request for RFI questions With the guidance from the OSD division We hoped were more metric based and performance or market based in terms of The request would be for the Professionals out there to give some guidance to the best way to engage Potentially a market study when would it be one of the factors those types of things before and again This is in the memo and I said it before in RFI presupposes but does not require a market in a Vengeful RFP or an RFR But the the questions were geared towards Getting responses that would help inform the best way to subsequently do that if the Commission so decided So the other thing is we I did ask that this be listed for a vote I don't think it necessarily needs to be a vote, but if the Commission felt compelled There are certainly that option so Having said that oh, and of course as I said there are some there are the Attachments which is the recent letter from the current mayor of Brockton and the previous materials So I don't know if you have any questions of of me And or just acting general counsel just real quickly the the letter from the acting mayor Brockton When did we get it that there's no date on it? Oh, I apologize so Two days ago, I can tell you for sure give me one sec. I can tell you for sure. I received it in an email Pretty sure it was two days ago Yeah, I'm sorry. It was it was Monday afternoon Yeah, it was yes, and that's the receipt That is the receipt date to me on an email. Yes, I just think it's It's important to listen to everyone including the The present mayor but I think it's also important to point out that there'll be a new mayor in January and we have no idea how that New mayor will feel about this topic. I suspect we'll know in short order We did have an applicant that the administration changed and That the new team coming in was not in favor of that applicant so that That has already occurred within this Commission, so I think it's important to note that That would be important information moving forward that there will be a new administration next month We would that I I have a couple of comments I realize maybe some of what I will point out could have been made when I was absent last time around But I I want to at least State for the record a couple things I Think the memo is very helpful. I have one One of the bullet points here the what about whether to engage in a gaming market study Strikes to me that is it would be better suited for the RFI process I don't think it hurts to ask the public or anybody in the public about that Mostly because I have some ideas to make around Conducting a new market study In more detail that I want to talk about that might go well under under an RFI Process which I can just summarize now and then you know happy to give you in more detail in between You know now and the next meeting that we that we address this but but in general I'd like to Just recognize some of what we have done in the past relative to these these region and That is or especially the market study And that is there has been varying degrees to some degree of a number of market studies done Around us for applicants that we have seen in Connecticut and Rhode Island for example That I think we should acknowledge there's studies There's two studies one recently updated for Rhode Island, but I then did initially a study after the gaming act Trying to predict the impact of the casinos those that study I was later updated As as recently as last year, I believe and one of the things that's that's in my mind a Question for us again to ask is first the size and scope of the of the market that we're dealing with There's some mention. There's a there's initial recognition that it's the New England market with some Outside you know travelers You know a percentage of that There's other studies that begin to incorporate Upstate New York to some degree, but there's again varying degrees of of how the different people that analyze these Take that into account There's something that's alluded to here and in the past in my mind changing preferences what may have been as a Suite of products in 2012 when we first looked at these may be different and now if we were making Projections for the future and that includes sports betting and how millennials are behaving and how Slots are Forming a part of the of the casino market or not I think it's important to kind of think about that Suite of gaming products again, I can give you details on on these pieces, but The response that the size and scope the response that has happened since the projections were first made for Massachusetts I think it's also a very important piece Rhode Island Responded by the to the gaming act by expanding tables in one of the two licenses and moving a license from Newport grant to Tiverton. I think that has that's that's something that Not all market studies have necessarily considered and then there's a very on certain Moving pieces around us as well, not just in the in the sports betting arena But Connecticut with a third or potentially a fourth casino The specter of the mashpee as you clearly allude here must add some some level of uncertainty to the to the whole gaming market as well I also wanted to to point out Something for the benefit of the discussion here the public and our newer commissioners and that is this is a region that we have Spoken a lot about from the beginning because of the mashpee and the threat of that imbalance between the tax rate and the compact and and a second casino in that region and Again, I should remind us for the record that We had the initial discretion of Setting the minimum investment the minimum capital investment of including certain costs or not in that 500 million minimum capital investment We excluded like the statute allowed us the law the land the cost of land But excluded a number of other costs as well from from the regions A and B Notably carried interest which can be a significant cost if there's a long development project and When it came to the third region region C Because there was not a lot of interest seemingly we came back and and excluded rather Included back some of those costs to the minimum capital investment effectively Lowering the minimum capital investment that we had already risen by the way For this region only and so That was all done in in the spirit of trying to elicit more competition There was at the time of another developer trying to put a deal together and and could not and And I think again just So that we have a recollection of all the factors that have factored in here I also want to just state for the record that we should not be or the public should not be under the impression that any one of these responses Individually or collectively to these to these questions are going to point conclusively in any one direction I may be stating the obvious here, but I think ultimately opening or not these This region is going to be a judgment call We we might get a new study or a new series of studies or reconciliation of a study or really good Insightful questions like we have answers, but rather To some of the questions that we are posting here and it's ultimately going to be very much a judgment call for The reasons that I already alluded to One is It's it's much easier to make the first decision licensing decision that it is to make the fourth one Of course now we should be very Aware of the performance like like one of the questions here says of the performance of the current Existing licensees of the responses of the states around us It is it is obviously a lot more relevant than when we first made the first decision and so I Think it's it's it's It's again a region that we have struggled with To elicit a lot of competition by the way I think the clearest sign that That there might be a market here Is a developer willing to put up money to do it? There's no amount of studies that will That will up, you know conclude in any way Whether there's there's there's a market or not if there's somebody with the expertise of operating in other competitive areas That thinks they can make money here That's about as good indication as we're gonna have Again, we need to think about a number of other things what it does to the rest of the licensees In what context they're beginning to come in and operate But I just wanted to mention for the record that ultimately it will be a Perhaps quite difficult judgment call not not anything that's going to be answered through some of the questions Although I do think More information is a good thing. Absolutely. It helps us tremendously and independent studies as opposed to one as we've seen in the past as To one produced for a particular applicant They can differ we've seen that in the past I think that's what you were trying to put point out, correct? And the only I think you alluded to this as well, which is because there's one develop that that that is interested in building I Do think we have an obligation to the region? I think Commissioner O'Brien has pointed this out in the past, but we do to the Commonwealth as well and if a Potential applicant is going to cannibalize from our own in-state casinos. That is Something to consider. I think you were pointing that out with yeah, it's nice that the developer says yes I'd like to build but it's it's a comment upon us to look at every factor Before making a decision here Actually, you reminded me of something that is that is critical as well in these different studies that have been made Because we have a different tax rate on between category ones and category twos Depending on how some of these studies assume There will be an effect an additional category one casino have an effect of plane rich You have to assume that plane rich with a third casino plane rich is going to lose some a play and Retain some play, but every new dollar that we gain and this is I'm only talking about revenues Any new dollar that we gain on an additional category one comes at 25% versus 49% that we lose So just on that differential there are Different outcomes in terms of revenues to the common now I also should point out that that's only one measure The revenues there's many others that that mr. Bloom has pointed out before That are critical in making our decisions some of them Directly related to the municipality, you know if we if we have the context of jobs a region a City or town, that's a very different calculation To the overall commonwealth view that as you point out commissioner. We also have to take into consideration But revenues is only one measure I think it's it's very important for us to now Really consider and that question is really here the profitability of the current licensees Because that has some stability To the future of those licenses It's it's gonna be It all goes back to as well ultimately a judgment call. How much do we think the gaming market might change? Because of consumer preferences because of other products that are later approved or not Are within Massachusetts or around us? So Thank You madam chair, I certainly thinking First of all with respect to the letter excuse me respect to the letter from the mayor We should be thinking about formulating an appropriate response. He took the time to to write us and raise several points into the degree We can respond to some of those in a response. I think is is appropriate I probably respectfully Disagree with some of the comments that are included in the letter, but that's the The benefit of having Some appropriate give and take Just to echo commissioner Zuniga. I agree with them on one of the questions that was down for public comment Could be moved or considered and issuing an RFI I would like to see us Proceed with an RFI. I don't think it is a very long process again. We're just we're not asking people to Supply a certain proposal but to answer some some basic questions that we have I think commissioner Zuniga's comments about About the market some of the market changes that we've seen just since we opened our first licensee The need for us and I think we're all aware of this to consider the impacts on the overall Massachusetts market and the current revenue and employment That is created by our our three licensee is important to consider in One of my colleagues might correct me if I'm wrong But I do remember some of the early market studies we did that were Presented to us talked a lot a bit a lot about obviously recapturing revenue that was going out But it also highlighted the potential to create new players and I think again kind of just Throwing the suggestion out that maybe we haven't seen that develop as much as might have been Anticipated to some of the early marketing studies that the presence of the casino was going to generate new players and I don't think some of those goals or projections that Have necessarily met the mark. So I Think for right now the immediate step we can take we always put It's great to put public comment out there. People can even Comment to us on things or topics that aren't necessarily included in the questions I think it's important to note that most of the time in our Recent history that we have put some comments out for public or questions out for public comment the bulk of the response has come from folks who are living in Brockton and For the most part many of those have not been in favor of of opening Regency But I would like to encourage staff to move ahead and kind of refine some of these questions And move ahead with an RFI process again. I don't think it will take that long to get some Qualified answers back we're not asking them to respond to a full-blown proposal. I Think we can do this in a pretty timely manner. That's the direction you choose to take You bring up a good point among others Commissioner and that about new players and I think One of the things that I was trying to articulate is relative to consumer preferences or some The suite of products that people engage with I've looked at some of the trends around us on purely slots play because that is that is actually information that's readily available for anybody around us and the the the slot play level of 2007-2008 just just in New England It's not as you know, that was prior to the financial recession Has not come back yet Even you know in in recent years with now, you know two two more casinos And I'm talking MGM and I'm playing rich There's not enough information yet on Angkor that that can now be ascertained on a yearly basis Although it'll soon will so That to me begins to speak about, you know, we have had a very long financial Business cycle in the in the upswing that I think has Recovered a lot of the the downturn of the prior to the financial or right after the financial crisis But I I believe there may be something going on with purely slot play There may be You know people younger players Maybe engaging in a different way And that that that is the point about, you know, how much more Revenue aggregate revenue is is is coming in It may I suspect it may be around some of the different products I Don't know to what degree any one of these People that now engage online a lot more Whether they are they will continue to engage in slot play for example I don't know if there's a general generational thing operating here But those are some of the questions that I think we should at least attempt to articulate on a broad level If we get to granular then it might start to resemble an RFP or an RFR But those are things that I think are operating in our what I think will be ultimately again a judgment and probably difficult decision Yeah, well, I was just gonna say it sounds like Commissioner Stevens anyway, you're talking about both An RFI and public comment, right? Yes, and I I would agree with that all the information we can gather is important hearing from the public as well as a Little more formal process with an RFI is really important to help us decide a Direction to move or not and I think Information is critical to help us with I do I would echo the comments that have already been made. I do think these would be helpful particularly The RFI in terms of the market study. I think would be helpful Another question that I think is more an internal question than an RFI our public comment However, is we do have a potential applicant who has had a host community vote The motion to reconsider that application We did not entertain that so if and when see is open and this applicant comes forward again I think there's still an open question of law whether a another host community vote is needed or not That's not relevant to the public comment in the RFI, but I just throw that out of something internally that maybe the GC group Can be thinking about to the extent that that you're an impostor or that same applicant comes back before us. I Think it's a very valid question. I mean You could we could do a superficial analysis and say the process is all is all new again You know next process would be all new so it starts from Ground zero and one of the tenants of the expanded gaming act appears to be that no community Will get a casino unless it wants one And I I don't think the law says currently But I think that's a fair a fair issue We can start to look at in the background. Well, I understand we're not there yet But it's fair. I think to Consider that and and if we are speaking about the one that we did look at There was actually a different proposal, right? So one would think that the host community might The vote that was taken before would be stale because they were voting on something very different Sure, so that's just something to consider if what I'm hearing commision O'Brien is saying is that perhaps? For legal to to address that at least at some level right now would be probably helpful because we would want All folks to understand that would be an expectation If that's you know, if that's where we come out I don't think that any of our comments today suggest that we actually know the answer to that question So thank you On my thoughts I Agree again with many of the the points made I Think that The efforts that we are trying to achieve here is to do some good good due diligence It is a big issue Our law gives us direction But it does require judgment. So I think Commissioners in EGA is spot-on and I think that the RFI will be an excellent tool To get exactly what the concept is to get information that will allow us if we decide to go forward with a request for Proposals on a market study because I think we all agree an independent market study Would be reflective of past practice that served its purpose then and would serve a purpose now if we are going to issue one we would want it to be as efficient and As Precise as we could possibly make it our RFQ are of Cusor. I'm sorry RFPs are Are Not easy to get right and we've seen in other jurisdictions where they have to do a re issuance And so the RFI is a tool to sort of help us really understand What the issues are how we would craft a precise and helpful request for a market study with that said I think we learned from Derek last At our last meeting it could be a few months to issue an RFI I would echo. I think commissioner Stebbins that it doesn't have to be a long process. So I would I Would today I'm not sure if we need a vote And and and I don't want to speak for everyone, but we have a memo that outlines of Very good questions for an RFI and some very good Points for public comment. We could always extend that as we see maybe public comments coming in we could Decide whether there should be Additional requests for public comment, but it seems to me it would be too bad to to go another Round without maybe getting the RFI process Going unless there's an objection. No, I think that's fair perhaps After this discussion we can we can come back with You know the what would hopefully be a draft But close to final language around an RFI I've and and you know and get it going, you know, yeah, I think here's I'm still in it now Did you hear me talking about you Derek? I'm I I Agree with that And this is Derek who can actually maybe go over some of the steps Just we have to post a notice of intent first and could we take that initial thought that initial step without a draft? Or how does it work? So we don't actually have to post a notice of intent because I Have done we don't actually have to post a note of intent because we don't have a dollar value for the procurement So you'd only have to do the notice of intent if it's going to be 40 days and your procurement won't be up for 40 days And it's going to exceed the 540,000 required by the World Trade Organization. I see So we could last time when I went over the timeline I said a couple weeks to develop the questions, which I think we've kind of done now Put it out for about a month and then some time to review it before you come back here That's where the two-month time period came in and I know we generously did say you would be willing to I'm always willing to cut back in streamline But you know, that's where the two-month timeline came in just to be safe But we could get the a draft underway and I guess our next meeting is Mary and January 9th 9th So I'm suggest the one thing I'm gonna just want some clarity on it sounds like The third bullet under public comment questions about should the Commission engage in a new market study You might want to shift over maybe be the first broad question for the RFI That's my suggestion. I think You know Although there's many members of the public that are usually very informed. I think this this is really and Quite frankly, I think the answer introductory question from public comment will capture everything. Yes It's I think you're totally fine And in terms of posting that the public comments, we could get that underway and we'd be working with Communications director sure We can get that the process typically is that we Actually get those comments along the way Or I'd suggest that because if we get extensive comments It will be hard for us to get up to speed for them for the meeting and that might actually help inform our Review of the draft RFI So if we get anything in between between now and then I would suggest initially Probably putting them out for 30 days from We do have to have a yeah some type of a deadline as opposed to rolling in It's up to you I mean there I've seen where we get a bulk up front or we get some people who wait to a deadline Spur action. So if you want to do something in between It is the holidays. Yes, it is. I Think it's fair to launch it when we Issue the RFI and try to get the time frames consistent Okay, and not and not have them at all to inform. That's fine. Okay Are you okay with that? So on the night we would come back with the draft RFI with the questions is Obviously, hopefully correct as close as possible and then a draft Request for public comment for the same That sounds good. Okay. Thank you so much any further questions. Thank you And thanks Derek for sprinting over amazing amazing timing Thank you so much and we're all set. Thank you executive director protrusion well We're moving on now to item number five. I'm sorry item number six on our research a responsible gaming RFP and Director Vanderlinden and I do know that we have a team coming forward and Dr. Volberg has a flight to catch and we also know that she made some arrangements Rescheduling her travel plans to be here. So thank you very much. Good morning Good morning. Good morning. Good morning chair and commissioners It's been a long journey over the past several months to get to a point where we're making this recommendation today I'm joined by Dr. Rachel Volberg who is the principal investigator of the Sigma study as well as professor at the UMass Amherst School of Public Health and Health Sciences I Also have Mark Melnick who is the director of Dr. Mark Melnick is the director of Director of economic and policy research at the UMass Donahue Institute and finally Martha Zorn Who is data manager? extraordinaire with the Sigma team and out of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences. So thank you for coming today Chapter 23 case section 71 We all know very well it directs the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to develop an annual research agenda in order to understand the social and economic Effects of expanded gaming and the Commonwealth as well as to obtain scientific information relative to the neuroscience psychology epidemiology and etiology of gambling since 2014 efforts to fulfill this mandate has resulted in a comprehensive baseline understanding of conditions prior to Casino introduction as well as numerous follow-up studies They give stakeholders a greater understanding of the true effects of casino gambling in Massachusetts and residents towns and communities the original procurement for this study was drafted in 2013 executed in 2014 and expired at the end of fiscal year 2019 The MGC released an RFR to solicit bids for a multi-year multi-method multi-disciplinary multi-phase comprehensive research project on the economic and social impacts of the introduction of casino gambling in Massachusetts The RFR presented the MGC an opportunity to build upon the existing research conditions But it also allowed us an opportunity to turn to a new chapter of our research agenda Which was is largely guided by a research strategic plan that the Commission adopted in 2018 There was a wide release of the RFR To a number of different stakeholders However, we had only one respondent to that which is our current contractor UMass Amherst That did not stop our review team from thoroughly reviewing and And diving deep and into that proposal and providing providing comments and feedback Our procurement team included Several from the MGC our legal our financial division myself It also included four of our research review committee doctors Tom Land Tony Roman Bruce Cohen and David Auerbach They represented a wealth of information and diverse background in both the areas of social and economic research Since the Sigma team Delivered their initial proposal in August. We went through four rounds of comments and feedback the Sigma team Patiently diligently Responded to each round of feedback and revised their their proposal or responded to questions that the that the team had At the end of it though the the procurement team unanimously endorsed the Proposed scope and budget that was presented by the Sigma team, which is which is was represented here today The thoughtful proposal produced by Sigma team strives to provide a comprehensive understanding of key measure measures of interest to the MGC as Well as our stakeholders It incorporates priorities of the gaming Commission such as community engagement knowledge Translation as well as the flexibility to respond to new and emerging issues That are Identified by the Commission and our stakeholders. In fact, there is the plan for two to four of those those studies each year The average annual budget spanning five and a half years is is one million dollars per year With the exception of next year when it's Necessary that the team do a follow-up general population Survey that builds upon the baseline general population survey that was fielded in 2014 prior to the introduction of Plain Ridge opening of Plain Ridge Park casino The strength of their proposal rests on a number of overarching features It includes as represented by the three individuals here today a highly skilled and experienced team Who over the past six years have produced 29 reports and academic publications? Continuity with the existing research which would build on a multifaceted multi-year economic impact The studies conducted to date Comprehensive their collaborative orientation whereby major stakeholders including you as as the gaming Commission the Department of Public Health other other stakeholders around the state Are able to provide comment and help guide the research We talked early on about a state of the art Analytical framework which was developed by dr. Bulberg and her co-PI dr. Rob Williams even prior to Prior to the first RFP being released. I think it was in 2012 2012 2011 It focuses on a comprehensive analysis establishing the impacts of casino gambling over both time and at the state and regional level It focuses on policy relevant findings so that it can inform practice. It can inform regulation. It can inform policy And an ongoing evaluation which produces a comprehensive report every two to three years as opposed to a simple pre versus post Study which was described in the original scope Over the next 18 months. I provided for you in your memo a list of the the reports that are planned This does not include the ad hoc reports which we can help design and drive the focus of those those reports in the near future That's the proposal in a nutshell I think Before I Move to Make a recommendation that the Commission Initiate a contract with with the team. I wanted to provide an opportunity for Dr. Bulberg to provide some statements, but obviously also Comments from the Commission Questions commissioner O'Brien. Do you have any questions at this point commissioner Cameron? I do not I Know I will You know, perhaps we should hear from from dr. Volver I would like to make a couple points later relative to the context for funding, but this is more directed to our To ourselves. Can I ask just a I may have not heard correctly? The document says that the average annual budget spanning five and a half years So there was a six-month extension on the original procurement that expires on December 31st, and then there are five additional Contract years planned after As opposed to three plus two options It's five years it would be three plus three plus one options But the budget that was presented that we reviewed spanned five years But the contract is three with a you'd have to come back to the Commission correct the extension of each individual One-year options, right? So the initial contract that I'm proposing Would be 18 months so it extend through the rest of this fiscal year and fiscal year 21 and and that's reflected in the chart correct And it would be renewed budget within a obviously everything beyond that in terms of the The budget and the scope of those works is reduced on on an annual basis Okay, and in terms of your enumerated list one through eight The proposal on your overarching features, I think you suggested there was some Differences from what has been done in the past. Can can you point out what are new and that will just help frame our discussion? Sure sure and I'll invite Rachel to join in but There's a there's a much greater attention to The measures that that matter so at this point how many how many years we're into this We begin to understand what are what are the measures that are likely to change? And we will have a greater focus on on those measures, but we can still stay attuned to other measures that that perhaps Kind of sit in the background there's a greater attention to Engaging the community recognizing that the translation of this research is as important as the Is as important as the research itself? And making sure you just explain that so that everybody hears that what you mean by translation of sure. Yeah the We want to make sure that the research means something that it really does do what we what we say we wanted to do we wanted to inform Practice we wanted to inform policy and regulation But a lot of times research doesn't doesn't make bridge that that gap between the research being done and the Regulation that's being promulgated the policy that's being being done So we want to to focus on that that space between so that that translation can can happen to truly impact Policy regulation in practice as we as we intend it to do We have a great obligation to do that And I think that the longer this this research program or agenda continues the more data that we have It can go in two different directions it can be so much research that that we kind of lose focus and Or it can be And not be relevant or it can be so much research that ends up being a goldmine of information that really does have this Impact on on our decision-making on key stakeholders decision-making And that's where we need to go I believe in the in the next in the next iteration of this contract that's where we need to go as a commission with the research program in general not just with with the Sigma team, but whether it's that or public safety or The individual studies that we have with communities around the state that are just going to continue to grow What up did you want to add to that? Sure So the original proposal that we submitted back in 2012 Was for a pre-post design so essentially what that meant in terms of assessing social impacts was Doing a very large population survey before any of the licenses had been announced and then waiting until everything had become operational and then doing a second very large Replication of the first at survey to identify changes that might have occurred in gambling attitudes gambling behavior problem gambling prevalence and a host of other related measures What I think No one anticipated least of all the research team was the amount of time that it was going to take for the licensing process to happen and In particular for the two very large resort style casinos to be built so We anticipated over a six-year period that we would field the baseline survey very early on which we did in 2013 and that then we anticipated that by now we would actually be Done with the study and or at least with that proposed study Which would have measured Gambling behavior after all of the casinos had opened That's not going to obviously happen in the life of the existing study since You know we had to wait a year after all of the casinos had opened in order to Be able to capture changes in behavior that reflected the operations of all of the casinos in Massachusetts so while we waited to Figure out the right timing for that survey and we've actually done a lot of work to build systems and data collection mechanisms and data analysis mechanisms such that We've been monitoring baseline conditions and then Conditions in the wake of the construction of the casinos, but we're still sort of just about to begin the Operational phase of the study which would include that very large population survey to look at What the changes have been in behavior? so it's the Because of the extent of time that it took to roll out the casinos I think We've been talking Certainly internally in the team for quite a long time about This really isn't going to be a pre-post study anymore It's going to be more of a rolling evaluation of looking at you know every few years What's going on with the social and economic impacts that we're looking at? And if I may I think that's actually a more accurate and appropriate way to assess impacts anyway as we're looking at The kinds of things that influence industry impacts there's all these external mitigating circumstances that are separate and above from just a Linear way of thinking about pre and post right there's going to be new marketplaces that emerge You know when when this whole thing started legalized sports gambling wasn't on anybody's radar now it is and these kinds of things will Obviously introduce themselves over time. So I think this periodic Assessment is much more appropriate anyway I just had a question the follow-up you said that you had to wait a year after the casinos were open to then go do the Survey to gather the impact study. Is there a research paradigm that drives that one year or there is yet? typically and just to preface this by Seizing from my prepared remarks. I've been a full-time gambling researcher since 1985 So this is like all I've done for my entire professional career And there is very good very solid evidence from multiple jurisdictions that typically What happens with the introduction of a new form of gambling is about between a within about a year to two years of That introduction you see a bump in the prevalence of problem gambling So an increase in the number of people who would be classified as having a gambling problem And then over time. So, you know four years six years later That bump disappears, but it does not It does not eliminate the fact that that increase in prevalence following the major introduction Increases the proportion of the population that is vulnerable to developing a gambling problem in the future So it's a it's a very important Sort of window of measurement if you will to be able to see what the effect is because it Disappears after a while and if you don't take that measure in a timely way If you don't put that survey in the field in a timely way You'll miss it and you won't know what the actual impacts were further out Does that extend to other impacts or are we focusing that one year exclusively on problem gaming? The research evidence is specific to problem gambling. We don't we don't know about the other Did you have a more? I did I prepared five minutes and I timed myself several times So if you will indulge me Happy holidays dr. Valberg. Thank you. My family is in New Orleans hoping that I will be joining them soon great My first appearance at an open meeting of this commission was on March 28th 2013 When I was invited to discuss the launch of a unique first of its kind Research project to study the social and economic impacts of Xenos in, Massachusetts Before beginning my prepared remarks that day I somewhat breathlessly mentioned that I had been working towards a project like this for many years and to be kicking it off In my home state of Massachusetts made this the most exciting day of my professional career When Commissioner McHugh Understandably stopped me and asked me to elaborate I Explained that I had been involved full-time in gambling research since 1985 so at this point That's over 30 years and in all of that time only one jurisdiction anywhere in the world Had established an ongoing research program to examine the impacts of new forms of gambling as these evolve over time That jurisdiction is New Zealand I'm proud of the fact that very early on I played a role in ensuring that our state Legislature was aware of the very best research on gambling being done internationally. I Was happily surprised when I saw that the expanded gaming act Included not only a specific research component, but also a mechanism for ensuring that the research was funded and Today I'm pleased to be able to once again say that this is a most exciting day in my professional career Researchers have speculated that there would be a very significant Positive impacts early in the introduction of a new form of gambling related to tax revenues economic development and employment But over time these Positive impacts might be balanced out and perhaps eventually outweighed by some of the negative social impacts Most specifically problem gambling, but also crime population health environmental impacts Before I go any further on that. I want to just say a heartfelt. Thank you to all of the members of the Sigma team Almost all of them have been with the project since its inception and it has been a true privilege to learn from them How to be an effective leader? Every member of the Sigma team has a distinct area of expertise But over the years we have evolved into a cohesive and cooperative group that in my humble opinion offers the gaming Commission and the Commonwealth an Unparalleled depth of experience and expertise as you seek to understand and address the impacts of gambling in Massachusetts since the study that We discussed that very first day in front of Commissioner McHugh has launched we have comprehensively documented baseline social and economic conditions and Analyze the economic impacts of the construction of two of the three casinos in Massachusetts We are delighted now to be gearing up for a new and exciting phase of the project Namely an evaluation of the social and economic impacts of the operations of Massachusetts casinos as these roll out over the next several years It has taken longer than I think anyone anticipated But we are very much looking forward to being able to deliver on the on the major goals of the study that we originally proposed Some of you will recall our surprise a year ago At the lack of social impacts identified in Plainville after the opening of Plain Ridge Park Casino While there were clearly positive economic impacts We did not find any increase in the rate of problem gambling or in any of the disorders related indices We cautioned at the time that the impacts associated with MGM Springfield and Encore Boston Harbor Were likely to be quite different than the impacts of Plain Ridge Park Most importantly the two resort style casinos are much larger than Plain Ridge Park and have more diverse amenities But also are located in more diverse and economically challenged communities Looking ahead we are particularly interested to see If there are differences in the impacts specific to the type of casino and or to the communities where they are located Understanding such differences will be important in crafting effective and efficient responses to minimize and mitigate any negative impacts and ensure that the introduction of casino gambling Provides the greatest possible benefits to the citizens of the Commonwealth. I look forward to answering your questions Commissioner Cameron. Well, I don't know that I have questions. Just comment First of all, I think and I've said this before traveling to conferences throughout the world people are very very impressed with our research and I would say envious frankly Because I think funding is an issue when it comes to this. So I just want to come in the team for for really Putting forth a product that is top-notch And I love the piece what Mark talked about which was Using it effectively, you know, not just having the research stand alone out here, but actually making decisions based on The information that's that that comes to us from from the research. So I just wanted to thank you all for that It's you know, makes me proud to travel and listen around the world to people Comment about the research and really find it useful to them And I know how hard the teamwork to come up with a plan for the next five years that makes sense So, you know, I'm certainly supportive of This proposal You know, I did want to make a couple of comments one of which was already Mentioned by Dr. Volberg, but I think I would like to clarify to Expound a little bit on And that is the initial the initial timeline the reason a big reason for What effectively now looking back at six years ago what effectively caused us to Shift in terms of time some of these analyses and and and move on into other areas Was a referendum We there was, you know, we started this was prior to a referendum that would Effectively could have effectively eliminated the gaming act all together And we at the time could not make Commitment like we had initially planned on when it came to this particular contract if We were all gonna go home potentially That was the reality so, you know, when it's when we talk back about how long it took That was factor number one later I'm just gonna try to summarize both very difficult development projects and A number of lawsuits Added into into into that timeline So we find ourselves where we did we reacted very Swiftly I think very in nimble ways and and dr. Meldington and Volberg We were instrumental in helping us helping us do that Which lead which leads me to my my second point that I did want to make as well here It was alluded to but let me just also mention The initial response from the segment team was richer in what they were proposing that what we thought was what we wanted to do here going going forward and And and that was what really originated the four Rounds of questions and and responses And that is in the context of the funding that I again wanted to mention here. We initially had All the discretion for funding Just reside with the gaming Commission for these what was a very significant commitment There was a question always as to how we could assess Fund these these these research. There's a public health trust fund that It was in clear that it was going to be operational until after the licenses were operational But there was a clear mandate for a and a need for a baseline study So we we we used our ability our ability to assess licensees to fund all of that initial research and And again, I think we we struck the balance that that needed that needed to happen The funding going forward now is really intended to come from the public health trust fund Which is now operational is mostly funded by the activities of the licensees the taxes there's a 5% on gross gaming revenue that funds the trust fund and A five billion dollar assessment that we that we make we have Been working with the DPH who are the other members of the public health trust fund under an MOU that does dictate that a Minimum of 75% of those funds Will be for activities that DPH has unless it's otherwise agreed by the co-chairs of the public health trust fund And it is in that context that we have now really had the need to To really look at what is most likely to be changing and measure accordingly They have their own priorities to now try to build capacity for treatment of problem gambling and at risk gambling We have our own directive as well and priorities in this case research, but also some of the other responsible gaming measures as rather initiatives and That has been a very important context into those discussions that I think ultimately strike An important balance. It's still a significant commitment for us but it comes with Evaluation by the Sigma team in what it means to have the resources that they've had Towards analyzing those impacts. I will also say that there is a Mark only spoke to these generally, but there is a Carbout if you will that is not part of the one million dollar a year commitment For the follow-up general population survey that I That that the the research team has been very careful in making sure that any planning That's needed for that follow-up He's at least accounted currently in the current contract, but that we would come back correct me if I'm wrong mark For to seek approval to the Commission or when we get that We get that the follow-up general population Study is planned for fiscal year 22 And so this initial contract very takes us through fiscal year 21 when we get to fiscal year 22 This gives us Kind of a foundation that we're working from and some assumptions of what to expect The follow-up general population survey is it's it's a significant investment, but the it provides Incredibly valuable information So it was the request today for the 4.4 for the three-year and the 1.4 for that or not the 1.4 Not the 1.4 today really allows us to head up. Yeah, the request today really is to Initiate a contract for this initial 18-month period I'd like to add that the Having just joined the Commission earlier this year I was aware of the work that you have been doing over the course of Time after the expanded gaming act was enacted because I was lucky enough to be part of early meetings involving research We are very fortunate that the legislature envisioned How important this research would be given that we were a blank slate and how it could inform not only Massachusetts policy but policy really around the world So you you are on the forefront of important policymaking I Would add that I think a challenge For the team is that there is a lot to do and That's mark is pointed out. It's so important to make this research relevant through the translation of knowledge I'm trying to adopt the correct language and So that also requires Important time frames and and meeting certain time expectations, which Is a challenge for all of us As I think about how late I was up last night completing my work, so that will be something that I'll be looking for mainly because we will be Wanting to keep your research as relevant It's possible to the policymaking that will be going forward and again as a commissioner Cameron said it is It is the envy of the world. So We're very fortunate to have your expertise Long-standing expertise and we are very fortunate to know that Assuming the contract is all reason a contractual issues are all resolved that you Understand you're coming from a place of understanding Having this long history with this commission never mind your overall experience. So I think that I love the fact that You are prioritizing that that practical connection and I also know that the time frame will be a challenge But it'll just be an expectation and one that we can work in partnership with This incredible team because it will just make our work in your work easier So that's without presuming. We do have to have some kind of a vote today. I think or at least a consensus Could if I can comment just on the timing element to I think what's important to underscore here with the Commission is Your potential partnership for us and with us to There to help us procure the kind of data that we need in order to do the analysis in a timely manner So there's so many different things that go into our process whether it's the review of research But there's also our reliance on the licensees who are great partners and allowing us to do our work But they are a critical element of that. So the degree to which we recognize that While we do the research there are many parts in that chain that are critical whether it be the review committees or the licensees That allow that if all those pieces are working well together Being able to get timely policy relevant research out quickly is obviously of the utmost importance But but there are several steps in that way I mentioned it mentioned as a partnership because I think part of the the challenge is that is Actually coming up with a timetable so that all the pieces that you need are The timetable is set forth And so that Licensees for for instance would know your expectations and then we will know your expectations And I know that director Vandelen and we'll be working on that piece Because we don't want you to be scrambling for the data And if it needs more time then everybody's expectations should just be adjusted so that we understand That's a that's a critical point that you know We wish we could have mentioned earlier, but I'm glad you mentioned it mark Let me also just mentioned that one of the things that we are now Contemplating is to have more of a standard of reports coming back from from licensees They initially Where happened the way they did they were presented and some of them stuck around And this is one reason there's others that that we think more streamlined Template for how licensees report to us certain things that the statute and regulations require but also how they interact with and and and Send data that is also critical to the Sigma team We'll be we'll be part of that that that process and that's a great example of a Collaboration part of a solution to help you meet only because it will just keep everything relevant So There's a lot of moving pieces to get the data. Yes There's also another one other thing that I will mention along those lines and that is We have had the great help of these of a research review committee That takes and gives feedback on initial drafts That has Unfortunately in the past Extended the time frame for some of these reports more than we all we all wanted so there's a real Effort I would I would submit by the Everybody here that we are hoping to achieve and that is to be more be quicker in In the feedback and and response and streamline that process Going forward the good news is that you know, there's now a real Understanding of how we all work and what you know, what are the usual questions that sometimes we have so there's a real hope that that that process will be Will be improved There is the strategic plan calls for another position to help mark Vendor Linden That he's already posted for that will also hopefully help us do that And that that is an important part of the of what we think is the process here And my point was that you're in the driver's seat so Dr. Volberg you are you're in the driver's seat in terms of The product and all the pieces that you need and so setting up a time frame and really establishing expectations and Understanding that there's going to be the component of our review process so that we can we can support that time frame and of course things happen, but that is part of Making sure that When the when your research comes out and not that there's been a big problem before but as we're going forward It's only going to become more important to keep it super relevant I just want to Echo those comments. I just want to add It's kind of an interesting milestone that we're at but to to say once again that what we've done here what the You know with the legislature and the governor governor Patrick at the time saw To have the foresight to understand that this research puts us on the map Internationally as well as Commissioner and Cameron noted, you know, we're kind of the envy of some of our counterparts And I like a lot of the things that are new you know that are his mark outlines and his membo are not only Continuing the research that we've also already done but as I look through what's playing for the next 18 months new employees survey patron and license plate survey just To reiterate the fact that we know that we have a broader group of stakeholders now that are interested in the research that we're doing and that Communicating that out sharing that with those stakeholders, whether they're tourism bureaus, whether they're workforce agencies I think it's going to really again just Compel the impact or enhance the impact that the research is having As well as for our internal team as we now look at Community mitigation as we now look at workforce development and diversity a lot of the research is going to help our internal team as well so is the chair pointed out this kind of Data translation I think is going to have a lot more avenues is this new contract moves forward So I thank you for kind of keeping that in mind as you put this proposal together Madam chair, I guess with that I would move the commission approve the request to execute a contract with UMass sigma Based on the procurement team's recommendation is outlined in the commissioners packet and is discussed here today I second that For the questions for Dr. Fulver in her team or for director Bandon, all right All those in favor I Opposed Five zero. Thank you and good luck with the next steps on the contracting thing I'm sorry that it's the second motion Do I have a second motion? Yes, I will further. I will move that Director Mark Bender Linden be designated as the contract manager and We authorize to execute the contract on behalf of the commission after consultation with the office of the general council second Those in favor I Post five zero safe travels and thank you again for making your you're rearranging your your holiday into all of you Happy holidays. Thank you. Congratulations. Thank you. We look forward to your continued good work Item number seven dr. Lightbound we have a special guest today Good morning dr. Lightbound Good morning commissioners. Good afternoon Today I have a really exciting thing that I get to do one of our chief stewards is getting a Wonderful national award So I have Susan Walsh who's the chief steward at Suffolk Downs with me today The Pete Peterson outstanding steward award is a national award given out by the racing officials accreditation program Every year to an outstanding steward. It's named after Pete Peterson who they want all the stewards Around the country to aspire to be like integrity outstanding Knowledge of the rules of racing and things like that are important This award is usually given out at the University of Arizona racetrack symposium their global symposium on racing and gaming at their awards luncheon and Susan was unable to attend So we're going to give it to her today There's a special selection committee for this award their members are Rick Beteker who's the California racing boards executive director Hall of Fame jockey pat day Wendy Davis who is the University of Arizona racetrack? Industry program director The former jockey club steward and I retract that nearing dr. Ted Hill Dan Metzger toba president And Scott Wells president of Remington and Lone Star Park and then the former leader trainer and rope accredited steward Hal Wiggins So it's an outstanding group that makes the ultimate decision on who is awarded this nice award to there's a extensive process to you have to be Recommended you have to have a recommendation from somebody from a racing commission somebody from the track management and a fellow steward and so we started working on this I want to thank John Morrissey who has worked with Susan for years who helped me Spread the word that we were doing this and get recommendations You can also have other people put in letters of support Trainers people from your licensing staff We had everybody that we asked was or told that we were doing this was Very enthusiastic They said it couldn't be for a nicer person and they all wanted to do it We could have gotten hundreds of people to send in letters of recommendation Susan has a very interesting resume She she got her bachelor's degree from wells in college. She got a master's degree from harvard university She taught latin and greek at shadyhills school in cambridge for years Also, she started her interest at the racetrack and she began at the bottom so she could learn everything She was a hot walker. She was a groom then she moved on to be an owner a breeder and a Assistant to the track veterinarians and I think I'm missing something trainer and she was a trainer as well So she's done everything at the track She was a founding member of the massachusetts thoroughbred breeders association, which you all are familiar with They come in on a regular basis She was the chair for years and she had success She had the three-year-old champion one year Understand that's right She's written two books about her farm and and the different horses there and she's written several articles about horse racing different horse items She began With as an association steward for the state racing commission in 2001 and in 2006 she Was elevated to the level of chief steward With susan the safety of the horses and the jockeys has always been paramount. She's worked on a numerous initiatives to make sure that Everything at the track is as safe as it can be. She doesn't miss any details from the flowers in the paddock area to You know different conditions for the jockeys the trainers the whole thing One of her also interests has been aftercare through a bred aftercare Which has gotten a lot of interest in the industry Over the last several years. She was one of the early people years ago when she had her own horses When they retired she made sure that either she kept them herself and provided for them in their retirement Or that she found a place where they could be ridden or taken care of always with the understanding that if the person needed to Find another home for the horse that they would return it to her Her interest in it aftercare continued when she went to continuing ed for the Position of steward. They held it in kentucky near old friend's retirement farm for throwbreds And she made sure to make a visit there and i'm sure for susan that was the highlight of her trip The different things that susan have done are almost too numerous to mention, but i'll just mention a few of them A trainer needed a replacement for his handicap van and so she was instrumental in Helping race funds for that He still calls her his angel One of the things that susan did other than just her duties as a steward was she taught English as a second language to backstretch people at suffolk daon's on her own time 20 years later one of them came through our office and licensing and mentioned He basically said she saved my life. She taught me english See one of her um, oh i've heard from several trainers that she's the only steward they've known Race all over the country and that she's the only one they know that can give a trainer bad news About a fine or suspension and the trainer can leave the office happy She's well respected by fellow Stewards as a matter of fact one of her gave her a the name plaque for her desk susan wall's chief steward and had the date when she began and on the Dash to when it would end he put forever As you know from an earlier Beating and i won't read it again because it could barely make it through then but Her she understands that racing is so much more than just Who has won a race and what the statistics are and that it's the memories and all that you build at the race tracks So it's with great pleasure Did I present this award to susan? The p peterson outstanding award is presented to susan k wall's for merit to service to the north american horse racing industry as a racing steward since 2001 susan k wall continually demonstrates a conscientious commitment to a judicious and impartial decision making process through common sense and a comprehensive understanding of the rules of racing treating everybody with respect and integrity Congratulations Madam chair if I could Take executive directors privilege one of the real treats Of going to suffolk downs and going up to the stewards box with susan was not only did she Oversee the race but she would give you the history Of everyone down on the track the horses the people Their family members how she knew them And you could just feel the richness of the history Of suffolk downs if you got an opportunity to visit And and see all the you know the the family connections And so it was a real treat a real pleasure, and I can't imagine a more deserving person I'd like to add to that First of all how lucky are we to have one of the few women in the country as a chief steward And I believe you're only the second woman ever to receive this award So that's outstanding in itself, but I just would like to add that you know, we took racing early on You remember it was like, okay, we're disbanding the racing commission and gaming commission. It's all yours When we would not have been successful as regulators susan without you frankly to help us with that I learned so much from you and your passion is infectious How much you care about it's it's been said no, it's it's the horses. It's the people It's every aspect of This wonderful sport that it is that you your knowledge Dr. Lightbaum mentioned One of the Criterion this was knowledge. I would put you up against anyone in the world with your knowledge about racing and How it should be done the right way just sitting in the booth with you listening as as Our executive director just pointed out your knowledge and your passion is amazing the respect that you have from your male colleagues Is is apparent as well and as we just heard, you know You're so well trusted and admired that even A penalty or a fine is is taken graciously because they know How much you understand the sport and that you're looking out for the best interest of the sport At all times so I just it's been such a pleasure to get to know you to understand And and learn from you and I know how lucky we've been to have you here and i'm so glad you've been recognized For your accomplishments. They are amazing. Thank you Thank you. Um, I would like to thank dr. Lightbrown for Generating all the background for this award because I thought you just wrote somebody's name and put it in a hat And it was much more complicated and she did all that background However, she never told me she was going to make a speech about this So I wasn't prepared, but um, I wish I don't know where to begin when when I was training horses Uh, one of the horses we had at the track at the time we retired and we didn't have anybody coming up So I had to stop training and in the summer of 2000 I was working at rockingham as I called it the fake vet Anyway, and my husband But that was going to that job was going to end in september And I got home one day and my husband said oh, you won't believe this in the raising form Is an ad they want to steward at Suffolk Downs I he said you got to apply. I said i'm not going to apply for that. Those are just old guys I just never had thought of of that as being a career choice And when I was a trainer a steward was somebody you avoided at all costs You just didn't want to know about the stewards So just to humor my husband I applied and I mean those Amazingly, I got the job and I must say Every morning for the next 19 years when I was waking up in the morning And I thought what day is it? Oh, I have to go to work. That was a good thing. I never ever Didn't try to get to work to start the day because you never knew what was going to come in that door when you got to your office It was an amazing amazing thing And people that I've known at the racetrack I've been to harvard and I can tell you honestly that some of the smartest people I know I know from the racetrack It's a wonderful wonderful place And my only regret is I'm going to go down in history as the last steward But other than that, it's been it's been wonderful. Thank you very much. Thank you, dr. Lightman Thank you. Most deserving. Most deserving. Thank you. Congratulations. I did have a question Prior, how did you first get involved in in racing? You mentioned when you first were a steward when I was a little kid Um, I didn't want a pony for Christmas. I wanted to race horse because When I was a kid we got a television We which I our first television and I got to watch the kentucky derby 1955 And I chose to root for this one beautiful horse And he won and from then on I was obsessed with horse racing. I used to grab my My father's copy of sports illustrated and tear out the part about racing and I kept him in the square I've always loved horse racing and my first horse when I finally get out of My education and I had a job and I could afford a horse. It was a horse from the track And that's been it for me. They're just they're wonderful wonderful animals and everyone that works at the track Is only there because of how wonderful those animals are They'd rather be there than any place else That's It's a great place. Thank you. Well, we congratulate you and and we're so proud That you are part of massachusetts history And that you've received this award dr. Lightbound I've only known you a short time, but I do know your emotion in your storytelling and your reporting and she It's a little choked up today Because she recognizes all that you've done and I did get a little bit of a glimpse of the of the history that you provided when I went to The second to last race at stop it and I was lucky enough to see you at work I feel privileged for that personal glimpse, but more importantly You know, dr. Lightbound has recognized The contribution you've made to this industry and to all the people who are so much part of that That Industry that you both love so much. So thank you and congratulations Thank you Well, um, I have to say that our next item on the agenda is lunch, but Because I think I'm allowed to address matters that I didn't reasonably anticipate I think I have three Gentlemen in the back who I'd like to welcome And have them come forward And I'd love to have Janice Riley come forward too, please So joining us today Is Chair Crosby Who's accessing a chair right now with the help of a crutch Had a had a Significant operation, but seems to be navigating Well breathing through it And we have commissioner mcdonald And commissioner mcqueow Who have come here because We've been noting this date Over the course of several last meetings that Today would be janice's last date And when you are employee number one you get some special recognition So before I turn to my immediate colleagues, can we turn to your former colleagues? Um Mr. Chair will you like to allow you would you like to go first? I think he wants to go first I would be privileged. There's only one chair And that would be you Chair jud stein, but as the former chair, I'm pleased to do this. Um, as you can tell Um, I just had hip replacement surgery 10 days ago. This is the first time I've been outside my house But nothing could have kept me from being here on this particular day Um, and since janice and I go way back. I'm just going to take a minute to tell a little bit about that We first met 40 years ago actually almost literally 40 40 years ago in 1979 When I was kevin whites campaign manager and she was executive assistant to his chief of staff, uh, micho spring Um, we got to be friends, uh 40 years ago That was nice She then first came to work with me in 1983 with my publishing company the crossby vandenberg group That was a big year. It was the year of my first marriage and the year of janice's last marriage Congratulations Congratulations steve cavanaugh. You did it Um, and we worked together quite a long time with the crossby vandenberg group Um, then janice worked with me a second time in the year 2000 when governor solucci asked me To be the secretary of administration and finance and I had no idea I said except for the fact that I know nothing about state administration and finance I'd be happy to take the job So as you have heard, uh, I joined kathy judge stein who was there at the time um, I uh first phone call I made Was to janice to see whether she would join me Um, and she became my chief of staff at the a and f Um, we had a lot of notable experiences there as we have had over many years Probably the most notable was we were there in 9 11 together When the governor lieutenant governor the chief of staff and almost all the other staff the state house was empty Um, the governor and the staff went to the civil defense bunker Because nobody knew what was going on if you remember that morning And janice and I and two or three others were supposed to hold the fort for the governor's office in the state house And as we were not sitting there with closed screens We heard fighter jets going overhead and we're thought oh my god, you know, could they be coming for the state house too? Um, as it turned out, it was just a national guard f 16s But it was a scary and and memorable moment as it was for for everybody Then in the fall of 2001, I got this utterly unexpected and utterly bizarre bizarre phone call from governor patrick Asking 2011 the fall of 2011 Asking if I would become the founding chair of the mass gaming commission Um, I said yes, some of you have heard the story of the governor's chief of staff's reaction to that which I won't recount now But when I was accepted I My first call was to janice riley and I said to janice i'm going to go do this crazy job Do you have one more in you? And janice said yes So janice was the first employee as chairman jud stein said first employee of the gaming commission She sat in a spare office in the comptroller's office Trying to figure out how the hell do you build a gaming commission and a gaming industry? Meanwhile, jamie and I who were employees two and three were still at you mass boston happily working away But from that moment on janice, uh, was at the center of building this agency And of building a culture at this agency that we could be proud of Almost from the beginning all five commissioners Who are now here the original five commissioners? Committed to a casino licensing and regulatory process That we characterized as must be Participatory transparent and fair That was our central commitment to our work And nothing has been more central to our work since that moment Janice obviously in close collaboration with elaine driscoll Come hell or high water Was the guarantor of that commitment to participation and to transparency? No matter how obscure the venue No matter how insecure the gymnasium No matter how small the town No matter how angry the neighbors No matter how fragile the it No matter how funky the audience even when they worried about bamboo growing all over the place No matter how complicated the logistics For every public meeting was Every public meeting was streamed Every public meeting had mics Every public meeting had chairs Every public meeting had a stenographer Every public meeting was properly noticed And for every public meeting every commissioner was properly prepared This was I think we would all agree A virtually flawless and vital logistical performance That made participatory and transparent possible And oh by the way Did I mention that janice orchestrated our moves into three new offices three new different offices In our first few years seamlessly That was another virtually flawless and vital logistical performance that made our work possible And that's just the half of it Janice provided a discreet shoulder to lean on in times of stress wise counsel to us as commissioners and to the staff As we tried to meet the challenge of building the plane as we were also flying it And on a personal note janice provided strong and honest and thoughtful advice And sometimes admonitions To the commission chair that was me Who sometimes saw standards as more onerous than they really were Or sometimes saw rules as silly when they really weren't Thank you for saving my ass I Asked janice riley in late 2011 whether she had one more big job job in her The answer to that question has been clear hell. Yes Thank you janice for your friendship your integrity Your relentless can-do spirit and your infinite patient professionalism. I love you I Commission McDonald can handle it. I mean commissioner. I'm a cue. I think it's can handle it Sure you can too Oh technology janice Call janice I just asked for her help I didn't I don't have that long history with janice None of us did But the history I have had with her Was enormously valuable, you know, I can remember the the day we walked into The building that first building we had done Whatever street it was i'm getting oh 84 state. There you are. That's why you're so helpful I Called janice and And we walked into a building into a room a huge room There were six of us seven six or seven of us walked into that room There was nothing there And uh, that's how I I felt that day we we I was excited. I was eager I had a clue as to how to get started And looking around this big empty room one one of my A grandchild and visited later and said we could go bowling here I thought that was a good idea. We never brought it up. We never followed it up But slowly and and with increasing speed janice engineered Putting together the physical space at the same time she was putting together The relationship and helping to put together the relationship between The commissioners we were all strangers to each other. We'd had some time to get together After we were appointed But we didn't know each other well and she helped enormously with that and she continued to do that and she did all of the things that steve so ably Mentioned here and and was the the valuable piece of all of all of that but For me the the the major thing that I take away is that In every organization you you'll find people with titles you'll find people with on the organization chart You'll find people with with the responsibilities that are to find But you'll always need in order for an effective organization to really hum Somebody who is the go-to person somebody who When things get tough You can go do for advice somebody who's not afraid to and knows how to Say to somebody with a title You you made a bad call there or somebody Is wounded because of something you said or something isn't quite right here and let's Help you fix it And that's an essential ingredient of a high performance organization And we became a high performance organization yet. We had a few bumps in the road But we became a high performance organization And we did it because we were dedicated to it, but because As I look back on this Janice was there to perform that function and she performed it time and time again For all of us. She was the glue that kept the organization together in tough times She was there with advice. She was calm She was gentle in her up braiding but firm and she was Indispensable ingredient of the success that We achieved And as steve said of a culture that was created one in which everybody truly believes And can recite their belief In the notion that the commission is to be participatory transparent and fair So I thank and I know on a personal level That there were a number of times when I benefited enormously From those talents that gentleness that firmness and that fearlessness in addressing Problems that were occurring So thank you janice for what you did to me for me personally Thank you for what you did to build this commission into the organization that it is today And thank you for Doing all of that For the common Madam chairman commissioners I came to the commission with undoubtedly The greatest challenge that anybody Has come to work at the commission had And that was to be the successor To the gentleman on my left Because I was appointed by the attorney general to fill the unexpired term of Of judge mcqueo It became apparent to me very quickly How close janice was to jim And I remember in particular a photograph In her office in which She was in an ice house restaurant Literally an ice house restaurant With jim and his wife and Janice and her husband and one of the troopers was a dean Dean And I never did get an invitation From janice as to to to join her at that restaurant Surprise But on a on a serious note that From the first day that I came and threw out my two and a half year tenure on the commission Janice made me feel As if I was in fact a worthy successor To jim mcqueo And for that I will always always be very very grateful. And so I was pleased To get the call to be able to participate with steve and and jim in honoring you today Shall I start with at my right? Thank you commissioner janice I'll try Commission rick donald that you described that a restaurant as an ice house. I think it was a vodka bar So and and that actually is part of the beauty of janice riley frankly You know, I grew up here in massachusetts graduated from college, but then I left for 29 years. So coming back I did not know anything about state government Rarely not much about boston had never worked here So janice quickly became my go-to person. I'm in florida waiting to start. I've been appointed And i'm calling janice steve said call janice so Of course, I did that and she from day one There was never a question that I asked that she didn't find an answer for if she didn't know it Anything to do with boston or state government janice was invaluable to me in teaching In a way that was irreverent irreverent, which I love by the way You know just everything we needed to do and now that I think about how seamless it all was my god Frankly, you're irreplaceable janice. You really are so we're lucky to get you back two days a week We're gonna continue to use all those skills seriously But to think about all we've been through and god almost eight years janice employee number one Um You just made it work. You kept the trains running. You are the glue Um in in a way that for all of us is just um You know, it's helpful, but yet it's but yet it's real right? It's jesus We have to do it this way or just just telling us giving your opinion on how things should go and um What the intelligence was what the room was like who was there? Um, I would say who's this person over there? They looked angry. She goes. Oh, you don't know so You know, so just was you were just invaluable to us and really um the trains have run really really well and You know, you may be irreverent, but you care so much about our mission and getting it right janice You know anytime of day and night you're you're always there to kind of problem solve for us. So I I can't I can't even think about what this job would have been like with uh without you there to To really assist and some of the things we've been through. I know we've uh, we've talked about it a lot, but it's just Thank you so much. Um Miss well, we'll still be friends by the way but but But but have a bar. Yeah Well, yeah, I mean that was that was we were being kind there, but that's what it was. It was a vodka bar, so Thank you, janice. I've loved working with you We'll miss working with you although we still have a lot of good work to do so I can't thank you enough frankly all right commissioner zuniga I'm I'm gonna go. I'm do you want to go uh in uh, I'm thinking of old new. Yeah, well, I don't want to say old But I want to say Am I right? Am I right? Or is it commissioner stephens would be next? I think it's I was appointed third I uh, I had the pleasure of knowing uh knowing janice six days before before I voted in the in the meeting Uh for your hiring, which I think it turned out really well Really well for us. Um, I don't know that I have much to add that hasn't been said except that um Emphasizing some of the points that are critical Helping us get through those very bumpy roads at times And coming out of it much better Is is critical Helping in the culture that is that helps this organization to this day. And I think we'll continue to do that When some of us are are no longer here Was also critical And you're very benign way of coming to speak truth to power and trying to be persuasive When we need it to be persuaded It's also something that we're going to be very thankful for that. I am very thankful for So, thank you commissioner stephens Thank you, madam chair. I'm mindful I got to say a few things last week when there was no live Running that I won't repeat Um, I also got to take note that uh, maybe because we're so close to the holidays I can make the analogy. We're being visited by three wise men Who unfortunately have not shown up with frankincense murrin any gold But um, I I you know my colleagues and I again, uh, all walked into, uh, an office space, uh With really jannis and jamie being part of the team that was going to help us navigate those Those early days, um, I think it's important to point out those hearings that steve talked about We were all up on stage. We all had state police around us It was jannis who was in the back of the room in the line of fire Um, that took a lot of those shots, but um, it's been a pleasure to work with jannis I consider her a friend certainly a fellow red socks fan um You know she uh She comes to us every meeting or before every meeting and uh says hey, do you have everything? and You missed that this morning, and I'm kind of glad you did. I'm not sure I could have held it together, but Thank you so much Commissioner brian So unlike the other three up here that have spoken I am like judge mcdonnell where I jumped into the slipstream of a commission already fully in motion And it can be tough to jump in as it's moving and I have to say from that perspective You were no less essential To me than you were to the people when when it was starting out And you were the person who as I said last week Whenever one else is off and doing their job and you're the one who remembered that maybe I might need to know You know where to park and where to go and it's time to get on a boat Which was very helpful. Um, I do also I had the the very candid personal conversations with you You know that I will miss The one thing I think that I will miss the most about your presence and your influence is that you don't even need to speak To let me know exactly what you thought of what just came out of my mind And so to think of january 9th to look in the back of the room to not see that to gauge how I'm doing And to not see the touchstone that for me lets me know what's going on is Is going to be very different and I'm sure we will survive as an organization, but we will be um that much Less in that regard until we find someone who can help Us keep going so I will miss you and I thank you very much and I I wish you Fun and wine and enjoyment in your retirement So it's not lost on any of us that many of your colleagues have come in As much as they wanted to see that the former commissioners and chair They're here to honor you We were really lucky last week In the in the public meeting to Present the mcqueen award To janice as ed described and we did have a chance to make comments and embarrass janice But I thought it would be really nice to do this while we're streaming Fairly transparently and with great participation So, um, I guess that I would comment that I did have the privilege of of knowing janice when she worked for Then secretary crosby and and I was in the governor's legal office Janice was the person that many people kind of said oh i'm a little bit afraid You go ask But um immediately immediately I I knew that that was Sort of that charlestown smart and I could handle my vermont naivety And we could communicate well and I missed janice after you became chief of staff the governor's office We we missed her presence, but I was lucky enough to occasionally bump into her and then After steve left you mass and came here I I commented the other day how I bumped into you at a very gratuitous time chair Crosby had already told me oh everything has to be done in public meeting and And we can't choose carpet without talking about it publicly, but janice supplied more detail And said to me cathy I have to monitor The commissioner's restroom stops To make sure that there's not three of them in the bathroom Violating the open meeting law And I said good luck with that You But janice for me here and that's the critical piece because I'm saying goodbye to you as a number one employee And I think we think the number the first employee to retire from the commission We think we believe that to be the case in any case lots of number ones all around like eileen um I came on at a time when things were quite complicated And I had the benefit Of you having your judgment In your insight in your care To work with me to be however successful I could be at that time When it was complicated And I was so lucky to know I could rely on that and that was um a gift and I was And you know it all three of the Former commissioners had told me that I would have that but I already knew that you being there would make all the difference to me You do have those smarts that have you know eyes on the back of your head That make us all really Really acutely aware But it's not just Sensitive issues. It's you know all those issues of of being a good colleague and being Being there for each other And you've been all of that for me in the short time. So on a personal note, I'm going to miss you very very much But on a professional note and judge mckew you you um and I shared the same sentiment You're a very very good friend and you've been a great friend to um to steve I think he she might have been the reason for your success throughout your career sounds like I mean just saying But um You know your as we said you're personally so good to everyone But you have really served the commonwealth and the public and for that we are eternally grateful So thank you and I wish you well in your retirement And if you happen to do a little bit more public service, we'll welcome it but um Try to get on that sailboat with that husband of yours and uh and enjoy And we know that we will see you As a friend and in whatever form you you want to continue serving the public Good luck so We are still in our official meeting I'm gonna oh, I I'm gonna allow janice to speak I just wanted to let everybody know we are still in our official meeting We will be concluding after janice's remarks for lunch I wanted to um just this is a logistic note that janice would no janice would janice would tell me that um And uh after janice's remarks It will be um We'll be returning a little bit later than our our plan probably closer to 140 45 to 2 um for our um second half of our meeting and now Before janice makes her remarks Could you come up janice to this awkward place, please? You want me here, right? and um The the mic is on and and that's Elaine Driscoll So um, this is actually as much of a presentation from the commission. It's really a presentation too from your colleagues I'll read it into the microphone um Janice Riley It's on the 19th day of december 2019 the massachusetts gaming commission proudly presents to you this distinguished service award In grateful appreciation of her distinguished service to the massachusetts gaming commission and the commonwealth of massachusetts Janice's efforts as chief administrative officer Have been instrumental in the commission's ability to successfully build a new public agency While simultaneously implementing a new and complex expanded gaming law The commission thanks her for all she has done for commissioners Mgc staff and mgc's many stakeholders Upon her retirement from the commonwealth the mgc extends its heartfelt gratitude for her measurable an immeasurable contribution consummate professionalism An admirable dedication to public service Her rightful place all along. Oh, no. Oh, no as we all know you know where I like to sit at the back of the room um again I am humbled by all of your words When steve called to say do you have one more in you? I had no idea what it was going to involve. Thank god because I probably would not have said yes um, but It has been a privilege and honor and a pleasure to work with all of my colleagues who are here um We've been We've come a long way since 2012 when we started this journey at 84 state street um, and i'm very proud of all we've accomplished and Uh walk away Kind of bittersweet about it, but happy and proud of all we've done and I couldn't have done it without all of you I Was so fortunate when we first started to get five commissioners who did not know one another at all but who were willing to just roll up their sleeves and dig in and None of us really do anything about the industry, but uh, we all kind of learned together and um It's been the journey of a lifetime. I can say that honestly and again proud of all that we've accomplished and It's grateful for the colleagues and people that I've worked with over the years It none of it again. I said this the other day would have been possible without all of your efforts. Um, You've been Incredible anytime. I asked for help or needed to have Assistance with anything there were many many hands that were put out to help me and I will be grateful for that forever um I'm not going to say goodbye. I'm going to say see you soon and thank you all and thank you all To all the commissioners all the commissioners Thank you and we'll convene um at we'll convene at 145. Thank you We're reconvening commission meeting number 284 And we are now turning to happily item number eight And happily because we have a wonderful group of guests here today Mars great. Good afternoon commissioners and chair um I'm going to just go down the line and and um introduce the the guests in our first row and then Teresa will come up for part two and she will introduce our guests and the in the second row So I um, I'm joined by marlene warner executive director of the mass counseling compulsive gambling Uh ray fluidt who is um the senior game sense advisor at on core boston harbour josh well new Right who is a gsa game sense advisor at on core boston harbour and and david tang Who is also a game sense advisor at on core boston harbour Um Welcome, so uh, Teresa did a very good job of scripting this presentation and she's given me two minutes To uh to talk You're already a minute in no it starts right now commissioner mark the clock is on I can say a lot about game sense, but um There are a few points that I think I really want to to make um, this commission introduced game sense four years ago um as The time I considered a solution for a piece of the statute that called for an onsite space What we have created since that time is a a program that means something that It provides information to patrons at Probably one of the most important times where they could be making these decisions provides them with information so they can make an informed choice about their gambling decisions We are growing a body of evidence that supports the idea that the patrons at our massachusetts casinos Our patrons at our massachusetts casinos Are are taking in information and using that information and it's informing their their play Um, and it's informing their their their play to keep their gambling safe Our game sense advisors are providing information to persons who are also considered at risk where their gambling behavior is risky or They're experiencing A degree of harm as a result of their gambling and they're they are there at that pivotal time of Of their life and providing them with information and resources to to get help That's much more than just a solution to to something that's that that is something that that means something We won't stop doing that core function, but We have an incredibly talented team That is dedicated to improving this service as well. How can we do a better job of providing that information? At that point in time so that the the patrons can can Can stay in a zone of playing safe? This is this is something that's moving from where 10 years ago The solution for responsible gaming was making sure that brochures were available To one where we're talking about different segments of players We're talking about providing information to different players based upon their needs and their their level of play We're moving from something that that was a brochure to something that is science And that is is incredibly important work. Um, and the individuals that are here today Um, represent some of the best of that work. It's two minutes. So, um I'm excited to turn it over to marlene warner who um from day one of developing the game sense program Has contributed to developing this this program Good afternoon commissioners I am really pleased to be here and to talk a little bit about What has been happening over the last six months? Obviously a very large piece happened, which is we opened a new game sense information center Well a new casino within a new casino opening and that was obviously at court boston harbour This is our largest team Across the three properties. We currently have 10 staff members there We opened with 12 and one of the things we talked to you about When we came just just two weeks ago four weeks ago whenever we were here was about being adept and Changing with what we saw was happening And one of the things we realized is that we didn't need some of our part-time staff and we're going to Ray will talk a little bit more about kind of the day-to-day operations at Alcora boston harbour, but i'm so pleased that we have some of the folks here So let me talk to you a little bit about how we developed that team. We've learned a lot When we opened that playing rich park because you know We not unlike probably everyone and Lisa can probably speak to this We're kind of just figuring it out as we were going I think someone alluded to earlier this morning, you know, kind of Trying to figure things out as the ship was moving. We were doing the same thing And so we've learned tremendously about what our staff need what they need in terms of Infrastructure what they need in terms of things as simple as our Way we are addressed today. This is the official uniform of on court boston harbour and Game sense center and And really how we best train them and support them in that initial orientation, but also in that ongoing Lead into a casino opening So there are four weeks of training and that's often shocking to people to know that we spend that much time But we think it's vital The the staff have been recruited Almost exclusively from the casino industry So we have staff and you'll hear a little bit about some of the background of some of the folks we have here today But from our regional casinos both here in Massachusetts and in Connecticut and Rhode Island and they come with Again, you heard me say this a few weeks ago come with an immense amount of Skill when it comes to assessing what's going on around them being able to connect with all kinds of patrons Knowing games inside and out, but they all come with The understanding of how to lead someone to gamble and not necessarily how to explain the games how to Engage someone in a conversation about odds that would then lead someone to Reflect on their own gambling behavior And so that is something that really needed to be taught and needed to be practiced So we spent four weeks with our team most of which was actually at the Envision Hotel in Everett and That was an opportunity for them to learn things like motivational interviewing How do you spend time with someone and start to lead them towards a conversation about Again, reflecting on their own behavior and making making a decision to change A problematic behavior for them. We led them through conversations around You know, we may have somebody who's in Someone who's an expert in slots, but doesn't know much about roulette Making sure they know those games inside and out and some of that is is teaching across The individuals we have a lot of experts and a lot of things, but also bringing in a lot of information I think one of the things that was really key and mark touched on this is making sure they understand what the data That has been collected. And so this is kind of a perfect segue from the earlier presentation from Dr. Volberg and her team is what do we know already and how can we apply that to the work of game sense? And so that has been one of the things that we've learned, right? What do we know about players in massachusetts their their behaviors? What do we know about average spend? What do we know about their casino play versus their lottery play? All those things have been Expressed to the game sense advisors and kind of broken down so we can figure out What does this mean about the day-to-day interactions? Again, those are things that are happening in those four weeks In addition, a lot of time was spent on making sure that they know how To have a positive experience with every person they encounter no matter what that person presents with so that could look like someone who's Concerned and troubled when they come into a voluntary self-exclusion program that could look like as somebody who is Engaging as a family member in the casino that could look like, uh, you know, we've spent a lot of time also training them to Be able to go out and do trainings and engagement community engagement and outreach Out in the hosting surrounding communities to the casino So the encore team I think benefited and we actually brought some of our team members from some of the other game sense information centers in Because I think we've finally gotten it right. I think we know the sweet spot in terms of Where they need to spend the most time and where they need the most practice And then what are some of those booster shots that we need to continue to provide? Moving forward and we continue to do that and hone in on that As I said, we have our team from across the gaming industry and yet they I often think they all could go back and have a second career as clinicians They are really sympathetic. They are open to hearing different approaches and practice them So I'm going to turn it over to ray who can really give you a better sense as to what did the encore opening look like But now you know a little bit about the background of our team members My focus really when we first started opening encore and going there was The team members that encore has the staff that they have there to try to make sure that they are really Intuned with the game sense program because as you can see from my bio, my history is from table games And in the many many years that I've been in the industry I didn't never heard anything about respond for the Never went through any kind of training for it We just really Thought that the casino didn't care You know, that's the way it was and it's it's Probably still like that in plenty places other than massachusetts here But uh Yeah, we So when I went there, I didn't want These casinos that the the casino workers that they're hiring to still have that Feeling that they can't talk to her guests. They can't say it's time to take a break They can't say well, you know what there is a voluntary self-exclusion program so between training these guys at the same time we were trying to engage with the uh New hires that encore is bringing in so we were part of their orientation process and For the first three weeks prior to opening Lynn Ho my senior gamesense advisor and myself were able to Engage with 3,500 of their employees And with that we go through the training and i'm hearing from these employees how It's okay I'm not going to get in trouble if I tell somebody that you know what you might need to take a break today You know, it's okay that um, I could send them over to the gamesense center You know, there is a voluntary self-exclusion program I know where the center is located and uh, it was really good to hear that from them because Your your employees are people too. They're not machines. They're not a slot machine. They have the feelings I mean, I could tell you many stories from my own personal experience Of how I felt my hands were tied With a person that is really you can tell they're destroyed and they're spending their last time here and Neglecting family and to come To a program like this is really I mean full turnaround for me And I wanted to share that with the staff And another reason why I really wanted to do it is because Encore is going to have hundreds of thousands of guests coming in there And I have a staff of 10 How do I engage with these guests? You know, how can I make it work where I can Uh get my staff of 10 To get out there and try to be the front line And it sometimes doesn't work that way you get the employees to be the front line You know, they are the ones the dealer is hearing the story from the player They're here the slot attendant is seeing the same person every day and they're they're building the relationships with these people and Then they're Getting us in tune to it and knowing that you know what you might want to come over and talk to this person You know, so it's really really a good thing Since opening um, it became more difficult with the trainings to um Engage with the people that have already started prior to us getting involved And so we went from four trainings a month to over 20 A month and and those because they're working in a 24 hour industry Our trainings had to range from like seven in the morning to midnight You know, so um, I had to call upon my staff that just got hired to you know what I need help You know, so these guys really stepped up our training that we did as malin Told you earlier the four weeks. We also went into how to do presentations And then on court really did a real special thing where they um held a train the trainer class strictly for game sets And um, I jumped at that opportunity. Yes. You want to do that? You know, we're all over it and I was able to even bite um games and devices from the other properties from mgm and ppc to come and actually go through the training And it it helped them immensely. So now when they're getting in front of 50 to 100 people at a time and Talking about the program something they're very passionate about They can feel comfortable talking to all these people And on a daily basis we get um, I would say we did 110 voluntary self-exclusion so far since the casino has opened and about half of them stemmed from a poor employee setting the person on us Whether it's a security guard escorting them over to the center Or a slot attendant or a dealer suggesting the program Or even um red card, you know on a daily basis red card sends people over to us that are just signing up for um a new card And they're saying you know what once you go over and see the game sense center, you know, they really Have something special. They could program to show you and they can also um, Give you something you're not going to walk away empty handed You know not everybody gets those game sense socks. You know that we have but yeah, it's uh it's a really good thing and um And every small interaction with a person whether it's just Giving them a little piece of swag or something all of a sudden they say what is game sense? And that's where we're able to go into our pulse field and we don't lead them with um Your we're about responsible gambling. That's not our first focus Uh, we we say you know what? We're all about keeping gambling fun You know and that's what we're at, you know And if I use the word responsible gambling problem gambling anything like that a lot of times They're going to put the hand up and walk away, you know, they don't want to hear it It's not for me, but if we're talking about we're keeping gambling fun You know and exciting and using your entertainment budget and I can go further into it and uh We'll actually talk about the games in the house edge With you, you know We can tell you where the house edge is built into every gate and show you how a slot machine works And how random it is and and what you've just done on this particular spin on a roulette wheel Doesn't necessarily mean that's going to change what happened in the next spin And then explaining this stuff to people and their eyes just open up You know, so it all starts off with a little high. How you doing and it works into a full A sense presentation And we can do this in just a few minutes too So it's very exciting On core it's great property to work in. I'm very happy. It's I've worked at all three of them You know I hope this is the last one. It's like I I can't continue to can move But uh, I mean it is fun and I um, I have a great staff that uh, it's really really engaged in the program One like mommy Molly said our focus was to pick up people with gaming knowledge and gaming background But really it's to me was about customer service You know, how to be able to talk to people and And let them feel that you know what you're not trying to sell them something But you're really servicing them and making them feel good about themselves and you can spread our message in that way So I did bring a couple of shining stars with me here today You know, I have David Tang and Josh Malinu and uh, they're here to talk about themselves. So Go ahead Josh Good afternoon. Good afternoon When I first heard about game sense It was actually during my orientation to be an assistant food court manager at plain rich park casino And when I heard about it, I thought this is a cool idea But how could you actually incorporate this like how could I actually use this in my daily life? So while I was working there I'd have Regulars coming up every day that I would always have a good time talking to and it was nice to see them But in the back of my mind, I was always kind of sad because that generally means So you're at this casino for hours every day and you're telling me about how you're losing money And I wasn't really in a comfortable enough space to feel like I could talk to them about it and then I heard that game sense was hiring and I actually started to talk to ray and ronnie Who works at plain rich more to hear more about the mission and exactly what game sense does and so I applied Got the job and then I started working at encore boston harbour Which I found very interesting because ironically when I was there I started talking to other employees at the casino and they would all go I mean, what do you guys do just ban people just help you have gambling problems? And I went okay, I can understand because that's exactly what I thought So it's been very interesting to watch how this program has grown with knowledge Of the different members that work at the casino because there was one instance for example where someone came to the casino After five years, they'd stopped gambling that almost lost their home They had to borrow money from their grandmother just to keep going and staying stable in life And they wanted to just celebrate and check out the casino because it just opened. They thought it'd be cool I got a call from security, which I never imagined would happen because they were always scoffing at the idea saying Can you come over to this location and speak to this person? It sounds like They need to talk about their gambling habits So I brought her over to the game center and as we were talking we were just talking about The different things that happened with her what she had lost what she was afraid of losing and how She had rebuilt her life after these five years and was scared that she's going to throw it all away So as the conversation goes on she continues to reveal that She was that day supposed to go to ga to give a speech about not gambling for five years And how it had saved her life and made it so much better And showed how much appreciation she had for game sense for being there to help her exclude herself So she wouldn't have to go through that process again And it made me think back to when I originally started at plain ridge about kind of scoffing at the idea And realized how cool it was that this was really a multi-level sort of deal Instead of being a place that people go to Just when they have a gambling issue or they have to continue going It was a place that you can go when you start going to casinos And we could teach you how to avoid that and how to understand how the games work If you felt like you were getting to a level where it was getting out of your control We could help you exclude yourself And we could help you make sure you don't get into that area And then for the people who actually had gone through the issues before And realized that the patterns about to repeat we could help them as well So it really Came home to me how great of a program it is because of just the multi-level layer Which we can help people overcome these different issues and almost as a preventative measure before it even starts And it's also just fun because you go to the casino now and all the people that originally kind of laughed at the idea You're joking around with talking about how great of a program this is and all the different Different actions they've seen and shown why game sense is so important So that's been my experience so far. So I think this is an excellent program. It's my favorite job I've ever had and love to keep this All thing going Thank you Good afternoon commissioners Thank you, Josh. It's gonna be tough to follow it up All right, um Maybe able to move it like this to help you better Do not pull the microphone towards you We don't have that No, but ours says that's something else which I occasionally remember to read you're better Sorry So my first uh, my first experience with gambling was my um Well, both my parents have had issues with problem gambling in the past and My first encounter with gambling or with the casino industry was Probably at the age of 13, right? And my mom had been a casino table games dealer for quite a while So I've seen both the good and the bad sides of the casino industry and the gaming industry um I know she continued to have an ongoing problem and you know When I heard about game sense, I had been working at mgm springfield and it just it seemed like a call to action for me Because you know, they're there's no such program in Connecticut Right, um, at best they have a 1 800 number. Maybe Maybe a little card. I don't think it's even a brochure that says if you need help call this number Right, um, it's also Game sense is unique in that it's neutral on gambling. It's not adversarial in that way I feel like a lot of gamblers are afraid to reach out because they're afraid to be judged on the morals To be judged on a lack of willpower, you know, um to be just judged as a person So they shy away from any anti gambling programs or strategies So the fact that game sense is more about understanding compassion more about education more about health and prevention You know, I think that makes such a huge difference um Just recently we had a lady who was a local a patron that was coming to the casino basically every week Um multiple times a week She was from the next town over in shelsey and she had gotten to know every single game sense advisor at the encore property by name Right, um, and so she obviously enjoyed gambling. She enjoyed talking to the game sense advisors And she started encountering a little bit of a problem with her gambling habits Where she was spending more money than she was comfortable with she had to cut back on her food budget You know, it's um, it's a relatively common story But this story had a happy ending because after going through this for weeks on end Finally it just clicked, you know, somebody said something to her and All the pieces of the puzzle fit together and she understood inside that I have to leave at some point You know, it's all well and good that I'm having fun But I have to set a budget I have to set a time limit for myself and she completely transitioned into Healthier gambling habits into more sustainable gambling habits So she didn't stop all together and part of the research shows and you know I'm so grateful that we have all this training to help us understand this because I personally learned a lot Even though I've been around gambling and gaming since h-13. I learned a lot when I joined game sense That a lot of problem gamblers don't stop gambling All right, they continue gambling throughout their lifetime, but sometimes they transition to A more sustainable healthier version where they're not spending their you know daily no bread food water rents all that stuff and They're not spending their entire paychecks every single time they engage in any of these activities So she came over to us. She was telling us how happy she was You know and that she was leaving Exactly even It can be a challenge sometimes, right? um But hearing that seeing that happen live You know, it gives me a lot of hope for the gaming industry because I I know that Over time there's only going to be more and more casinos opening up. There's going to be more States more areas that are going to be legalized in gambling So unless we find a healthy way to incorporate into society it can do a lot of harm right, so Another case and point is that we work really really well with a lot of the employees at encore Right when they first started they weren't really sure what game sense was about but now we're having day-to-day conversations with Some security officers because you know some from allowed to gamble and they talk to us about their gambling habits And some of them about their gambling problems, right? So the fact that they feel comfortable enough to have that conversation I think speaks volumes It's tremendous, you know where in the past it might have been taboo It's not something you want to openly admit and people feel a lot of Shame and embarrassment over now it's seen as the responsible thing to do Right, at least that's the culture we're trying to foster so you know, I'm I'm really I'm really happy to be part of the game sense team and uh For every little bit that I can contribute I'm really excited to see what this program is going to go in the future That's great I have just one one other anecdotal story that these guys have dozens, but um two weeks ago I got a call on the voluntary self exclusion line from uh Man at encore boston harvard um Originally went to voicemail. I called him back about an hour later Um, and I could hear the slot machines in the background He said, you know, I'm 75 and I'm Worried that I'm Going to lose lose all my money He was inquiring about what to do. I talked to him for a little bit I tried to describe where the game sense information center was I said you can talk to a staff You know, I I tried to encourage him to to make his way over there Um, I hung up. I wasn't convinced that he was going to try to he was going to figure that out. So I called Um called Julie Heinz who's the director of of responsible gaming explained. I said, could you just pass along? Look out for this guy if he comes to the game sense information center Um He reached out to me and it would be great if you could get some help um You know, so I got I spoke to Julie last week And I found out that ray had actually gone out onto the gaming floor walked the floor and found this person And brought him back to the game sense information center that There was a lot of concern about this is a huge gaming floor Game sense is just kind of a drop in the bucket. How are we going to be effective at doing this? but the idea that we have you know, thank you so much ray for for Taking the steps to go out there and actually look around find this person and really make that difference It was it's just a great story of of the great work that they do to go that extra mile And was that in part because of the referral the general characteristics a 75 year old? Yeah, yeah, or something like that Yeah, yeah, I'm sure there's several out there, but you know, I think I mean I would venture to say ray kind of knows what to look for right He knows he knows not only age but signs of distress and um And and he went out and found it Really that that was it he He wasn't gambling when I uh when I saw him, you know, I walking around and He did say 75 years old and I mean we're not playing rich pock here so That we we do have a younger demographic There so it was kind of easy to walk around and and Pick him out of a crowd He was walking around he had old papers. He had everything in front of him about our program You know, uh, and it did make it very easy for me to find him but he's very happy to do it and he He actually found out about our program and everything from uh playing rich pock After talking to him he he frequent there often and he got to know tarrant So one of our game sense advisors there very well and he told me to tell tarrant's that he finally did it You know Great story Me you yeah, you go ahead. I okay I should have cameron first of all. I love the uniforms. You all look so professional and sharp. I really do they look right So I know you haven't always felt that way about the uniforms. Well, I know that I know that this is a different uniform And it really looks it looks terrific. It really does a couple things. I heard that I think are so impressive first is um 50 percent of the referrals are from Um on core boston harbour employees. That's amazing and that's to your point that it wasn't always that way Right, so I think that's terrific and we have leases sitting with the team So, I mean, I think it's a partnership, right? um, you wouldn't be as successful without um The licenses embracing the concept and You know working with us to make it successful So I I just love hearing those stories and um your your personalities are Uh engaging infectious. I can see why you're all so successful. I think we're so lucky to have all of you Marlene great job recruiting really impressive team um So I really appreciate you coming and spending the time with us just to explain and to Talk about the work you're doing and how important it is and it really is important. So And right, I'm sorry. That wasn't that easy to do go and the size of that casino to go find one gentleman. Wow, that was That means you you care really that's what it tells me and um, I'm sure you made a difference in In his life. So thank you Thank you. Thank you for um for those updates. We have had a number of as part of the procurement uh, you know in their response of as council Had, uh, you know very well articulated Principles that now the game sense advisors begin to articulate in real life anecdotes and experience, which is really Really good. That's that's the crux of what you're all trying to do there Um, you know, we have fancier words But the the you know, like step care approach trying to talk to different People and try to meet them where they are, but you clearly know how to Engage that way and and and do it effectively The talk down of responsible gaming Instead the focus on positive play is something that is beginning to really be implemented as I hear you talk about How you're engaging with people, which is critical It's really in my opinion one of the cornerstones of the success of this of this program And um, and I did want to mention something about the prior evaluation something that I think that we are gearing towards towards doing In the first evaluation that we did on this program, which I now looking back would appear to be a little earlier than Ideal, maybe we did a little too soon. There was a real, uh, um Principle at the time to try to you know, do it We're doing a pilot program and it's something new and let's try to evaluate it But as as we now look forward to the next evaluation um One of the things that came from that first evaluation was that intuitively the number of interactions Seemed to to to be a metric Which I believe still is a metric. It's not the only metric. Uh, I believe the quality of interactions Um and the timing like the ones you you say at critical times Um are really key You need many interactions. You need many. Hello's and good mornings and and so on to be able to reach Those critical times and that's something that I that I look forward how we Try to begin to measure and quantify those, uh, those critical both quality And and and the critical timing of of certain interactions And um, I I should also, uh, uh, mention Uh, something that I think, uh, you put really well ray, which is Uh, how we leverage those interactions when you talk about how you are Um Through the dealers that you also know that you also interact quite a bit with other employees At at, uh, in the hospitality piece parts of the casino Um Because you know them because they're former colleagues or because they have they're doing work that you've done before This notion of ultimate referrals is something that's a theme in the program that I think we really need to look forward to Internal referrals just like the one you described. Well, uh, mark, which is a very powerful anecdote by the way But between employees and games and advisors Uh, but then also to external resources, which is also a big part of what what I think the program is needs to accomplish How we make warm handoffs Um to existing resources outside of the of the of the casino There's critical resources there including the voluntary self-exclusion piece um But, uh, I think it's it's really the the the future of the program Uh, and it's something that I know you have put a lot of thought in I it comes, um Full circle, as I've heard you say in your response to the rfp That a big focus was going to to be your interactions with employees. That's what you really wanted to increase As a real measurable goal Um, I think it's something that's that's exciting About the program that that is a focus And it's very good to hear and uh, you know in in your own words What you're confronting on the front lines, uh, which are all those concepts that I that I speak about Hey, and we just did you want to I'm sorry. She wanted maybe she wanted to respond a little Yeah, I just want to say thank you for that. I um, I think one of the things that we failed to talk about was How important it has been for us to Really look at through our senior gsa's in the staff at um the physical environment and and what what are the Where are the best places for us to have interactions? Where are the best places for us to talk with employees? How do we set ourselves up? You know these folks were talking, uh, I think was just last week about oh, you know, maybe we should be Focused on making sure we always have it You know staff changeovers being in back of the house always having someone kind of Strategically stationed there. I think these are the things that we're trying to figure out is not just The number of interactions But where are the best interactions happening? And what are the conversation pieces that are happening there and what do we need to equip ourselves with Is it best for us to be standing in that strategic place with an ipad with a brochure with swag? What is going to make for and I think those are the things we're really honing in on right now And so it's that's to me is that game since 2.0 next level and I will say that it's It's been invaluable to have The senior gsa is working together Julie Hines our director of responsible families did a nice job of really building that senior team up So that they are really exchanging ideas and thoughts across those properties. So while there's a lot of consistency We also are making sure we're Capturing what's unique about each property and each game sense information center and really going with what works In those places and you're going to hear a little bit more about that when we talk about Responsibly gambling education week Which happened in early august, but I think that That You know the when the RFR was put out that you know that there was a question about whether it made sense to have One program run one Center versus another program running another center We have found that it's been invaluable for us to have that consistency In branding and programming, but to Also think about how do we do something very specific for the for the patrons for the staff for where we are We're located in three really different spots in the three casinos, right? We have signage in really different ways in the three casinos our staff are really good at trying to Maneuver around those different environments and figuring out how how to make that work best And I should mention something else that the review committee talked about when we talked about Number of interactions versus equality There's clear. There's a clear recognition that we do not want to simply drive interactions Because that's one measure Um, you need to be able to ascertain who is ready to have any kind of interaction You don't want to turn people off. Otherwise At least it could directly back backfire And if if you perceive to be pushy just to get interactions Um, and that's the whole side of you know, um Looking at the quality But also, you know the benefit of having All of you guys mostly come from the hospitality and gaming industry where you both know You know the players the psyche the designs and and and so Thank you Yeah, I would just I want to go back to a point mark made When you think about what the statute originally said I think a lot of us said I had personally two kind of perceptions in mind that An operation like intended by the legislature was going to be back of house It was going to be some place you went and picked up a phone And maybe somebody came came out and met you and we weren't even sure how it would work to have something actually on the gaming floor um But as you guys you know mark marlene and terry says you rolled this out in our in our team at game sense The fact that you took something that could be public facing Right next to the gaming floor And to an extension of that. It's not only outward facing facility. It's the outward facing people I mean the fact that you're You know, it's not just stand behind the counter and hope somebody comes to you. It's going out It's finding the the gentleman on the floor who might be in distress. It's kind of Developing these relationships that you see with frequent customers. I mean that's that's really what has made That's really what has made the program start or work and be successful And the fact that you're not also willing to go off site and do some things and You know marlene you and I have talked about this as you're rolling out some new engagement strategies What's the additional awareness you can bring to game sense in our hosting surrounding communities? So into our licensees, you know, we couldn't have done this without their cooperation and help as well So congrats to all of you because you're the you're the face of game sense and you're making it a success Yeah, if I could just clarify my initial statement about the the statute It it kind of scared me when I first read it. I didn't know how to kind of conceptualize it in my head and And I think in the end it's it was it was broad and that really worked to our advantage and I have to believe that it was probably Made broad like that so that we could kind of grow into it the way that that we have so Yeah, it's uh It was good a groundbreaking To require on site services Yeah, I have do you have a question? I have a first up a comment Tremendous to have you Josh and David here Ray we we're we're more familiar with you and but of course happy to have you here as well But how how lucky we are to have the two of you here providing Really good information for us and then Doing the service and work that you do and it it is an important profession that you're engaging in so thank you Um, I have a couple questions. I know that your team Overall our multi language skills And do either of you speak another language? maybe So, uh, it's a bit embarrassing to say right now. I can only speak English fluently, but I I grew up speaking Mandarin Chinese and uh, I also grew up outside of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I used to speak Dutch as well It's my goal in 2020 to polish up on my Mandarin at least And make that skill going forward And and you Josh Your English is excellent. Yes. I'm quite good at English, but That's my specialty It's it's I mean, let's all say that it's excellent I do not speak any other languages at the moment, but I'd love to learn another so I just wondered if you encountered that as a That there's sufficient resources for you in terms of encountering Uh, people on the casino floor Let me take Well, when do you if you encounter language? Um barriers, how do you address them? Well, we do we're on our staff. We have a lot of different languages spoken. Um, I just had a Vsc that was done for a um, Chinese speaking person and speaks Cantonese And I have uh, chris wong on my staff who is fluent in Cantonese and uh, he happens to be who's on vacation At the time and I had to make a phone call to him to help me communicate You know, um, and it worked out very well Um, we also have the resources with the casino Where this gentleman before we figured out what was going on what they were looking for We actually had to go through a casino host So I we know how to find somebody that speaks the language So we were in the Asian marketing and they helped us out Um, I also have a agado who um speaks fluent Spanish So I mean we do get a lot of several languages on my team And we're able to communicate a agado helped me immensely with a Spanish speaking person that his mom Was forcing him to try to exclude and we're trying to tell her that I mean we don't do third party You can't make him do it and stuff and agado was able to help me Communicate with them. We were on a three-party conference call to do that You know and it worked great Um, but like yes, like I said in the casino industry, there are a number of languages spoken there. It's very diverse and The staff themselves actually can help us So I mean we've got great relationships with the managers and we can call them and see if Somebody can help us in a language that we don't Speak amongst my team So what I'm hearing is it's not you haven't encountered Barriers yet, which is not not yeah, not that we've seen we haven't seen a barrier. You know, it's like We've been able to overcome And good luck on that 2020 goal Thank you, we appreciate you So, uh, we're gonna swap rows right now. Um, and but as Especially lisa and daniel come up compliant the managers at plane rich park and mgm That that our relationship with our operators is is instrumental in the success of the program. Um, and We really couldn't do it without them Good afternoon commissioners. Good afternoon afternoon Tough app to follow. Um We are going to be focusing a bit on our experience this year with responsible gaming education week But first I will introduce My team today. So to my right is charlie or dilly who is the senior gsa at plane rich park casino Daniel miller compliance mgm lisa mckinney compliance plane rich park casino and of course David tank who you just heard Uh, so this will be This will be our fourth year of participating in responsible gaming education week, which is a national advocacy week Advocacy and awareness week. Um It was actually held this year for the first time In september it ran from september 16th through 20th Um in the themes which we um gave it this year was have a game plan and watch your time with game Sons both of which are meant to encourage personal control and limit player transition From low risk to higher levels of um gambling related harm, which you heard a bit about that scale today So that's a nice segway Um, i'm going to jump around my page a little bit and talk about some of the outward facing awareness that we did in communication So in addition to our own um game sense me social media Um campaign plan rich park casino use their facebook to post a daily responsible gaming education message on core boston harbour displayed um Messages on their table game monitors when those table games weren't in use So it was really cool to see that throughout the floor and mgm Actually asked game sense to host a back of house tabling event Which through our metrics we reported reached 235 casino staff. So we were really happy with that extra bumping collaboration Um, we also engaged and paid digital advertising that week which led to an increase of game sense ma website visits Interestingly about half of those visitors were um 60 plus so a vulnerable population. So we were really happy to see that level of engagement In addition to the regular messages that we were putting out We also launched we're calling them game sense advisor sports cards They're meant to look like baseball cards and um, it introduces the game sense advisor by name Where they work and a bit about them. Um, so more to come From those but that was the first week which we launched some and you can see some examples on your screen and on the paper um And I thought it was something cool to include even though it wasn't launched specifically for responsible gaming education week We still had um, taxi top ads throughout the boston area Um, promote a responsible gaming and they were still in market during the week And you can see this is actually my favorite one If I can read it gambling with a budget is like wearing a seat belt And then it draws a reader to game sense and then to visit game sense ma dot com Of course the most important part of this week was the engagement had with um casino Staff and also guests um metrics and data collection is really really important to us. Um, and so These numbers highlight this week, but it's just a drop in the hat of all of the engagements that our advisors have So that week alone through some incredible Educational activities the game sense advisors across all three properties reached over 6,000 patrons And that would be considered an intensive interaction. So it's a two-way interaction Which focuses on responsible or problem gambling. So it speaks a bit in reggae to Sorry, commissioner zuniga. Um to the quality quality interactions Um Here to highlight one of our newest, um educational activities is david And I will say that this activity was created by amy gabrella who is senior gsa at mgm who unfortunately couldn't be here today But david will do a fantastic job in her place showing it off for you. So i'll turn it over to him All right. Thank you very much. Teresa So it's to my understanding that uh, the commissioners that you each have a piece of paper showing What's displayed on that easel over there, which is a basic overview of the game, which is meant to be a slot simulator We have on Can should we move that or So that no, they have it. Well, they have it. They have it. Yes. Got it Thank you so on One of the panels we have slot machine simulators rules how to play the technology behind it You know, the basic premise of the game is to simulate a simple slot machine so that players can get a better understanding of Gesundheit of hit chance the probabilities and um, even a little bit about payback percentage, right so Quite simply put we have three 60 sided dice. All right, don't ask me where we got them. Amy found them All right So they're all different colors to make it easy to distinguish and for every number on the die It's associated with a symbol just like it would be on a slot machine Okay, so we'd have a patron roll a die and let's say the first die rolls It's a terrible roll Say the first one rolls and it comes out to be number 40, right? So we would turn to the second page. We would find The number 40 half the fun is trying to find where it is on the page We pump no, so it comes out as a wild Right. That's a while. Yeah. Yeah. Many slot machines have wild symbols Which can substitute for any other symbol if they get three wild symbols. They could pick any two prizes So in return for the participation this game in return for this little bit of education information We give them some free game sense swag, you know Uh, so patron doesn't gets to roll the next die and comes out as 28 And if you look at the dollar signs 28 is the symbol for tumbler right And then we'll roll another one And the last final die the final rule comes out as 48 And 48 unfortunately comes out as a bell. So that's not a winning combination In which case the patron has to roll again Uh, just to uh, just to make a long story short and to highlight how this translates into Uh educating guests With 360 sided dies There are over now there are 216,000 combinations exactly 216,000 All right with the wild symbols All right, uh, there are a little over 22,000 winning combinations And that those are realistic numbers for a slot machine All right, the only difference with the slot machines. They're working with a far larger pool But the hit probabilities hit chances this is almost the same Um, you know, most slot machines operate within the range of, you know 90 25 percent obviously does vary you know So we would have our patrons roll again and Let's just see how long it takes they roll again. They it's time to get a number four On the chart is a dollar sign. So that's a tumbler Next one 37 It comes out to be a wild All right, and the final one number five It's a cherry. So they might go like this back and forth a few times and we tell them, hey You know, can you imagine how much money you would have spent by now if this was an actual slot machine? You know, so after the third time if they don't get it Tell them. Hey, feel free to pick a prize. You know, thank you for your participation And if you ever have any other questions you want to learn more about slots Feel free to visit game sets So any questions? David are there um some slot machines with 60 potential just like the dice That you have 60 potential in in each of the three reels or are there more or more reels so My understanding is that every slot machine is a little different and that each reel operates on a random number generator The range for the random number generator Is set by the company that creates these games But my understanding is that range is far larger and that the total number of combinations Total possible combinations goes into the millions What's uh, what's your experience in um as you engage with slot players On a demonstration like this. Yes, what what are their comments in general? How do they react to you know Large numbers like you know, you have to multiply 60 times 59 58 or to get to whatever the number for mutations 16,000. Yeah. Yeah, uh, no, absolutely It's it's really interesting because you get to see people from various different backgrounds. Um, some people very small portion are You know, they understand the math and you know, they're really drawn to that a lot of people are Um, you know, I guess they're more intuitive players and they say, oh, you know This is just like playing the slot machine. Haven't hit haven't hit haven't hit right, but it's a different environment where they aren't risking any money I think that Most people when they come They approach our center and they approach a game like this They're coming usually with an open mindset You know, they have no idea what to expect You know, some of them come ready to pay money in order to play this game and we tell them We tell them hey, no, it's free, you know, it's just for education How did they um grasp the concept that every spin is independent of One another which is a common misconception on slot players that You know what that is probably one of the most pervasive myths surrounding, uh, the casino industry surrounded casino environment and A lot of people that we talk to, um, you know, whether we're doing this game or not Whenever we're talking about slots one of the things that we bring up and it a lot of times sparks that aha moment where people understand Oh, you know, it doesn't matter how long I've been playing It doesn't matter if I play on the same machine or a different machine You know, it doesn't matter how much money I've already put into it And you know, I think that's one of the best ways to spelling myths like that that we can encourage responsible and healthy play Thank you, david um one thing which I would just like to add which really strikes me as david was going through this activity Is the speed in which you can play an actual slot machine now It took us a really long time to go through just three roles. Um We had to do all the thinking and processing now. It's you know, but you can go really fast with it. So thank you Um, representing clean rich park casino. I'm going to pass it over to charlie Afternoon commissioners good afternoon charlie. Um charlie or dilliams see your game sense advisor clean rich park Um, we'll talk a little bit about rge w success it was at clean rich park Lisa allowed us to have an outstanding location when you get off the garage elevator right in front of security booth First thing you see was our game sense information table We had signage, you know, keep gaming fun Take a break with game sense We did our demos at the table. We also had the game sense brochures out for everybody the bse to play my way the Where to get support anything that the guests would need we had a raffle basket out there for the for the week Which we got seven hundred and seventy five raffle entries for that five days Again with uh playing rich park, uh, they gave us 500 co-co branded watches that we gave out to the first hundred guests that came to the Uh the demo table, um, which was Very popular. They were waiting for us to open. Where are they? Um, it was it was Advertised on the uh digital it was advertised in the monthly planner. Um, it was awesome that the cooperation that uh We got from the plain rich park was great. Um, we also had uh Play at small at plain rich park buttons that we gave to all the ppc team members my team and any guests that wanted them so, um, but we did uh We kept it fun. We didn't preach to uh, uh, the guests about problem-gaming responsible gambler But we did was we did fifteen hundred and sixty demos For that week for those five days and come out to about 780 guests that we interacted with Nietzsche's interactions were Probably three to five minutes um I'm very popular the uh 60 sided dice game was one of them the game sense. Plinko was uh We did some quizzes the high-low game, but those games what it was is um Uh, we discussed randomness the rng the You know house advantage different things We also had gave out four pounds of Miniature kick cat bars take a break with kick cats. We had our game sense stickers on them and we gave them out to The guests that were playing their slot machines gave them employees It was a fun. It was a fun time But we also had uh game sense advisors including myself that were out there for the people that were That seen the demonstrations that but really wanted more wanted to talk to us about you know their gambling You know responsible game problem gambler really just wanted to talk And we had quite a few of those interactions as well um I know plan rich park also had a uh Table set up in the edr for their their employees that They had quizzes and different things But we like I said the employees they were involved. They had the kick cats They had the buttons and you know guests would ask what's going on over there And they would bring them to us for the demonstration to have that conversation. So It was a very successful week It was very good It's great impressive. Thank you. Thank you Okay, and so from compliance at um mjm springfield and of course from plainish park casino. I'll pass it over to daniel Thank you, d'arisa Good afternoon commissioners lady chair so I considered myself a bit of a latecomer to the party that's uh Responsible gaming education week because I've only been in my current position two weeks when it was due to start um And so that we could kind of almost pass by the time it had come to me About all the stories of my counterparts at other mgm properties Um, because you may or may not know that we've actually partnered with game sense across all of our domestic mgm properties Um that they were hosting similar events So I immediately got on the phone to Amy Gabrilla You know the creator of this game That david has just demonstrated for us and said is there a chance that you and I and maybe a couple of your other games Since advisors could do something the following week and she said of course and I said right Well, we're rebranded. It's going to be responsible gaming education week 2.0 And so the following week we set aside two four hour Sessions on the friday and the saturday We did set up a table in our um edr session our employee dining room And I was there with them and we played this game And the the main thing that I drew away from it that amazed me more than anything was One the enthusiasm of the employees for that the game itself and understanding it and two was the learning that was going on Because we touched so many different employees from different parts of of the property Those that are slot texts those that are Gaming oriented kind of had an idea But those that are working as our housekeepers custodial facilities didn't They got to feel like they were part of that fund too And because they're still out there on the floor I think now they're better on to just you know see or notice someone And maybe help out too. So but um what what I will be doing With our onsite game since going forward is setting up more frequent participation in responsible gaming events back at house Good afternoon commissioners lady chair Good afternoon um We are for our responsible gaming education week at playing range park casino um, we focused I focused internally on our employees And so um, we sent out daily communications through email And I'll let you know we did separate topics each day based on responsible gaming the first day we did Advertise Penn national daily commitment to responsible gaming and responsible gaming programs and day two We um had the topic of three types of gamblers recreational problem and compulsive Day three topic was underage persons and unattended minors Day four topic was responsible alcohol service and day five was self-exclusion voluntary self-exclusion So we had um posters on a back of house communication board where everybody could see it We had a responsible gaming board um for the week So the posters advertised the topics for each day All the topics were pre-shifted on every shift each day and employees As I believe charlie mentioned we did daily quizzes based off of these topics each day we pulled um the Team members who answered correctly were entered into drawing then we um issued Three winners per day received twenty five dollar gift cards to dunk and donuts And then in addition to all the communication throughout the week we launched our required annual Responsible gaming training for our team members And for those who successfully successfully completed their training during the week Were entered into a drawing to win gift cards So um, we had a lot of participation from our um team members And the week went off pretty well actually and it was this was a good responsible gaming education week for us this year Great well Thank you Yeah, thank you all really impressive work And I do like the partnerships Really that just makes it so much stronger Yeah, it makes it easier for us when we can split and have game sense focus on our guests And then we can focus internally and then our marketing team also had social media every day So our employees could see it as well as our guests So it was very nice to have that The other thing that worries me though is that they've kind of set the bar that much higher So next year I've got to try and exceed that so Healthy competition. Yeah, that's and that's why uh commissioner camera likes it. She likes that competition. It feeds And I think that um there that she was a recipient of one of my handwritten notes. Am I right? Teresa. Yeah, she was so It's a why don't you explain what the the quarterly game sense it's Game sense excellence. Yes, sure. So um on a quarterly basis, we have the game sense advisors Choose three casino staff members who exemplify or incorporate responsible gaming into their daily role In those individuals are typically identified in some sort of internal communication They're also presented with a handwritten thank you note from the chair As well as a small gift card just to show our appreciation because they really do Impact the work that we do on the floor And and what I love about that program is that It's the game sense advisors who recognize how important the partnership is and they look for the Positive attributes that they need for their success through you. So congratulations again in first thing Thank you Thank you all. Thank you. Have a holiday Thank you We're very excited to have you as part of our right before the holiday Meeting. So it's such positive news. Thanks So we're on um item number nine um, but since the emba and we've got Mary here, um We've got Joe Delaney and Joe Griffin And maybe Mary will join No, Mary's upstairs. I don't think she's joining us today. Okay, great. Thank you I know Josh, thanks again. Nobody noticed you Off to repeated Thank you very much chair commissioners up for consideration today Our two amendments to community mitigation fund awards that were made earlier this year I'm first going to turn to Joe Delaney For a very brief description of one minor amendment to the revere Non-transportation planning award and then after the commission considers that award amendment We will then turn to director griffin for a description of the requested amendment to an award to the massachusetts casino career Team institute. I think I missed that one word, but uh training. Thank you. My writing is not very Legible The commission approved a very similar amendment earlier this year So hopefully some of the concepts of this amendment are familiar, but let me turn it over briefly to Joe Okay, thank you commissioners In 2019 the city of revere received a $50,000 grant from the community mitigation fund And its purpose was to develop a video that would Promote the city of revere as a tourist destination And that also included money for promoting that getting it in the local hotels and other things of that nature Um as it turns out The city spent they were supposed to spend about 40,000 on the video 10,000 on promotion They spent about 35,000 on developing the video Apparently they had a number of festivals and fairs and other things where they were able to just get Footage that they could use for that rather than having to hire someone to go out and get it And um, so what they're hoping to do is take that 5,000 they save there and put it towards the promotion budget Apparently there's about 900 Hotel rooms in the development pipeline in revere that they would like to coordinate with Some of those are coming online a little bit sooner than they expected So, uh, we reviewed the application and it certainly seems Reasonable for this transfer and we recommend that that be done Any questions? No questions Uh Madam chair, I'd move the commission approved the request to modify the 2019 city of revere non transportation planning grant reduce the production cost of 35,000 dollars with a commensurate increase in the marketing and distribution budget To 15,000 dollars was discussed today second Any for the discussion Those in favor Five zero Thank you. Thank you. So without further delay. Let me turn to director griffin for the second item Good afternoon again In the commission's 2019 grant to holy oak community college 50,000 of that grant was dedicated to scholarships for the gaming school Holy oak community college Has requested an amendment For some of those funds for the mass casino careers training institute Which will allow them to cover the cost of gaming instructors and recruitment Coordinators for two courses that they plan to offer in january Day and evening course In the case that those two courses are low enrolled It would allow them to offer the courses If they have less than 10 employees We have spoken with both the grantee and our licensee MGM supports this amendment As the running of these classes will help to enhance their pool of qualified And Anything else? Yeah, I think that's it Do we have any questions I think at some point I I would love to revisit just this program. I understand the request is before us, but It's just so vital to the underlying goals for the workforce development. So We can turn to that issue I can add that part of our discussion with the licensee involves A meeting regarding recruitment Um, and um, we're all interested in making sure that this is a successful program And we can certainly update you following our discussion and and those meetings. I'd appreciate that. Thank you Solution so madam chair, I move the commission authorized staff to approve the request to reallocate $15,000 from the massachusetts casino career training Institute scholarship budget To cover the cost of giving instructors and recruitment Coordinators for two courses in january of 2020 allowing for more flexible enrollment second Any discussion questions? Although some paper Opposed Five zero. Thank you. Thank you commission. Thank you I'd like to make a small point. Maybe I've made it before I I I really appreciate these these updates. They don't take too much of the agenda and and and it's really good to keep tabs of how Serious the program is taken by not just you, but especially the people that we grant These grants to too But I would like us to think about Perhaps a the minimum's threshold Under which some of these requests might not need to come to us Could could could be approved at the staff level. I don't know what that threshold might be But it just it just feels sorry. It just feels like under some amount Especially if it's moving money between one item and another that's already been considered should really be done Perhaps more efficiently and timely By the staff and then come back and report to the commission when necessary So commissioner, that's a great suggestion. One thing I'll bring to the commission is in the 2020 guidelines We included a threshold which provided staff approval for items. We worked that out between Various commissioners had different thresholds. We matched them all together But we didn't get we didn't seek that vote for this current year, but we could do that for the Oh, no, no, that's great. We so we can bring that for maybe approval of the next meeting To allow us to do that for the remainder of this program here It's if we're addressing through the guidelines. I think that's I was thinking more in the longer term We're already doing it through the guidelines. I'm satisfied Thank you Thank you All right commissioners my my next item is an appointment earlier this year the commission voted to approve director van der linden Can you join me? To the subcommittee of addiction services under the gaming policy advisory committee We've been very working very hard to activate this subcommittee As you're aware commissioner zuniga and mark van der linden have been Very involved in the subject matter of this subcommittee commissioners zuniga Given his role in his historic work on on the subject matter mark and I both recommend that the commissioner appoint That the commission appoint commissioner zuniga As this appointee replacing mark Both mark and I would continue to staff this subcommittee And mark is going to give you a little bit of detail about what we're trying to do to get the remaining members Of the subcommittee up and running so that we can begin the the hard work of this of this subcommittee Hello again um So, uh, we are as as um budgeman zuniga said we are working hard to activate the subcommittee It's our goal to to have our first meeting as soon as possible We have made some progress and in determining the the individuals that will Sit on this important committee The As it states in The section 68 of 23 k The committee shall be five members one of whom shall be From the department of public health's bureau of substance abuse services for that role They have a appointed Deirdre calvert and just real quick a couple of notes about deirdre She's a licensed clinical social worker with an msw from boston university She has more than 25 years experience and substance addiction treatment and co-occurring illnesses. She's currently the Director of the bureau of substance abuse services. So she's she's quite call up qualified Another individual As stated in section 68 shall be from a representative from the mass council and compulsive gambling For that role marlene warner Is going to fill Marlene has been with the council since 2001 And as a executive director since 2011 Um She's during this entire tenure advocated for policies and provisions to keep gambling safe healthy and to provide services For those negatively impacted By gambling disorder She does she she builds connections to treatment facilities recovery Directed policies and uses evidence-based research to lobby for increased supports and funding For responsible and problem gambling research and programs Um There are two members who would be identified by the governor's office. Um, we are working with the governor's office to to Identify those those individuals As that is also a process and we're actively and willingly engaged in that Um, so as as uh hon buds manzimba said, um, I respectfully request that that we Change the commission appointment from myself to commissioner And perhaps I should mention, uh, you know, something you mentioned quickly, uh, john and that is, um There's a staffing that is required or needed as part of these These kinds of committees And and in that capacity mark and can be Perhaps a little bit more Focused on on on on that piece And this committee will report to gpac, correct john? That's a structure under the statute. Yes. It's one of the subcommittees the gpac It just has never been activated and at this point in time. It's really important for it to be activated in order to get more and more expertise to the To the stakeholders, so I think that this I would recommend this change. I think it's important for our overall makeup of this of this, um, committee this We were lucky that we had We have two very, um Good choices and I think this probably optimizes Those the expertise that we can deliver through your staffing in in your membership. Thank you. So do I have a motion? I'm On Thank you, madam chair I moved the commission appoint commissioner on ricka zuniga to the subcommittee on addiction services Of the gaming policy advisory committee gpac transferring the appointment formally given to from mark bender mark So First it's yours all those in favor. Hi Hi We didn't ask I love staying and thank you for your vote of confidence It's a 20 year appointment for one. Thank you Thank you and thank you. Um, on ricka commissioner zuniga for agreeing to do that Thank you. Now we are moving on um To item 11, I want to point out that we do have a matter under item 13 That we don't want to address today as well. So Commissioner items, I guess we'll turn to the annual report commissioners zuniga Thank you. Um, madam chair, um the This is a brief update. Um only to report that the latest draft of the Annual report was included in the packet The Meeting before the two weeks ago It is drafted for review and final input from from the members of the commission It's already gone into editing mode with the the careful leadership of Our communications director elaine and our vendor jack rabbit to try to put together the The graphics that are fresher and et cetera We did not include it in the packet again But i'm happy to answer any questions if there is any or just report that We're working towards finalizing it So that we can distribute it early so Once again, I just I really want to thank uh commissioners zuniga for taking the lead on this It's not an easy thing to do every year It takes a lot of work It takes a lot of prodding to get all the information you need to complete the report. It's always Very professionally done. It's it's a really An excellent work product. So I want to thank you for that Thank you. It's a little later than we wished for but we are complying with Getting it done and and and that's the main reason of Um Thank you for that commissioner cameron. You want to update us on your matter? Yeah, no, I um, I mentioned at a meeting. I think there's a couple of meetings ago that I really wanted to um Take a look at the geu over time and just if there was a way I could be helpful Because I've had experience with these matters and um, Just to have a full understanding of the issues So if I can report to my fellow commissioners that I did meet with i eb leadership in order to Have a better understanding and what I um What I learned was there really are four different pots for overtime um, and the first one are details, uh for memoir And these are um paid for directly by the um By the club and they are put out as all state police Overtime details are um, and they are not they are filled by the appropriate policies and procedures Followed by the state police and again, there is no impact to the gaming enforcement unit's budget on that matter Secondly, there are special events And for an example would be uh murphy's boxing and This is very similar. It is filled by um non gaming enforcement members From everett pd as well as uh msp And it's paid for separately by on core boston harbour and again, there is new impact on the geu budget The third pot or bucket is the um overtime for uniform security there are certain times that ebh Has requested uniform coverage some of their busier times they have They have requested that coverage This is filled by our geu members. They have the experience. They know the operation. They're the best ones to work for this this detail And that is paid for directly by on core boston harbour and again, no There is no impact to the gaming enforcement unit budget and the fourth category is mgc authorized overtime and that is for all three casinos And what we're talking about there are Minimum staffing levels investigations arrest court time But the majority is really shift staffing levels And I needed to wanted to understand better what they How they were making those decisions. I actually was very satisfied to learn that um They really are looking at data and um risk analysis To judge that staffing and it continues right as we As we learn what um at each three casino what the issues have been and where the risk is they are staffing accordingly Um, and they're and and it's it's managed and tracked appropriately um Actually, it's been a long time since I've uh spoken to uh public safety personnel that take this matter very seriously and are really managing tracking and And making sure those those costs are appropriate. So for my review, I I believe that We are managing this issue and It's it's appropriately staffed Thank you for uh getting back to us on that It was important work to to go over and we appreciate your input to Derek on that Any questions for commissioner Cameron? Thank you. No, that's a very good summary. I um Just just a question the first it appears the first three instances the special events memoir and special requests It um Does that actually is that actually uh current members of the unit that have an opportunity for overtime or is it other members outside of the unit That come in Uh on an ad hoc basis. There's the the appropriate procedures in place with both Everett PD and msp for uh overtime details. They're put out and everyone has a chance to bid Um, so those uh procedures are being utilized and and typically these positions are filled by outside members of Those two those agencies Any further questions for commissioner Cameron The only question I had is I participated in at least one of the conversations on this There were some questions in terms of the numbers that we had gotten from Derek In terms of whether this was accurately reflected or not. I just wanted to make sure everything is We did update that did we update it? Okay. Yeah, so in the so in the last meeting Out of the four items that commissioner Cameron talked about the numbers that I gave to you Items one and two are not included in that items three and four are But we made a decision at that meeting that we would bill directly for item number three We just sent out the bill earlier this week for 108 thousand Two on co-boston harbour to reimburse Us for that amount But item four continues to be the largest of the of the Things that we have control over correct which as as commissioner Cameron has Detailed she's done a very thorough dive into it has worked very hard with the Gaming enforcement unit to figure out what we can do to kind of manage that going forward but Through the conversations staffing numbers are appropriate So we are probably going to need some extra money in that throughout the year They're trying to contain it so it doesn't continue to grow at the rate it is but it's going to be hard to If you know we have four months through the year and about close to 50 percent spent It's hard going to be hard to come in on that first number I think the most The piece I wanted to mention with regard to that is This is over time, but there are Personnel who have left so those salaries are not Coming to us in other words when you're a full-time member of the unit That's that salary is paid for by the gaming commission So although the overtime may be may be higher the the salary there's some offset. Yes There are good word. There are offsets there and and that has to be tracked too though because lots of times the overtime will Be it's more effective to just put another full-time Person in rather than overtime. So we're really closely looking at that. Sometimes there's a delay in You know state police have All of the pds have staffing issues So we may not always be able to get an additional Person when we think it's appropriate. So thus some overtime But the main bottom line is that Commissioner Cameron was very pleased with detective lieutenant connor's analysis and and how he is Analyzing the staffing needs Correct. Yes, and and Stay tuned in terms of whether or not he continues with the overtime versus fulfilling the other At least maybe one if not the two Thank you I am very pleased that you're looking into that. I I I'm also Very encouraged that you mentioned that it's something that we should look at periodically or you know continuously Only because there is at least in other Historically in other agencies around the country Has been the you know the progress incentives for some overtime to become a baseline and grow from there and It requires I believe the you know the the good analysis and watchful eye On a periodic basis to think critically and make those those adjustments if necessary or continue You know because they're appropriate I agree Great. Thank you Okay, moving on to number 12 Derek and Todd and Commissioner brian, I asked for you to review a request that was made regarding commissioner Cameron's pay I will be recusing myself Madam chair, I will recuse and I'll actually step out of the room as well since this item does does Refer to something that commissioners will Will talk about that concerns me so recusal and I'll step out. Thank you And we'll invite you back for item 13. Okay. Thank you Commissioner brian. I'll have you lead Just wait to the door actually close Did you want your tea? Yeah No, this item is on the agenda um at the request of um, commissioner Cameron I think to some extent executive director bourgeois in terms of um, just finishing A vote essentially an extension of a vote that the three of us took at the time when Chair Crosby resigned back in september of 18 Where the commission was left needing um to determine who would be chair and who would serve in that function And there was unanimity amongst us at the time the commissioner Cameron be that person I can speak for myself. Um Not not for you. Obviously that at the time I um anticipated and hoped she would take The responsibility authority and any benefits that went with and it seems to me she did the former and not the latter Apparently and then there is one portion of the benefits that we need to address Um, the question was whether there was any legal impediment or process, etc That would be necessary and I will defer briefly to attorney grossman in terms of um an analogous case He's located that I think addresses what we're asking Thank you commissioner brian. Um It is my opinion that uh commissioner Cameron can be compensated for her service as interim chair as a matter of law And as a matter of equity, of course There is legal authority that supports the proposition that an interim appointment By an authorized individual or entity is legally valid Even if the process that was used to obtain that appointment Would not necessarily pass muster had the appointment been intended as a permanent one The authority for that proposition stems from a 1986 SJC case That is captioned aptly versus lock the citation is 396 mass 540 That was a case that involved the interim appointment of the chair and ceo of the mbta as it was constituted at the time By statute that appointment was made by the governor But had to be approved by an advisory board In the case, uh there The gentleman was appointed on an interim basis by the governor, but was never um Signed off by that advisory board as the statute required but the Case arose because that interim ceo went on to terminate the employment of two mbta Employees who then challenged his authority to take that particular action The SJC ultimately Heard the case and held that the ceo in that matter did in fact Have legal authority to act in that situation The court relied on the fact that the appointment was of an interim nature And that nobody was claiming otherwise And that importantly it was clear that the mbta in that situation could not function for any significant period of time On a day-to-day basis without the leadership of a person in that particular position Therefore the court held specifically that it's reasonable to conclude That the interim designation of such a person by the governor Carried out the intent of the legislature under their enabling laws Therefore the interim ceo in that particular case was deemed to have the legal authority to exercise the powers of the office That particular case parallels our particular our situation here where commissioner cameron was appointed by the commission To serve in an interim capacity as the chair The appointment was clearly on an interim basis. There was never any question about that though There certainly is a provision of chapter 23k That requires the chair to be designated by the governor on a full-time basis So certainly the commission as it knew at the time could not designate a full-time chair and it did not do The appointment was made however by the body the gaming commission that has a clear statutory oversight over the organization Chapter 23k is clear on that point that the commission shall all have all powers necessary or convenient to carry out And effectuate its purposes and that's what it did in this particular case It was determined ultimately that there was a need To ensure that someone sat in that chair position while a permanent chair was being appointed by the governor Therefore it's my opinion that the interim appointment of commissioner cameron in this case was lawful And that commissioner cameron had the authority to exercise The powers of that office It follows then in my opinion That she should be entitled to the statutory compensation that is assigned to the position So that's that's my position on this matter. I'm happy to take any questions you're discussing Thank you for for that analysis. Like like you well articulated initially commissioner o bryan. I I remember at that time and I I thought it was assumed that With with the additional responsibilities or the uniqueness of that role Came the the benefits and in this case compensation differential that the statute also highlights between the commissioners and the chair At the time we we did not make that explicit And perhaps that's the main reason we we now find ourselves You know discussing here, but it's it's good. It's good to that be Better late than than than never I also would point out that even though it's fundamentally, it's a little different In our practice We have done something similar on other administrative positions When we have had an interim executive director when we had had A cio that has left and somebody else taken his Responsibilities And And in the in the case of it should be done on on other Interim positions with additional responsibilities It's only fair in in my opinion as well that those Compensation differentials be Considered at least for that interim Period so Again, even though those other instances Technically fall under the executive director's discretion We have had it for the executive director role In which we we also agreed and and conducted that practice. So there is it only Stands the reason that we would be also consistent In that in this case Yeah, I think the the team for the due diligence they did again. I joined my colleagues and in Reflecting on the fact that The appointment was interim but inherent in that was I think how we mirrored our overall HR policy when somebody has been named an interim position It was certainly a unique situation we found ourselves in and I think it required us to make you take maybe take some steps that we hadn't anticipated but Hopefully we don't find ourselves in that position again But I do join with my colleagues Kind of supporting the overall notion that I think we all had At the time of the interim appointment Just I just want to add a few things. We did this also with the racing director general counsel and senior revenue accountant as well in addition to the other positions and rike said and I do apologize for the uncomfortableness of this Discussion because it was my mistake not to actually increase her pay at that time period So if I had just done that at the time, uh, it wasn't until about a month after That we realized it hadn't happened and at that point we just said why don't we wait until a new chair? And then we'll do a lump sum so I do apologize for not Instructing truth to do this and we actually have to have this conversation It's informative Attorney Grossman and I talked about the case I reviewed the case and um On a fundamental level in terms of what the expectation was when I voted in addition to the review of the case I would agree that it fits not only within You know The law but also the intent That she have all the benefits and responsibilities Sounds like a consensus. Do we need a vote? I'd move that the commission approved retroactive pay in the amount of 15,531 dollars and 15 cents for commissioner gale cameron as compensation for her Performance as interim chair for pay periods from september 30th 2018 through january 19th of 2019 second All in favor Aye Aye Serena Yes, and one Motion carries three zero Thanks, sir. Thanks. I'm moving on to item number 13 Commissioner cameron has rejoined us and um, mr. Grossman has brought To my attention An issue that relates to regulations that we recently approved and I'll have Todd go through the regulations But apparently there was just an inadvertent oversight around the posting um on the Massachusetts register that's required I can assure you that on our end all of our work was complete and these things just simply happen It's a lot a lot of postings that have to take place, but our work was complete Um, that means that the regulations which we approved are not legally valid Todd has recommended and I'm um prepared to support this barring some Um argument that I haven't thought about That we adopt by emergency the changes that we've already approved And then it will allow them to go into effect immediately and then It does mean we'll have to move through the promulgation process Um once again Which will include a public hearing Bruce you did the um public hearing last time. There are no comments that were Received at the first round. We're going to do it. We would do an extra special around but the Timing of the effectiveness would basically have been the same Um, do you want to go through which regulations they are? Absolutely. Thank you and um, thank you madam chair I should just clarify this is under number 13. We I couldn't have reasonably anticipated this this matter came to light You as a team worked on a solution and came to me late yesterday That's right. And I would just reiterate what the chair already said you have already reviewed these regulations They went through a public hearing presided over by commissioner stevens You voted to adopt them in a public hearing Two or four weeks ago. I can't remember which They've been fully vetted. It was only after the fact that we learned there had been an administrative issue With them. So it was recommended actually by the secretary's office and I support that That we Adopt them by emergency now. They would have been in effect probably by now anyway So they'll go into effect And then we'll just go through the public process again, even though we've already gone through it the law requires the That the initial hearing notice be published in the massachusetts register Which it wasn't which somewhat taints the whole rest of the process So this is the cleanest way just to make sure there isn't any issue With these regulations, which again, we're non controversial We didn't receive any they're important But they we didn't receive any public comment or anything like that and just to recap to refresh your recollections as to what we're talking about the first was an amendment to 205 cmr 133.05 That pertain to the voluntary self exclusion list and maintenance and distribution of the list That a particular amendment would have permitted or would permit Licensees to provide an aggregated no marketing list to junket operators That will include individuals On the voluntary self exclusion list, but will not identify those people as being on the list So this was part of our suite of changes involving Junket operators and what have you we needed to match it up With our vse regulation So there was a tweak that we made in there to ensure essentially that those people aren't marketed to Once they are On the vse list the junket operators wouldn't send them marketing materials The second set of amendments were all to section 134 Those are of course the employee vendor and junket Regulations these amendments do a wide variety Of things i'll run through really quickly what they do just again to refresh attempt to refresh your recollections These Amongst other things define the process and standards that govern gaming employee licensing procedure updated elements of the appeal process Added a requirement for the fingerprinting procedure clarified the procedure for administrative closure of an application Required independently operating junket representatives to be licensed as key gaming employee standards And codified licensing or reporting requirement and restrictions for the junket operators themselves As in in addition to adding The waiting period to reapply for a gaming license in the event that an individual was denied At some point. So those are it's 130 305 130 304 060709 10 11 13 14 and 20 those are the section numbers that accompany the Provisions I just mentioned So as the chair mentioned there was a public hearing on november 21st That preceded your public meeting at which you voted to approve And again, they've gone through the entire process. They've Been published in the newspaper You had a public hearing you voted on these in public But now we're just recommending they'd be adopted by emergency and then we'll bring them back through the process I thought If memory serves me well, these these are the only Set of recent regulations that we have That have gone through the whole promulgation process. Is that correct? I think this is the most recent the most recent Yes, sir, right. Yeah so the immediate fix would be to allow Mr. Grossman to proceed with the emergency regulation process That's right. So basically with your approval We would file these emerge regulations by emergency. So once you vote on them, they would become effective We filed them with the secretary's office Today tomorrow or monday And then we would begin by filing a notice of a public hearing and at some point in the future probably two months out And have another public hearing in that home And that's a similar process whenever we adopt anything by the same exact That's right. It's the only difference here. What's what's remind me of the time frame for a Emergency it's only it's got a shelf life of only 90 days. You have to go through the whole process within 90 days Which we can easily do Do I have a motion? All right, well, I'm sorry. Did you have another question? No, it sounds appropriate It just was that it's a housekeeping error, you know, it's really an administrative matter. Yeah Yeah, and these things happen and that we've got a remedy Here in this case without compromising really process just redundancy, right? That's right Did anybody catch all the name all the numbers? Yeah, well here if you want to refer to them all they're right here You could Madam chair I moved the commission Adopt following regulations on an emergency basis 205 cmr 133.05 134.01 0.06 0.07 0.09 0.10 0.11 0.13 0.14 and 0.20 So With official Regulation promulgation process to be commenced second Any further questions? Thank you. Time for bringing that to my attention Those in favor. Aye. Aye. Aye. Opposed? 5-0. Thank you. Thank you Well Marianne we did so well Conclusion of the meeting was timed out first time for Marianne 355 and We are concluding at 348 so Thank you. You've learned from the best Do I have a motion I move to adjourn second all those in favor. Bye. Bye Opposed? 5-0. Happy holidays. Thank you