Jordan Maynard, Chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, has voiced urgent concerns about the fast-paced expansion of the U.S. gambling industry, emphasizing the need for nationwide regulation to safeguard consumers. In a recent interview with The Guardian, Maynard warned that the industry’s breakneck growth is outpacing current oversight mechanisms and exposing the public—particularly vulnerable populations—to growing risk.
Growth Outpacing Guardrails Since Sports Betting Legalization
Since the Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, 37 states have legalized sports wagering. However, Maynard argues that discussions around consumer protection, responsible marketing, and long-term health impacts haven’t kept up.
“What we’re going to do is make sure that those who seek to benefit economically from this industry are held to high standards,”
— Jordan Maynard, Chair, Massachusetts Gaming Commission
He criticized the fragmented nature of state-level regulation, pointing to issues like inconsistent exclusion lists and a flood of betting ads targeting younger audiences.
Youth Exposure and Black Market Access Remain Concerns
Maynard expressed concern over the growing normalization of sports betting among teens and college students, many of whom skirt regulations by accessing unlicensed offshore platforms. These sites often lure users with enticing bonuses and weak identity checks, exacerbating the potential for gambling harm.
Still, Maynard cautioned against letting licensed operators off the hook. He believes stronger oversight—especially at the federal level—is critical to ensuring the legal market doesn’t emulate the illegal one in pursuit of profit.
“I don’t want the legal market to race to be the illegal market. I want the illegal market to either not exist, or if it does exist, it’s in a highly competitive space with what’s regulated.”
Toward a Safer Gambling Ecosystem
Maynard advocates for the development of a nationwide exclusion registry and a standardized national advertising code. While acknowledging the political and logistical challenges such measures would entail, he sees them as essential tools to rein in unchecked expansion.
He also noted the growing influence of AI in the sector—not just to identify “high-value” customers, but potentially to detect problematic gambling patterns. While some operators have made strides in responsible gambling outreach, Maynard urged caution and accountability when deploying new tech in player engagement.
Despite the magnitude of the challenge, Maynard is resolute: regulators must remain the first line of defense in keeping gambling a safe recreational activity, not a pipeline to addiction or financial harm.
