Massachusetts Gaming Commission supports All-In Diversity Project

First US regulator joins All-In Diversity Project in support of inclusion in the gaming industry

The All-in Diversity Project, an industry-driven initiative that aims to benchmark diversity, equality and inclusion in the global gaming sector, is proud to welcome its first regulator, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC), as a participating partner.

Co-Founder of the All-In Diversity Project Kelly Kehn commented, “We launched the Project believing that collaboration amongst educators, regulators and operators was essential for change. I’m proud to say that we are taking another step forward with the MGC on board.”

The Massachusetts gaming law, recognised as one of the most innovative gaming laws in the United States, prioritises diversity and inclusion by requiring:

• Casinos to establish training programs that promote the development of a skilled and diverse workforce; and regularly provide to the Commission detailed, statistical reports on the diversity of their workforce and vendor contracting;
• Casino developers to set diversity hiring goals and submit strategic plans to develop a diverse workforce that provides employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed;
• Diversity contracting goals and submit strategic plans for utilizing minority-owned, women-owned, and veteran-owned businesses to participate as contractors in all stages of building their gaming establishments (design, construction, and operation).

MGC Director of Workforce, Supplier and Diversity Development Jill Griffin said, “The Commission is steadfast in its mission to ensure the gaming industry in Massachusetts is inclusive and provides opportunities that reflect the diversity of the Commonwealth.” Griffin added, “MGC is grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our global partners on this important initiative to identify and share the gaming industry’s most promising practices to ensure economic benefit for all.”

This was re-iterated by fellow Co-Founder Christina Thakor-Rankin who added: “Our own experiences coupled with numerous conversations with operators, regulators, responsible gaming groups and government bodies around the world, tell us that diversity, equality and inclusion are key to the long-term success of our industry. The challenge for almost everyone is not the ‘why’ we need to change, but the ‘how’ do we change - this is a fantastic example of a ‘how’.”