The top gambling regulator in Washington state has been named executive director of the agency overseeing the new casino law in Massachusetts.

Rick Day was appointed to the post on Thursday after a public interview by the five-member Massachusetts Gaming Commission. He was the only finalist for the job.

Day has been the executive director of the Washington Gambling Commission since 2001. The former police officer also headed the Corrections Department in Montana for five years.

In Massachusetts, Day will serve as the administrative head of the commission that will be responsible for granting casino licenses and regulating expanded gambling. The law allows for up to three resort casinos and one slots parlor in the state.