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Gaming commission approves staff COLA, adopts regulations and community grant reallocations
Summary
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted Nov. 6 to adopt a Commonwealth HR‑recommended cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff (3% retroactive to July 2025), finalized two regulatory amendments, approved three community mitigation fund reallocations and several operational items including a conflict‑waiver for contractor RSM and updated PPC house rules.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission on Nov. 6 approved several formal actions and votes, including a cost‑of‑living adjustment for staff, regulatory filings, community grant reallocations and operational confirmations.
Compensation action: Commissioners voted to adopt a Commonwealth Human Resources recommended cost‑of‑living adjustment (COLA) for non‑union staff: a 3% adjustment retroactive to July 2025. The commission authorized the executive director to implement the adjustment and its payroll mechanics. Commissioners debated multiple options (phased two‑and‑two, targeted lower‑pay increases and pure percentage approaches) and discussed fiscal parity with the executive branch; after deliberation the panel voted to adopt the 3% COLA.
Regulatory and operational votes: The commission finalized two rule changes and authorized filing with the Secretary of the Commonwealth: amendments to 205 CMR 146.13 (clarifications consistent with the authorized blackjack rules) and 205 CMR 238.48 (allowing wire payments for expired tickets/wagers). Both regulatory finalizations were approved on the record and will be filed for promulgation (effective dates consistent with the secretary’s filing calendar).
Community funding and operational approvals: The commission approved reallocations of unspent Community Mitigation Fund (CMF) grant funds — Attleboro ($66,388) for a tree‑planting program, Longmeadow ($21,385) for advanced law‑enforcement rapid‑response training, and Wilbraham ($16,693.70) shifted toward license‑plate readers — and adopted the FY2027 CMF guidelines after a public comment period that produced no submissions.
Other actions: The commission approved a conflict‑of‑interest waiver enabling contractor RSM to provide advisory internal‑audit improvement services to a licensee (subject to memorialized conditions), and approved Plainridge Park Casino’s updated sports‑wagering house rules clarifying settlement rules for parlays, postponed events and sport‑specific markets.
Votes at a glance (selected): - Minutes approval (multiple past meetings): adopted as presented (recorded roll calls). (SEG 041–100) - CMF reallocations (Attleboro, Longmeadow, Wilbraham): approved. (SEG 3056–3266) - FY27 CMF guidelines: adopted. (SEG 3212–3266) - 205 CMR 146.13 and 205 CMR 238.48: final drafts approved for filing. (SEG 3330–3442) - RSM conflict waiver: approved (5–0). (SEG 3503–3640) - PPC house rules: approved. (SEG 3656–3795) - Staff COLA: adopted (3% retroactive to July 2025); executive director authorized to implement. (SEG 3960–4369)
Why it matters: The COLA addresses staff purchasing power amid ongoing inflationary pressures; CMF reallocations and guidelines direct funding for local mitigation projects near gaming facilities; regulatory filings clarify operator obligations and settlement practices. The RSM waiver preserves access to industry expertise while the commission imposed procedural controls.
Next steps: Staff to file the adopted regulations with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and implement the approved payroll adjustments; DraftKings, PPC and other operators to provide any requested follow‑up documentation to the IEB or commission staff.
