Since its launch in 2018, GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion program for online gambling in the UK, has registered over 500,000 users, surpassing a noteworthy milestone. Vulnerable people can prevent access to any gambling website licensed by the Gambling Commission using this free service. Six months to five years are the self-exclusion durations that users can select, with about half of registrants at this time choosing the longest option.
April 2024 marked a historic month for GAMSTOP, with a record-breaking 8,686 new sign-ups. This achievement comes ahead of the annual Self-Exclusion Day on September 12th, when football clubs across the nation will promote the service at stadiums and online. During the weekend of September 7-8, fans at English Football League (EFL) matches will see self-exclusion messages displayed, raising awareness for those seeking help.
GAMSTOP Expands Awareness Efforts with New Data
Recent research from the Gambling Commission highlights the need for services like GAMSTOP. The study reveals that 2.5% of respondents suffer from problem gambling, with men and younger people under 35 facing the highest rates of harm. In the first half of 2024, data showed an increase in younger users registering, with 50% of new registrants aged 16-35, and a 12% rise in those aged 16-24.
GAMSTOP’s CEO, Fiona Palmer, emphasized the service’s impact, stating: “We have come a very long way since our launch in April 2018 and GAMSTOP is now widely recognised as an important tool to help vulnerable consumers take a break from their gambling.” The second independent evaluation of GAMSTOP’s effectiveness, conducted by Ipsos, will be released later this month, with 78% of surveyed users reporting positive outcomes. The full results will be presented to gambling operators at a webinar on September 19th.
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