Denise J. Smyler was introduced by Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday as the new chairwoman of the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board. She replaces David M. Barasch, who announced his retirement Thursday after nearly six years at the agency.
Smyler was appointed to the PGCB in 2019 after serving as General Counsel of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. During her tenure as general counsel, Smyler oversaw legal services for Gov. Wolf, his senior staff and more than 30 Pennsylvania branches and independent agencies.
During Barasch’s tenure, internet gaming, sports wagering and truck stop video gaming terminals were legalized in Pennsylvania. Since the launch of the new forms of legalized gaming, in 2018, revenue from all gaming sources increased from $3.2 billion annually to an expected $4 billion in 2021.
“The Gaming Control board and the public benefitted from David Barasch’s deep experience and steady hand during the past six years,” said PGCB Executive Director Kevin O’Toole in a statement. “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.”
Also on Thursday, Nedia Ralston was appointed to the PGCB. Ralston most recently served as the director of the Southeast Regional Office to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
“Nedia has been a great asset to the commonwealth over the years and I am confident she will continue to be so in her new position,” Wolf said in a statement.
Ralston previously worked as deputy finance director for Wolf’s gubernatorial campaign. She is a board member for the Southeastern Regional Big Brother Big Sisters of America, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Community College of Philadelphia.
Both of the appointments are effective immediately and do not require approval from the Pennsylvania legislature.
