July 23, 2026
DETROIT, July 23, 2026 — Michigan Gaming Control Board Executive Director Henry Williams today announced that Governor Gretchen Whitmer has appointed James H. (Jim) Townsend, of Royal Oak, to serve as the new Chair of the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), effective August 1, 2026.
Townsend succeeds Jim Ananich, who is resigning at the end of this month. He will serve a term representing Democrats on the Board commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring December 31, 2028. He will be designated as Chair for a term commencing August 1, 2026, and expiring at the pleasure of the Governor. His appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate.
“Jim Townsend is a proven leader whose legal, legislative, and economic development experience make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Board,” said Henry Williams, Executive Director of the MGCB. “I look forward to working alongside him as the Board carries out its critical mission on behalf of Michigan residents.”
Townsend is the director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University. He previously practiced law in the Detroit office of Butzel Long as a member of its Corporate and Real Estate Practice Group, and represented the 26th District in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017.
Townsend graduated with Highest Honors in History from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earned a Master of Business Administration and Master of Public Policy from the University of Michigan, and earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Wayne State University Law School.
Townsend will serve as Board Chair alongside current Board members Joni M. Thrower Davis, Mark Evenson, Deidre A. Lambert-Bounds, and Andrew T. Palms.
The next public meeting of the Michigan Gaming Control Board will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Cadillac Place in Detroit. More information about MGCB Board meetings is available at Michigan.gov/MGCB.
Gambling in any form is for entertainment purposes only. If you or someone you know may have a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER, chat online, or visit 800gambler.org. Help is available 24/7, free and confidential. Michigan residents can also visit the MGCB's Responsible Gaming page for information on self-exclusion programs, including the Disassociated Persons List and the Internet Gaming and Sports Betting Responsible Gaming Database. Through a partnership with Gamban, Michigan residents can claim a free license for Gamban's gambling blocking software — visit Michigan.gov/MGCB to learn more. Additional responsible gaming tools are available at DontRegretTheBet.org. The Michigan Gaming Control Board shall ensure the conduct of fair and honest gaming to protect the interests of Michigan citizens. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MGCB.
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