Wanda Goldwag steps down as Chair of The Senet Group

Industry independent watchdog The Senet Group has today confirmed that Wanda Goldwag has departed as Group Chair.

Goldwag, the first Chair of The Senet Group, which was founded in 2014 to improve industry-wide social responsibility standards in gambling advertising and operational practices, has chosen not to renew a further three-year tenure as Chair of the watchdog.

Issuing an update, The Senet Group informs that Goldwag will join health sector, as a non-executive director of the Royal Free Group.

Goldwag commented on leaving The Senet Group: “It has been an honour working with Senet in raising awareness of the risks associated with excessive and problem gambling. I believe the lead players in the sector have a unique responsibility as well as a unique ability to deliver these messages. The Senet Group has played a central role in crafting these messages and in securing the commitments made to deliver them and to limit various forms of advertising.”

The Senet Group’s board has appointed Gillian Wilmot, a non-executive director to the position of  Interim Chair while the board reviews its future plans with regards to leadership.

The watchdog recognised Goldwag’s achievements as Chair, significantly increasing the group’s operator membership and developing successful safer gambling campaigns, which would be implemented by all industry operators as a new standard.

“Today more than 80 % of players and the public at large recognise the When the Fun Stops campaign to promote responsible gambling and surveys suggest it has helped millions to change their gambling habits on occasion or to intervene with a friend over their actions. But, more needs to be done to make gambling services safer and fairer and to build public trust. That message has been received loud and clear” Gillian Wilmot commented on Goldwag’s tenure

“Going forward, we expect to work with a wide base of industry partners to raise standards and develop and promote best practice. We will focus on online issues and on younger players who are known to pose a higher risk of problem gambling.”