Press Release: 11/12/2026

Chair Jordan Maynard to testify before Congress on efforts to protect youth from sports gambling-related harms

Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) Chair Jordan Maynard will testify before the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, about the Commission’s efforts to protect young people from the risks of sports wagering.

Chair Maynard will appear at a hearing titled “The Rise of Sports Gambling on College Campuses.” The subcommittee is chaired by Rep. Burgess Ownes (R-UT).

“I’m honored to represent the Massachusetts Gaming Commission before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development,” Maynard said. “The Commission is making sports wagering safer through the standards we have established and is proof that state-based regulation can mitigate negative impacts for young people. I look forward to discussing how we can work together on these critical issues.”

During the testimony, Chair Maynard will discuss how Massachusetts law and the Commission’s regulatory framework protect the Commonwealth’s youth, including the 21+ age restriction, advertisement rules, restrictions pertaining to wagers on college sports, and the Bet on Respect initiative. Chair Maynard will also explain his concerns about emerging industries and offer examples to serve as a resource for the Subcommittee.

Chair Maynard’s submitted testimony will also detail the Commission’s commitment to research, responsible gaming, and innovative program development. This includes highlighting the Commission’s PlayWell program, partnerships with the Office of the Attorney General, the promotion of BetBlocker, and how the Commission’s research agenda informs policymaking and drives practices implemented in Massachusetts.

Other witnesses expected to testify before the subcommittee include Dr. Lindsey Mortenson of the University of Michigan, Dr. Daniel Durkin of the University of Mississippi, and Cindy Clouner of The Ohio State University.

The hearing will begin at 10:15 a.m. ET on Wednesday, November 11, in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. It will be live streamed on the Committee’s website and the Committee’s YouTube page. Chair Maynard’s written testimony will be posted on the Commission’s site following the hearing.