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Massachusetts Gaming Commission hears suitability case for Justin Carter; investigators recommend approval
Summary
At a Nov. 10 adjudicatory hearing, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission heard evidence about Justin Carter’s fitness to serve as an individual qualifier for Plainridge Park Casino; the IEB reported no derogatory findings and recommended a positive determination. The commission will deliberate privately and issue a written decision.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission held an adjudicatory hearing on Nov. 10, 2025, to consider whether Justin Carter meets statutory suitability standards to serve as an individual qualifier for Penn Entertainment’s Plainridge Park Casino. Chair Jordan Maynard presided, and the commission heard presentations from the IEB (Investigation and Enforcement Bureau) and counsel for the applicant.
The IEB, through counsel Nathaniel Kennedy, summarized its background investigation of Carter, saying investigators reviewed identity records, financial stability, litigation and criminal-history searches, political contributions in Massachusetts, and open-source and law-enforcement databases. Kennedy said the IEB found "no derogatory information" from other licensing jurisdictions and that Carter cooperated with the investigation, and he recommended "that the commission issue a positive determination of suitability for Mr. Carter." The IEB submitted its investigation report (dated Oct. 9, 2025) as an exhibit and the parties stipulated to its admission.
Counsel Christopher Soraniano, representing Penn Entertainment and Carter, told the commission he concurred with the IEB's conclusions and urged the panel to find Carter suitable. Soraniano described Carter as Penn's senior vice president of regional operations and said Carter supervises general managers across multiple states. Carter spoke briefly and thanked the commission and investigators, saying he "look[s] forward to continuing to make sure that Plainridge Park is something that the commission could be extremely proud of" and that the operation be "a beacon in the state of Massachusetts."
Commissioners asked non-substantive, biographical questions and made light-hearted remarks during the hearing; no new investigative findings or objections to the IEB record were raised on the record. Chair Maynard noted that portions of the proceeding could be closed under 205 CMR 101.01 to protect personal or commercially sensitive information, and either party could request a recess if commissioners explored matters outside the notice of hearing.
No formal vote or final ruling took place during the session. The commission said it would deliberate privately later that day under its adjudicatory rules and issue a written decision as promptly as possible.
The record for the hearing includes the notice of hearing (Oct. 10, 2025) and the IEB investigation report (Oct. 9, 2025). The commission cited the statutory and regulatory standards it considered, including G.L. c. 23K §§ 12 and 16 and 205 CMR 115.01(1).
