The Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission has unveiled five Bermudians who will lead the Problem Gaming Council.

Former deputy head of the civil service Judith Hall Bean will lead the council as chairman. She will be joined by Ernest Peets Jr, Sharon Apopa, Kevin Monkman and Kathleen Keane.

Dr Peets is a long-serving family therapist and counsellor, Dr Apopa is the executive director of the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, while Mr Monkman was a long-serving civil servant. Mrs Keane, a retired lawyer, will serve as Secretary for the council.

Richard Schuetz, the executive director of Bermuda Casino Gaming Commission, said that Ms Hall-Bean would provide the council with a “wealth of public service management experience”, stressing the importance of the council’s role.

“One of our primary goals, since the inception of the Commission in 2015, has been to ensure that a Problem Gaming Council was established well before the opening of any casino on the island,” he said. “We are pleased to have finally reached this stage in our progress, as it signals we are ready to move full steam ahead with gaming — and are doing our part to create a strong and successful gaming industry in Bermuda.

“Most importantly, we are proud with the abundance of talent, skill and experience that each of these council members brings to the table. They will ensure that no stone is left unturned when it comes to problem gambling and minimising as much risk as possible to the people of Bermuda.”

The council will be tasked with ensuring that casino operators and employees are fully trained about problem gaming, making sure that treatment providers have the resources they require and working to make sure the public is aware of the risks of problem gaming and how to seek help.

The Commission is still in the process of recruiting a Director of Problem and Responsible Gaming, who will be appointed on the advice of the council and serve as the conduit between the commission and the council. Their duties will also include overseeing the accreditation process for treatment providers, managing a gambling hotline and a self-exclusion list and community outreach.