Press Release  Chair Cathy Judd-Stein to Retire from Massachusetts Gaming Commission

Boston — Today, Governor Maura Healey announced that Cathy Judd-Stein, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, conveyed her plans to retire from public service upon the completion of her term effective March 21, 2024. Judd-Stein was first appointed to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on January 15, 2019 by Governor Charlie Baker and reappointed on March 21st of that year for a full five-year term. The administration is beginning the search for her successor, and the application is available here through March 18, 2024. 

“Cathy Judd-Stein led the Massachusetts Gaming Commission through a critical time for the industry, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the launch of sports wagering. We are grateful for her many years of service to the people of Massachusetts and wish her the best in her retirement,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration looks forward to beginning the search for an experienced leader to take the reins of this important commission.” 

“Throughout her tenure as Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, Cathy Judd-Stein prioritized community engagement, consumer protection, and support for this burgeoning industry that contributes so much value to our economy,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “She has dedicated her career to public service and we congratulate her on her upcoming retirement.” 

“It has been an honor and a privilege to spend over 25 years working in public service for the Commonwealth,” said Cathy Judd-Stein. “During my tenure at the Gaming Commission, I have been grateful for the partnership with my fellow Commissioners and the outstanding accomplishments of our dedicated team. Together, we have led the Commission through complex issues during transformative times, prioritizing integrity and the health and well-being of gaming employees and patrons, working always to advance the best interests of the Commonwealth. I thank Governor Healey and Lt. Gov. Driscoll for their support and confidence in me and stand ready to support the Administration on a smooth transition for my successor.” 

In her over five years as Chair of the Commission, Judd-Stein played a critical role in the agency’s work to regulate the Massachusetts casino, horse racing, and sports wagering industries with a focus on safety and transparency, including throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She initiated public meetings and roundtables, promoted consumer protections and responsible gaming, and helped launch the legal sports wagering industry in Massachusetts in just six months. To date, legal and regulated sports wagering has generated over $108 million in revenue for the state and driven businesses away from the illicit black market. 

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission was created after “An Act Establishing Expanded Gaming in the Commonwealth” was signed into law on November 22, 2011. The Commission is a full-time, five-member independent body that is the single licensing and regulatory body of the casino, horse racing, and sports wagering industries in Massachusetts. The costs associated with operating the state’s gaming commission is paid for by the gaming industry and not by Massachusetts tax dollars. 

The Commission consists of 5 commissioners, 1 appointed by the governor, 1 appointed by the attorney general (who must have experience in criminal investigations and law enforcement), 1 appointed by the State Treasurer (who must be proficient in corporate finance and securities), and 2 appointed by a majority vote of the same three constitutional officers.  The Governor designates the Chair of the Commission. 
 

About Cathy M. Judd-Stein  

Cathy Judd-Stein has served as the Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission since January 2019. Prior to this appointment, Judd-Stein served the Commonwealth as part of five successive gubernatorial administrations, most recently as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for the Office of the Governor. In that role, she advised Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito on a broad array of legal issues, including public ethics, governance, compliance, human resources, education, and legislative matters. Judd-Stein also served as Deputy Legal Counsel and ethics advisor to Governors Paul Cellucci, Jane Swift, Mitt Romney, and Deval Patrick (through his transition), and then served as Governor Patrick's Executive Director of the Judicial Nominating Commission.  

From 2011-2013, she worked at the Massachusetts State Lottery as Assistant Executive Director, Director of Policy and Special Counsel, advancing governmental reforms, operational efficiencies, and lottery innovations, including co-administrating a task force on online gaming convened by then State Treasurer and Receiver Steve Grossman, who later named Judd-Stein General Counsel of the State Treasury. She served in that capacity until her appointment by Governor Baker in 2015. 

Judd-Stein was an instructor of “Ethics and Public Policy” for UMass Boston’s John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy and Global Studies from 2007-2015. 

A graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Ms. Judd-Stein is President of the Board of Trustees of St. Johnsbury Academy in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. She also is a member of the Women’s Health Advisory Board for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. In 2020, she completed her six-year term as a member of the national Board of Directors for GLAAD – the media amplifier and advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Judd-Stein is a former President of the Class Officers Association at Dartmouth College. She was recently profiled in the CEO Special of Gambling Insider Magazine. 

Judd-Stein lives in Winchester, Massachusetts and she and her husband are the parents of three adult children and the grandparents of two toddler grandsons.

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