Must Read GAMSTOP Announces Record Registration Numbers

[Webzcas]

PR from GAMSTOP:

GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has announced record registration numbers for the start of the year.

In the biggest daily figures since its inception in 2018, GAMSTOP saw 415 people signing up on January 1st, followed by 413 new registrants on January 2nd and 396 on the 6th – the 3 highest daily registration figures since May 2023.

In a continued effort to support vulnerable consumers, GAMSTOP has introduced a new ‘5 years with auto-renewal’ option, for vulnerable consumers looking to extend their exclusion from gambling websites and apps. The new 5 -year auto-renewal exclusion was developed in direct response to feedback from users.

More than half a million people have signed up for GAMSTOP's services in the years following its launch, with many expressing a desire for longer-term exclusion options. Independent evaluation of the service by Ipsos found that some users are nervous about what happens when they come to the end of their exclusion period and others would have opted for a "lifetime" ban if it had been available.

Currently, at the end of a consumer’s self-exclusion period, the exclusion remains active for up to a further seven years unless they contact GAMSTOP to ask for it to be removed.

Under the new option, consumers who select 5-years with auto-renewal will have their exclusion automatically renewed for an additional 5-year period once the initial term expires. This cycle will continue, providing an ongoing safeguard against gambling participation unless the consumer actively chooses to opt-out of the auto-renewal feature.

For consumers who have opted in to receive emails, GAMSTOP will also begin sending email reminders to those with 5-year exclusions (with or without auto-renewal) every 15 months, helping them stay informed about their upcoming expiration and renewal dates.

The 5-year auto-renewal exclusion option is now available alongside GAMSTOP's existing 6-month, 1-year, and 5-year exclusion periods. Consumers with a current 5- year exclusion will be able to upgrade it by turning on auto-renewal within their account.

Gamstop Group CEO, Fiona Palmer said:

“We have come a very long way since our launch in April 2018, but our journey doesn’t stop there.

Our goal is to provide consumers with tools and options that empower them to take control of their gambling activity. As such, we’re consistently listening to feedback and evaluating the effectiveness of our service.

Consumers wanted longer exclusion periods and we listened. The introduction of the 5-year auto-renewal exclusion is an important step in ensuring consumers peace of mind when using our service and helping vulnerable consumers take a sustained break from their gambling.”

 

[conker]

The good:

- Record numbers of players in the UK have decided to stop chasing losses and have taken action
- The Gamstop tool is improving, building flexibility for players to set options that suit them

The bad:

- Self-excluded players are more vulnerable to the black market. Should they decide to start exploring not-on-gamstop then they have no protections
- Record numbers means that something very unhealthy is going on in the UK with Gambling, especially after all UKGC's efforts to curb problem gambling and cut harm.

 

[SYPlayer95]

The good:

- Record numbers of players in the UK have decided to stop chasing losses and have taken action
- The Gamstop tool is improving, building flexibility for players to set options that suit them

The bad:

- Self-excluded players are more vulnerable to the black market. Should they decide to start exploring not-on-gamstop then they have no protections
- Record numbers means that something very unhealthy is going on in the UK with Gambling, especially after all UKGC's efforts to curb problem gambling and cut harm.

Was about to say, surely with a record number of sign ups means the industry has somewhat failed in its social responsibility. IMO, anyway.

 

[dunover]

Was about to say, surely with a record number of sign ups means the industry has somewhat failed in its social responsibility. IMO, anyway.

That's one way of looking at it, conversely you can say an increasing amount of people have required control over their activities from a third party as tempation overcame them.

It's the NY resolution effect, same as smoking, dieting or boozing. If we could have a JunkfoodStop or BoozeStop or DrugStop solution in our lives, then they too would see the same periodic increases. In fact, I'd wager (NPI) that those vices would see far more than 1-2k sign-ups in the first week of January.

 

[snorky510238]

It’s also to do with Casinos and Providers ripping the piss out of their customers. There’s no control over what the thieving bastards are getting away with.

I happily played for 5 years. YES, I lost money but I got entertainment and I had a few wins up to nearly 4k. Fast forward and you’re extremely lucky if you can win £40 and I’m being serious.

What’s going on behind the scenes, badly needs looking into.

 

[irish-ranger]

It’s also to do with Casinos and Providers ripping the piss out of their customers. There’s no control over what the thieving bastards are getting away with.

I happily played for 5 years. YES, I lost money but I got entertainment and I had a few wins up to nearly 4k. Fast forward and you’re extremely lucky if you can win £40 and I’m being serious.

What’s going on behind the scenes, badly needs looking into.

I took a 4 year break then went to the dark side "crypto" mate the differences between them and the corrupt UK shite is blatantly obvious.
I've had some great wins and havnt been fucked over yet yes some drag their feet but always pay, more and more of them are now doing instant withdrawals via bank transfer.
There's always a risk we can get fucked over but I'd rather take my chance and piss in the wind with the UK lot.

 

[snorky510238]

Yes, I wonder whether the UK facing Casinos realise it’s pretty much game over and are having one last big payday because playing at the likes of Mr Vegas, Betway and Grosvenor is like playing at a seaside arcade run by gipsies. Absolutely ****ing disgusting!

 

[Webzcas]

GAMSTOP should be lauded for the work they do and whilst not a 100% fool proof system ( Is there ever such a thing? ), a national self exclusion service is a good thing. I myself have been signed up to it pretty much since its inception.

It does not stop people playing with operators based in unregulated territories, but the signing up to GAMSTOP is only one of several actions that a player has to follow through on. Another action is to utilise software provided by the likes of Betblocker on all your internet enabled devices.

The fact more and more people are registering with GAMSTOP should be seen as a big positive, as without it, there would be one less pretty important roadblock in assisting a problem gambler to wean themselves off his or her addiction.

 

[slot_zombie]

UKGC casinos with all their restrictions are a massive GAMSTOP in themselves.

I've always been a controlled addict but haven't been tempted to enjoy the neutered, low RTP experience at one for years. No GAMSTOP required.

On a few months break from the Cryptos after a terrible run, so simply uninstalled NordVPN, job done.