New Gamstop Group Chair pledges to put self-exclusion at the centre of gambling harm strategy
Speaking on his priorities, Pond highlighted the opportunities presented by recent industry changes, including the statutory levy and a stronger evidence-based approach to harm prevention.
Key points:
– New Chair Chris Pond wants self-exclusion central to the national gambling harm strategy
– Plans include integration of Gamstop and Moses, plus stronger links with financial services
Chris Pond, the newly appointed Chair of the Gamstop Group, has outlined plans to position self-exclusion services at the centre of the UK’s national gambling harm reduction strategy.
Pond assumed the role earlier in September, succeeding Jenny Watson CBE, who served as Chair for seven years and was credited with providing the organisation with a “strong foundation and clear purpose.”
According to Pond, the Gamstop Group can leverage its data and insights to inform research and policy development while collaborating on prevention initiatives aligned with national priorities.
The organisation operates Gamstop, the national online self-exclusion scheme that has registered over 600,000 consumers since launching in 2018, alongside Moses, the self-exclusion scheme for betting shops.
Pond brings extensive experience across public, private and non-profit sectors, currently serving as Chair of the Money and Mental Health Advisory Board and the Financial Services Consumer Panel at the Financial Conduct Authority.
His background includes roles as Financial Inclusion Commission Chair, national charity CEO positions and eight years as a Member of Parliament, including service as a Work and Pensions Minister.
The new Chair has identified several strategic priorities, including strengthening operational integration between Gamstop and Moses to ensure smoother user experiences.
He also aims to increase awareness of self-exclusion tools among vulnerable and under-represented groups while building partnerships with regulators, treatment providers and industry stakeholders.
Pond emphasised opportunities for enhanced collaboration with financial services, noting firms’ increasing recognition of their role in supporting vulnerable customers affected by gambling harms.
Proposed initiatives include data sharing for early intervention, embedding self-exclusion tools in banking applications and joint awareness campaigns.
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