David Barasch, chairman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), has announced his retirement from public service after serving the board for six years, during which he oversaw the launch of igaming.
Before starting his term as chairman in 2015, Barasch had held several prominent roles within the state government, such as consumer advocate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, special assistant to Governor Bob Casey, U.S. Attorney for the middle district of Pennsylvania, and deputy secretary of the Pennsylvania department of revenue.
He also oversaw the legalization of online gaming within the state, as it grew into an industry worth an estimated $4bn as of 2021.
PGCB executive director Kevin O’Toole said: “The Gaming Control board and the public benefitted from David Barasch’s deep experience and steady hand during the past six years.
“At no time in the history of this agency were those qualities more important in a Board Chair than during the past year of unexpected and unprecedented disruptions to the gaming industry due to Covid-19.
“During that period under Chairman Barasch’s watch, the agency not only carried out its casino oversight responsibilities but continued its important work of assuring the new forms of gambling were successfully rolled out.”
The PGCB also saw two other recent veterans leave recently, as Susan Hensel and Joseph Grad formed Hensel Grad PC – a law firm set up specifically to serve the gaming industry.