Jim Townsend appointed as new chair of Michigan Gaming Control Board

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has selected Jim Townsend to serve as the next Chair of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB). His appointment takes effect on August 1, replacing outgoing Chairman Jim Ananich, who will step down from the role at that time.

Townsend’s initial term runs from August 1, 2025, through December 31, 2028, and is contingent upon the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate. He will join existing board members Joni Thrower Davis, Mark Evenson, Deidre Lambert-Bounds, and Andrew Palms.

“Jim Townsend is a proven leader whose legal, legislative and economic development experience make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Board,” said MGCB Executive Director Henry Williams. The agency highlighted Townsend’s background in law, public policy, and economic growth as key assets for overseeing Michigan’s regulated gaming landscape.

Townsend currently directs the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University. His prior roles include serving as Legislative Director for the U.S. House of Representatives, Brand Manager at Ford Motor Company, and state Representative for Michigan’s 26th District.

One of the pressing matters the new chair will help address is the regulation of prediction markets in the state. This follows the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s (CFTC) June 29 decision to block an emergency rule change proposed by Kalshi—the agency exercised its authority to stay the operator’s attempt to cancel trades in Michigan, despite a state court order requiring Kalshi to cease such activity. The underlying dispute stems from a temporary restraining order issued by the Ingham County Circuit Court at the request of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who filed an enforcement action against Kalshi on March 4.