UK-based gambling support charity GamCare has announced the promotion of Mark Weiss to the role of Deputy CEO.
Weiss will maintain his current position as Director of Communications and External Affairs when he takes on the new position.
He brings over a decade of experience in health policy and communications roles.
Before joining GamCare in 2022， Weiss oversaw Policy and Public Affairs for the UK’s largest hospital speciality， anaesthesia， during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He also holds over seven years of experience at the UK Faculty of Public Health， where he held several roles across policy and public affairs.
During his time at GamCare， Weiss has worked across the charity’s external engagement and communications programme.
His new role will involve working closely with Executive Chair Margot Daly， providing leadership and working to make gambling safer.
Weiss shared his excitement at the new position: “I am delighted to take on the role of Deputy CEO. Since joining in 2022 I have seen first-hand the incredible impact that GamCare’s essential services have had in supporting people to recover from gambling harm – and in preventing those harms.
“As we now work through this transitional period in the future of research， prevention， and treatment， I look forward to working in close collaboration with our third sector partners， with GambleAware，Online Casino Games the NHS， and with the Government as， together， we build the next chapter of gambling support in Britain.”
Executive Chair Margot Daly also shared her thoughts: “I am pleased to welcome Mark as the charity’s new Deputy CEO. His first-hand appreciation of the profound positive impact of GamCare’s treatment services and prevention programmes underscores his commitment to the tens of thousands of people who use our services every year.
“As GamCare navigates the evolving landscape， Mark’s collaborative and evidenced-based approach will be instrumental in driving forward GamCare’s core mission to help those affected by gambling-related harm， and to prevent further harm from emerging.”
Earlier this month， GamCare reported that its National Gambling Helpline received more calls and online chats last year than any other previous year on record.
In total， the 52，370 calls and online chats reported in 2023 denoted a 24% increase compared to the year prior.
The WhatsApp channel also received 6，000 interactions throughout the year to seek support related to gambling.