GAMSTOP forgot to register my details

[lukeju872]

Quite an interesting one here. I initially registered with Gamstop under my old address, quite soon after I then added my current address. I was told that this would be updated.

Today, after much communication with Gamstop as to why I'm not excluded on all sites, they have admitted fault in not updating my address:

"On this occasion the information you provided was handled by an adviser who was new to the service.

Unfortunately the adviser in question did not manage your request to the service level we would expect and the information was not submitted to the relevant department and in place the request was closed.

The team member has since received further training as a result of this in addition to discussion and documentation to support the events as they have taken place and what is required moving forward.

I hope you are able to take some reassurance that this has now been updated to the register and this contains your most up to date information.

Again please do accept my apologies for the service not meeting the required standards on this occasion and we are happy to help with any other queries or questions you may have moving forward."

Whilst it's good that all my details are now registered, I feel extremely aggrieved that I have been able to continue to gamble and lose money after registering my correct and up to date details with Gamstop.

Whilst it is also my responsibility to try and control my spending, I feel Gamstop have some liability here to my spending after registering with them.

I'd be grateful if anyone could shed some light on this matter.

 

[dionysus]

seeing as you agree you have a problem it wouldnt hurt to ask @maxd to move you to the quit gambling section of the forum

 

[colinsunderland]

Whilst it is also my responsibility to try and control my spending, I feel Gamstop have some liability here to my spending after registering with them.

You would think so wouldn't you, however if you read the T&C's you signed up and agreed to, you will see by logging into your casino accounts, you are in breach and therefore they won't help you.

 

[Playford7]

Sorry If anyone has a problem gambling, really Iam. It must be a most terrible affliction.
However the buck stops at the one whom chooses to gamble, you can’t blame a third party for entering your details and spending your own money.
Personal responsibility in this world of late is almost absent without leave...

 

[TheresNoDInBonanza]

Personal responsibility in this world of late is almost absent without leave...

As is compassion for others it seems.
The dude signed up for a gambling blocking service, how much more personal responsibility would you like him to take? Should he set his computer on fire? Cut off his hands? Move to a desert island?
It's not his fault the industry has implemented a damn useless implementation.
I just hope no-one you know develops an addiction and has to listen to the above kind of horsesh*t from you.

 

[Scott1baird]

As is compassion for others it seems.
The dude signed up for a gambling blocking service, how much more personal responsibility would you like him to take? Should he set his computer on fire? Cut off his hands? Move to a desert island?
It's not his fault the industry has implemented a damn useless implementation.
I just hope no-one you know develops an addiction and has to listen to the above kind of horsesh*t from you.

To be honest he should be taking 100% responsibility as if he signed up to gambstop that should have told himself to stop in the first place, if gambtop had worked he would have probably used a VPN next then blamed the casino, and to be blatant yea he should have burned his PC, he should have gave his phone away, he should self ban from bookies. Gambling can ruin not only your own life but those around you, take full responsibility it's your own fault, seek proper help like GA anonymous, and stop looking for an excus.

 

[colinsunderland]

To be honest he should be taking 100% responsibility as if he signed up to gambstop that should have told himself to stop in the first place, if gambtop had worked he would have probably used a VPN next then blamed the casino, and to be blatant yea he should have burned his PC, he should have gave his phone away, he should self ban from bookies. Gambling can ruin not only your own life but those around you, take full responsibility it's your own fault, seek proper help like GA anonymous, and stop looking for an excus.

Might as well scrap gamstop and all RG tools then.

 

[Scott1baird]

Might as well scrap gamstop and all RG tools then.

Probably as problem gamblers will ALWAYS find a way, VPN. Non signed up casinos, walk in bookies, land casinos. All gamstop does is retrict certain devices nothing stopping buying a new device and starting again.

 

[colinsunderland]

Probably as problem gamblers will ALWAYS find a way, VPN. Non signed up casinos, walk in bookies, land casinos. All gamstop does is retrict certain devices nothing stopping buying a new device and starting again.

How exactly does gamstop restrict physical devices? Thats not how it works at all.

 

[TheresNoDInBonanza]

Probably as problem gamblers will ALWAYS find a way, VPN. Non signed up casinos, walk in bookies, land casinos. All gamstop does is retrict certain devices nothing stopping buying a new device and starting again.

This is utter crap.
Firstly you say GA is a "real" way to get help whereas it's been shown to be ineffective and your other argument that he could just use a VPN doesn't make sense since Gamstop (apparently...) works based on user details, which he had entered correctly.

Your argument that he didn't do enough is a real good way to discourage people from taking any steps to help themselves.

I don't need to set fire to my PC and go to GA nightly- I just have a single account that I can access that my wife can transfer money into on request.

 

[goatwack]

I think gamblers have to have a sense of accountability & responsibility, and signing up to Gamstop is surely indicative of that. To a much lesser extent I have deposit limits that I have 'tested', and still do. Yet also knowing they work as an effective deterrent, makes life a lot easier.

The point of these implementations is that they're supposed to be aids and tools, not complete replacements. When used with some self-discipline these RG tools can be extremely effective.

Yet simply put, one cock-up is one too many when it comes to gambling prevention. Gamstop has been littered with problems since launch and clearly not fit for purpose, so why would anyone trust them going forward?

 

[Scott1baird]

Okay now your talking crap, wanna story here it is, ten years ago I was at rock bottom, got my last weeks wages and thought a little gamble will sort it out, needless to say I lost it all, I had to go home to the wife and explain what happened, she listened to my story forgave me and all was well, now the truth I spent my wages gambling lost it couldn't face my wife waited till she left for work then I went around all the chemists got painkillers sleeping tablets the lot, went to off license got a bottle of vodka went home drank the vodka took the pills to end it all. Step daughter found me about an hour later as she had a day of school what a fucking surprise she had yeah, a week in hospital a few years at GA which helped me so much. I got rid of my computer, phone and changed my route to work. So yes they do help and yes it is his fucking fault like it or lump it. I know.

 

[TheresNoDInBonanza]

Um.. Congratulations?

 

[theapple]

Okay now your talking crap, wanna story here it is, ten years ago I was at rock bottom, got my last weeks wages and thought a little gamble will sort it out, needless to say I lost it all, I had to go home to the wife and explain what happened, she listened to my story forgave me and all was well, now the truth I spent my wages gambling lost it couldn't face my wife waited till she left for work then I went around all the chemists got painkillers sleeping tablets the lot, went to off license got a bottle of vodka went home drank the vodka took the pills to end it all. Step daughter found me about an hour later as she had a day of school what a fucking surprise she had yeah, a week in hospital a few years at GA which helped me so much. I got rid of my computer, phone and changed my route to work. So yes they do help and yes it is his fucking fault like it or lump it. I know.

thats a great story, but how does that relate to anti gambling tool not doing its job?

of course he could have played in stores or whatever, but the entire point of signing up for something like Gamestop is to block your online activity. If it doesnt do that, they might as well get rid of it.

Even if someone is not allowed to enter physical stores and is banned from online gambling world alltogether, he could still go to Thailand and bet on turtle races. That doesnt mean he should be able to play online too, because hes able to place bets on turtle races, thats just not how it works.

 

[Scott1baird]

thats a great story, but how does that relate to anti gambling tool not doing its job?

of course he could have played in stores or whatever, but the entire point of signing up for something like Gamestop is to block your online activity. If it doesnt do that, they might as well get rid of it.

Even if someone is not allowed to enter physical stores and is banned from online gambling world alltogether, he could still go to Thailand and bet on turtle races. That doesnt mean he should be able to play online too, because hes able to place bets on turtle races, thats just not how it works.

I agree yes the point I was trying to make was even after using GameStop he still deposited and gambled, that is showing a lack of control. Yes he used Gamstop but surely if you use that you shouldn't try yo get around it.

 

[theapple]

I agree yes the point I was trying to make was even after using GameStop he still deposited and gambled, that is showing a lack of control. Yes he used Gamstop but surely if you use that you shouldn't try yo get around it.

Of course its showing lack of control

If people were able to control their gambling they wouldnt have signed up for something like gamestop so it kinda applies there is a lack of control on players part, doesnt it.

on the other hand, my point being - we cant always put a blame on players. And while i agree with you and others here, we really are all responsible for our own actions, i also think companies should be responsible too. They never are though, so it always comes down to players being responsible for everything. Thats how we got to this point where anti-gambling tool just doesnt work, no other way around it, and yet we have people putting all the blame on players and not the company behind that anti gambling tool.

 

[colinsunderland]

I agree yes the point I was trying to make was even after using GameStop he still deposited and gambled, that is showing a lack of control. Yes he used Gamstop but surely if you use that you shouldn't try yo get around it.

Did you miss my question? How does using a new device circumvent GamStop?

 

[Scott1baird]

Is it gamban or Gamstop that only works on devices? Even so he could just go to casinos that don't use either.

 

[EkJR]

To be honest he should be taking 100% responsibility as if he signed up to gambstop that should have told himself to stop in the first place, if gambtop had worked he would have probably used a VPN next then blamed the casino, and to be blatant yea he should have burned his PC, he should have gave his phone away, he should self ban from bookies. Gambling can ruin not only your own life but those around you, take full responsibility it's your own fault, seek proper help like GA anonymous, and stop looking for an excus.

I think your missing the point completely. Gamstop was introduced as a self exclusion scheme which just about all UK Casinos signed up to, acknowledging problem gambling. The point is that Gamstop and the Casinos should have software in place to detect excluded players. The player has been let down here by a problem not of his making as he has provided those details. Of course problem gamblers shouldn't be trying to open accounts but that's part of the reason they are problem gamblers! Taking away the opportunity to do so is a godsend. I am one of these people and Gamstop is a way out.

 

[EkJR]

Is it gamban or Gamstop that only works on devices? Even so he could just go to casinos that don't use either.

You can't sign up for any casino in the UK when your on Gamstop. Simple as that no matter what device the person uses. You can't sign up for nonUKGC licenced casinos anyway.

 

[Scott1baird]

I don't think I'm missing the point at all. Okay he signed up to gamban or gamstop. Then tried to join another casino, who is to blame him for trying? If he joined using the correct detail or the ban companies? The whole point of these companies is to try and make you not join any that are registered to put it into your head you can't join again, that's the point. What's the point in signing up if the next day you try and join or sign into a casino. That's not gamban or stops fault
And if they had have worked would he have not just tried differing his details a little?

 

[trancemonkey]

I think this is an extremely unfortunate situation and one that looks bad on GamStop but ultimately he is responsible for what he does.

Consider the analogy where the government force a new driver to have a device fitted to the car to stop them doing over 40 miles an hour. But the device breaks and whilst driving the new driver realises it's broken and drives at 100 mile and hour and is caught and prosecuted.

Whose fault is it? The person who fitted the device badly or the driver who took advantage of the mistake and drove like an idiot.

I feel really sorry for the OP I really do, but if I used GamStop I wouldn't even try to access a casino because I know I'm (supposed to be) banned from them all. The fact he even tried to gamble shows he is so addicted to gambling that he tried to gamble even after attempting to ban himself from everywhere.

If I was him I would also use GamBlock, GA and any other help he can get to quit gambling. Blaming GamStop for his gambling is unfair .. yes they screwed up, but so did the OP.

 

[colinsunderland]

I don't think I'm missing the point at all. Okay he signed up to gamban or gamstop. Then tried to join another casino, who is to blame him for trying? If he joined using the correct detail or the ban companies? The whole point of these companies is to try and make you not join any that are registered to put it into your head you can't join again, that's the point. What's the point in signing up if the next day you try and join or sign into a casino. That's not gamban or stops fault
And if they had have worked would he have not just tried differing his details a little?

Its not their fault, but the point is, he admitted to having a gambling problem and trying to stop himself gambling by using an approved service that solely exists to stop people with a gambling addiction being able to gamble. Whatever else you say, the fact is, he didn't use different details, and the service failed.

I know its early days but gamstop wants to sort all these problems out, and also get someone on SEO, they don't even appear on the first page of google when you search for them ffs.

 

[trancemonkey]

Its not their fault, but the point is, he admitted to having a gambling problem and trying to stop himself gambling by using an approved service that solely exists to stop people with a gambling addiction being able to gamble. Whatever else you say, the fact is, he didn't use different details, and the service failed.

I know its early days but gamstop wants to sort all these problems out, and also get someone on SEO, they don't even appear on the first page of google when you search for them ffs.

Totally agree here .. when I searched for it a few weeks back Google says "Showing results for GameStop" and didn't even show GamStop. That might now have changed ...

 

[Nicola]

Totally agree here .. when I searched for it a few weeks back Google says "Showing results for GameStop" and didn't even show GamStop. That might now have changed ...

Still doing that now

Had exactly the same issue for three months with the site I manage. It kept changing to 'Glamcheck' a womans clothing site but thankfully search traffic numbers were reversed thereafter and had no problems.

I think Gamstop will have issues competing with Gamestop as it's looks very popular. Not an easy solution me thinks.

 

[Nicola]

Also noticed, that the big UK bookmakers are paying for traffic on self exclusion terms

 

[Jono777]

How does Gamstop, stop a total addict walking into a bookies or arcade they've never set foot in before and blowing £1,000's on those awful FOBT's / B3's ?

Tools are great, compassion is great, understanding is great, will power and self responsibility are also great when used, or at least tried.

 

[colinsunderland]

How does Gamstop, stop a total addict walking into a bookies or arcade they've never set foot in before and blowing £1,000's on those awful FOBT's / B3's ?

Tools are great, compassion is great, understanding is great, will power and self responsibility are also great when used, or at least tried.

They don't but online is much easier than in store.
I could deposit and lose £50k before the morning online, no problem.
I have about £100 cash in my pocket and could get £500 from the cashpoint, thats all I could lose tomorrow in store, unless I go into town, into a branch, and even then couldn't get £50k out over the counter straight away.
If someone wants to gamble, no amount of tools or anything will stop them, no different to drink or drug addictions, but if you put enough barriers in the way, it gives the person more time to think about what they are doing before they make mistakes.

 

[Mark_32Red (retired acct)]

Also noticed, that the big UK bookmakers are paying for traffic on self exclusion terms

Hi Nicola,

I’m not sure that’s too fair, as a seasoned member and one who understands online marketing you will know that this will be a broad match on the term ‘gambling’ rather than targeting anyone with a gambling problem. If you search for ‘banana banana gambling’ I am sure these ads will still appear.

It’s a fair point though and perhaps there is a way to exclude a search term including ‘self exclusion’ but I am not sure.

I’ll do some checks from our side to see what’s possible.

Mark

 

[Playford7]

As is compassion for others it seems.
The dude signed up for a gambling blocking service, how much more personal responsibility would you like him to take? Should he set his computer on fire? Cut off his hands? Move to a desert island?
It's not his fault the industry has implemented a damn useless implementation.
I just hope no-one you know develops an addiction and has to listen to the above kind of horsesh*t from you.

Good reply and I understand totally.
I came across most poor.
And after reflection agree with most you say, that said I do think gambling is a personal choice, harder for some than others to control I get that, no offence was intended to anyone.

 

[TheresNoDInBonanza]

Hi Nicola,

I’m not sure that’s too fair, as a seasoned member and one who understands online marketing you will know that this will be a broad match on the term ‘gambling’ rather than targeting anyone with a gambling problem. If you search for ‘banana banana gambling’ I am sure these ads will still appear.

It’s a fair point though and perhaps there is a way to exclude a search term including ‘self exclusion’ but I am not sure.

I’ll do some checks from our side to see what’s possible.

Mark

Hi Mark, actually it is entirely fair.
You bid for all Google keywords and you can also exclude yourself from showing up for certain words or phrases. My wife's business is relatively small but they still have over 500 carefully curated search terms to include and exclude.

It's no mistake.

 

[deaconk78]

i unfortunately am an addict. i self excluded from slots (bear goat or tiger but not human) and also signed up and registered with gamstop . few weeks ago i signed up to crackpotjotty ( not trying to promote so changing names of sites ) with my partners details but used my debit card and name to deposit . i have no chance to win but i just want to spin . why does the site allow me to deposit when i am self excluded from the address on the account and the name on my debit card . Neither system appears to work . One doesn't wanna know if you log in to your old account and the other doesn't care as long as they can take your money.

addiction is an illness . will power used to work and it does at first but you are just blanking out the shit but passing it elsewhere . i'm currently sat with a 70cl bottle of bourbon . you can block out as much shite as you want but until you deal with the central problem then gamstop and self exclusion isn't going to be effective -they just make it so that casinos can profit from your ability to never win .

 

[Harry_BKK]

i unfortunately am an addict. i self excluded from slots (bear goat or tiger but not human) and also signed up and registered with gamstop . few weeks ago i signed up to crackpotjotty ( not trying to promote so changing names of sites ) with my partners details but used my debit card and name to deposit . i have no chance to win but i just want to spin . why does the site allow me to deposit when i am self excluded from the address on the account and the name on my debit card . Neither system appears to work . One doesn't wanna know if you log in to your old account and the other doesn't care as long as they can take your money.

addiction is an illness . will power used to work and it does at first but you are just blanking out the shit but passing it elsewhere . i'm currently sat with a 70cl bottle of bourbon . you can block out as much shite as you want but until you deal with the central problem then gamstop and self exclusion isn't going to be effective -they just make it so that casinos can profit from your ability to never win .

GamStop and SE should always be regarded as nothing more than aids at curbing or fighting your addiction. They are never the solution.

You should install an app on all your devices that stops access to gambling sites, a selection can be found here:

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

Next you should cede control over your finances to your partner or a person of trust - meaning no credit/debit cards, no access to online banking, no access to over the counter withdrawals and only "daily pocket money" for your daily expenses such as food, cigs etc. You might squander the 10 - 20 quid a few times at the local bookies but soon you'll realize that you will have the rest of the day with nothing in your pocket or stomach, no smokes etc. (assuming your partner or chosen person of trust stays firm).

Last but not least, make a plan how to repay your debts and put a time limit to it. Gamblers will only act under some pressure.

Finally, join a help group if your addiction is so advanced that you feel you won't make it by yourself.