Effects of Gamstop on UK Gaming

Blocking oneself from playing at online gaming platforms for a period can be all you need to put your mind back together. That peace you feel when you have the urge to splurge some cash and yet you are banned from betting is a lifesaver. In the UK, the Gamstop scheme is having more new members as the days go by and has also seen a 9.5% increase in the number of new registrants. 

In 2023, there was a surge of 92,000+ new registrations in one year alone. In May, 8591 new people signed up to be a part of the scheme. Gamstop seems to be gaining a lot of ground and we are all here for what it has to offer. In this article, we will be considering the effects of Gamstop on UK gaming as we look at various aspects of the scheme. 

How The Gamstop Self-Exclusion Program Works

The self-exclusion program offered by Gamstop is open to all UK players who want to participate. All the player needs to do is to register for the program. To sign up, you must provide your personal information which includes name, date of birth, and passport number. Once the process is completed, you have been self-excluded and won’t be able to play at any UKGC-licenced casino site. 

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission receives your data after registration and adds your details to the list of other self-excluded players. When signing up, you are allowed to choose your self-exclusion period (usually from 6 months to 5 years). 

Whenever a UK user registered on Gamstop wants to sign up or play at any UKGC-licensed casino site, the scheme automatically scans your details and if found to be on the Gamstop list, you can’t have access to the betting site. 

The Gambling Legislation UK Act

The legislation on gambling in the UK directs that all the platforms offering online gaming activities must be a part of the Gamstop program. Every operator should assess all players and ensure that those whose database appears on Gamstop will be blocked from using the said gambling site. 

Note that this law includes all the licenced casino sites operating in the UK and not only the UKGC-licenced platforms. 

According to the Gambling Act 2005, all online gaming platforms must ensure responsible gaming and always protect all players registered on its platform. It’s the responsibility of online operators to educate gamblers about addiction and irresponsible gambling and guide them to join the self-exclusion. 

By encouraging them to sign up on Gamstop, they can help these players gamble responsibly. This is why all operators are mandated to be a part of the Gamstop program. In 2014, the Gambling Act Law came up higher in its rules for disconnected players. It forbids all players who are part of the system to register or play at any online betting platform whether licensed by the UKGC or any other offshore licencing body.

Are More People Signing Up on Gamstop?

The statistics posted by Gamstop sometime in mid-August 2023 show the trend of how young people registered on the scheme. It shows that there were more new sign-ups in the first half of the year. By the second half, we can see the increase of registered players has increased by 30% mostly for users within the age bracket of 16 – 24. 

One thing that is worthy of note is that this age group moved the number of new signees registering on the platform from 17% in the previous year and increased it to 21%. 

In April 2018, the Gamstop initiative came on board and since then many have bought into the initiative of self-exclusion hence the increased reader of users. According to Fiona Palmer, the CEO of Gamstop, the aim is to help those who struggle with gambling addiction by using blocking tools support. 

In her words, the self-exclusion plan is to make people see the importance of what we do including the family and friends of the victim. So far, the system has recorded more than 433, 357 players, and more people are still signing up as the awareness continues to increase.

With the number of young adults registering, it means more people understand the importance of Gamstop. From the data, 50% of registered participants have chosen to self-exclude for 5 years. 

“The Gamstop awareness is set to increase in 2024 and we will be partnering not only with casino platforms but organizations and supportive bodies’ ‘ Palmer said.

How Gamstop Affects Gaming in the UK

The significance of what Gamstop stands for in the UK gaming industry cannot be overemphasized. What is the impact of this scheme on gaming activities and how does it affect players?

Gamstop Self-Exclusion in the Future

In the future, Gamstop is set to increase its self-exclusion schemes to reach a wider audience. There are going to be more collaborations and partnerships with more gambling sites and organizations to accommodate more people. The system will be able to incorporate advanced technology and data analysis to help the seamless operation of the scheme in supporting those with gambling problems.

Creating More Awareness and Increasing Reach

One of the aims of the Gamstop program is to reach as many as possible who need help. This is done by increasing awareness and educating the users on the dangers of this kind of gambling lifestyle. The more Gamstop and other online casino betting platforms make this program known to potential players, the more people will make better decisions in their gambling lives. 

The Balance Between Player’s Freedom and Control

Gamstop is a good initiative with laid-out plans on how to help manage people with bad gambling habits. While responsible players should be allowed to play unhindered, vulnerable players must be protected at all costs. Now there has to be a balance between respecting the freedom of players and controlling those who need it. The system must understand individual choices and also protect gambling addicts.

Integrating Support Systems 

In the Gamstop self-exclusion scheme, there are a lot of measures put in place to help these risk-prone gamblers. Apart from using self-exclusion tools to control their habits, there is also provision for a support team. The scheme provides counselling, educational materials, and a support community where you can get help. With an efficient support system, you can get all the guidance, support, and mentorship you need. 

Pros of Gamstop

• Gamstop has proven to be a valuable platform that promotes responsible gambling. It helps those who need help to control their gambling appetite
• It’s easy to sign up on the platform. With one registration, you are self-excluded from every online gaming platform
• On Gamstop you can choose the length of time you wish to self-exclude. The period is between 6 months to 5 years, so you can make your choice
• Gamblers who are struggling with addiction can get help by signing up on Gamstop. They provide the necessary tools, support, and guidance you need to recover from this habit

Cons of Gamstop

• The scheme is non-reversible or ends anytime you choose once you register. This means that even when you want to get back to gambling, you cannot till your exclusion period is over
• The Gamstop scheme is only available for UK gambling sites. It means that self-excluded members can still access non GamStop betting sites
• While it is a good plan to self-exclude players, you cannot force everyone to be on it. So, many others may be at risk but not on Gamstop.

Conclusion

People who have bad gaming habits are invited to register on Gamstop for self-exclusion. Many (men and women) are already signing up to use this service. Looking at the stats in recent years is enough to show that the Gamstop system and online betting sites are doing well with awareness.  If you struggle with addictions or irresponsible gambling, this is the best thing you can do to help yourself – SIGN ON GAMSTOP UP TODAY!