Jimmy Thomas Bingo
CEO and Chairman
Few have done more for bingo than Jimmy Thomas, yet Jimmy Thomas has decided that bingo can do no more for him. Beacon bingo was started by Jimmy Thomas in 1963. He already ran the successful “Thomas Automatics” business which provided equipment for the amusements industry. Initially starting in Loughborough, they went on to open the successful Hounslow club in 1978 which was later sold to Coral.
Simon is the seventh generation of his family to work in the leisure industry. With over 17 years Gaming Certification, he was the youngest ever President of the British Amusement Catering Trade Association and is currently a Director of several companies in the gaming and entertainment industry. He was also Managing Director of Thomas Estates Ltd which operated many venues including Beacon Bingo in Cricklewood, the largest and most successful Bingo club in the country.
What do you do?
I can honestly say I have been involved in everything to do with the transformation of this amazing building into an incredible West End venue, from the licences, local and national gaming policies, to the wallpaper and light fittings. I love being involved in bringing my vision to completion.
What will you feel when the doors open for the first time to members of the public?
Elated and excited. This has been a seven year journey with massive challenges. To see the Hippodrome open in its full majesty will make it all worthwhile and I cannot wait to see the customer reaction.
What has been your highest point so far?
Jimmy Thomas Bingo Games
Getting past all the hurdles and showing we can do it! But many specific moments stick out and include, the moment we were told we had won our gaming license, the moment when the internal scaffolding started coming down and we could see the completely decorated minstrels gallery from the concrete floor for the first time, seeing the lights on on the outside for the first time, getting the council to move Charing Cross Road a metre to make the pavement at our main entrance wider, the reaction on visitors faces when they walk into the main atrium and go ‘Wow’…and many others…
Why will the Hippodrome will be different from any other Casino?
The Hippodrome has at its heart a stunning Grade 2 listed Victorian theatre known and loved 60% of Londoners alone. It is a London Landmark and icon. The renovations have brought it back to its majestic glory. But also, very importantly, I honestly believe we have the best management team and support staff on any casino in the country, if not the world. What are you most proud of? Developing a team of people who together were able to face all the challenges of the project and be able to overcome them. This has not been a simple project, but the results show what hard work and innovation has been employed to realise an incredible outcome.
What’s your favourite game to play at The Hippodrome Casino?
Roulette, with its volatility and excitement.
Milton Keynes-based gaming company Praesepe presented the bacta Charitable Trust, its chosen charity for 2020, with a cheque for £25,000 at ICE London, an exhibition to showcase the latest in gaming innovation across all sectors.
Bacta (British Amusement Catering Trade Association) is the trade body representing the interests of Britain’s amusements and high street gaming manufacturers and operators. It aims to highlight the ethical, sustainable and professional representation of the industry, and supports a number of charities including Rays of Sunshine, the Teenage Cancer Trust, The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Jimmy Thomas Nfl
Over the last four years,bacta has raised a substantial amount for Rays of Sunshine alone, which grantswishes for children with life-limiting or serious illnesses.
Mark Schertle, chief operating officer forPraesepe said: “We’re very proud to be working with bacta, which does a great job both for our industryand the charities it supports. The £25,000 donation is going to a great cause, which does so much for the family,friends, employees and patients of the hospitals and charities they support.We’re excited to see just how much more we can raise across our Praesepe, MerkurCashino and Beacon Bingo brands.”
Jimmy Thomas, Chairman of the bactaCharitable Trust said: “We’re thrilled and very grateful for this £25,000 donation from Praesepe. It will make a huge difference tothe charities and people we support. Together, I’m sure we will be able toraise a lot more money for each charity, and through that help many more youngand people affected by cancer across the UK.”
The money from the donation will be splitbetween bacta’s chosen charities.
Jimmy Thomas Obit
Since 2005, Praesepe has also raised £1.1million and presented over 170 custom built wheelchairs for its previous chosencharity CHIPS, which was founded by the casino and gaming industry and providesspecialised powered wheelchairs to young people with severe mobility problems.