Simon Thomas, the newly appointed Group Chair of GAMSTOP, has pledged to keep self-exclusion at the very center of Great Britain’s national strategy for preventing gambling-related harm.
Thomas, who takes over from the outgoing chair Jenny Watson, brings a wealth of industry and third-sector experience to the role, having previously served as CEO of the Hippodrome Casino and as Chair of the Rank Foundation.
The announcement was made during GAMSTOP’s ‘Future of Self-Exclusion’ event, which brought together key stakeholders from across the industry, including speakers from the Gambling Commission, Citizens Advice, and the banking sector.
GAMSTOP is the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, providing a vital tool for consumers who wish to block themselves from all licensed online gambling sites.
In his new role, Thomas will oversee the continued development of this crucial service and work to strengthen its integration within the broader support network for vulnerable individuals.
Simon Thomas affirmed his commitment to the scheme’s core mission.
I am determined to ensure that GAMSTOP continues to play a central role in a national system for the prevention of gambling harm. Self-exclusion is a vital safety net for anyone who is struggling with their gambling and we will continue to develop the scheme to ensure it is as effective as possible.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, welcomed the new appointment.
We are delighted to welcome Simon as our new Chair. His extensive experience of the gambling and charity sectors will be invaluable as we continue to improve the GAMSTOP service and work collaboratively to protect vulnerable consumers from gambling harm.
