Henry Williams began Monday his new role as executive director of the Michigan Gaming Control Board after being named by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last month to succeed Richard Kalm.

Williams was confirmed for a six-year term by the Michigan Senate on Thursday with a 34-1 roll call vote. Republican Sen. Tom Barrett was the only member to vote against.

“I look forward to leading the agency’s continuing success and thank outgoing Executive Director Richard S. Kalm for his leadership and the opportunities he provided that paved the way for my appointment,” Williams said in a news release.

Barrett said in an email to Crain’s that his vote was in protest over charitable gambling operators being “unfairly targeted by the gaming control board” with “overly burdensome” rules over the years.

“It is my hope that Director Williams improves this aspect of the organization that he now leads,” Barrett said.

Williams worked for 20 years at the gaming regulatory agency, most recently as executive director. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Marygrove College and began his career in state government in 1997. He is also a licensed social worker.

Williams takes oversight of a booming online gaming industry in Michigan and a sports betting market that recently exceeded $1 billion in betting handles. Internet betting went live in Michigan at the beginning of the year.

Kalm led Detroit’s casinos through perhaps the most disruptive time of their existence as COVID-19 pandemic orders led to closures and massive revenue declines.