The national self-exclusion program for internet gambling, known as GAMSTOP, has reported a notable rise in registrations, with a 9.5% year-over-year increase from 2022 to 2023. According to the data, there has been a significant increase, with over 92,000 vulnerable customers choosing to self-exclude from gambling websites in 2023—a record-breaking year. Notably, May 2023 saw an astounding 8,591 new sign-ups, making it the month with the most registrations.
By the end of December 2023, GAMSTOP will have recorded a total registration figure of 433,357 since its founding in April 2018. The self-exclusion website held an event in the House of Lords last year to commemorate its fifth anniversary, offering personal accounts from people who have experienced it firsthand.
A 31% YoY Growth in Young Registrants
Current data from the second half of 2023 shows a consistent increase in the number of registrations from youth and young adults, with the 16 to 24 age group seeing a significant 31% year-over-year increase in registrations. Between July and December 2023, this age group made up around 21% of registrations, which is an increase from 17% during the same period in 2022. This expansion has been facilitated by GAMSTOP’s proactive outreach to university students through campus visits; the organization will soon release the findings of its yearly study on student gambling.
GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer emphasized the significance of self-exclusion as a crucial tool for individuals grappling with gambling challenges. Palmer stated, “We want to continue raising awareness of GAMSTOP to anyone who might benefit from self-exclusion and to the friends and families of anyone affected by gambling.”
Most GAMSTOP registrants (55%) choose the longest exclusion period that is presently offered, which is a five-year period. Customers can, however, choose for shorter self-exclusion periods, which might be as short as six months or a year.
Harj Gahley, a former gambler and non-executive director of the gambling charity Red Card, praised GAMSTOP as a vital lifeline after considering the influence of the program on his rehabilitation. Gahley emphasized how the platform’s prohibition of online gambling options contributes to users’ feeling of security.
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