[NEWS RELEASE] Executive Director Henry Williams applauds Davis, Palms being reappointed to the Michigan Gaming Control Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: MGCB-Media@michigan.gov

Executive Director Henry Williams applauds Davis, Palms being reappointed to the Michigan Gaming Control Board

Pictured from left to right are MGCB Board Members Joni M. Thrower Davis, Linda Forte (Chair), and Andrew T. Palms at the MGCB Board Meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

DETROIT, Jan. 17, 2024 — Henry Williams, the executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), is pleased to share the news that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has reappointed Detroit resident Joni M. Thrower Davis and Chelsea resident Andrew T. Palms as MGCB Board members.

“I appreciate Governor Whitmer’s decision to reappoint Joni and Andrew to the Board, which is well-deserved recognition of their dedication, expertise, and valuable contributions to our agency’s mission and vision,” MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams said. “I am confident that the reappointment of these Board members will ensure continued stability, effective decision-making, and the ability to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Michigan’s gaming industry, and I look forward to continuing our work together for the citizens of this great state.”

Reappointed for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2027, Davis is the owner and operator of four McDonald’s restaurants in the metropolitan Detroit area and is also the managing partner for Jamjomar, Inc. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law. The reappointment is Davis’s second four-year term of serving on the MGCB, as she previously succeeded Patrick M. McQueen whose term expired Dec. 31, 2019.

Also reappointed, Palms is the executive director of ITS Infrastructure at the University of Michigan and has worked at the university for more than 30 years. An alumnus of the school, he has a bachelor's degree of general studies in computer science, business, and engineering. Palms was initially appointed to the MGCB by former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder on Feb. 3, 2012, and 2024 marks the beginning of his twelfth year of service as a Board member. Like Davis, his latest term will expire Dec. 31, 2027.

The MGCB is responsible for implementing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of the law related to the licensure, regulation, and operations of the three authorized Detroit casinos — MGM Grand Detroit, MotorCity Casino, and Hollywood Casino at Greektown. The agency also licenses and regulates fantasy contests, regulates pari-mutuel horse racing and casino-style charitable gaming (millionaire parties), and audits tribal gaming compact agreements for the state’s 12 federally recognized tribes.

The Board is comprised of five Michigan residents appointed by the Governor, with one member designated by the Governor as the chairperson. Under the Michigan Gaming Control & Revenue Act, no more than three members may belong to the same political party.

As of this month, there is one vacant seat on the five-member Board. Three members are required to be in attendance and present at meetings in order to form a quorum to conduct regular business. The 2024 meeting schedule can be found on the agency’s website at Michigan.gov/MGCB and the next meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at Cadillac Place in Detroit.

Davis and Palms both resumed serving as MGCB board members on Jan. 4, alongside current Board member Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds and Board chair Linda Forte, and their reappointments are subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.

Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If someone has a gambling problem, please call the state's 24-hour, toll-free helpline at 1-800-270-7117 or the MGCB's responsible gaming section at 1-888-223-3044. Visit the Responsible Gaming page of the MGCB website for information on self-exclusion programs including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database, and DontRegretTheBet.org for additional tools to game responsibly.

The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of the citizens of the state of Michigan. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.

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• 2024.01.17-PR-MGCB-Board-Member-Reappointments.pdf