Gamstop, operators refusing to re-open accounts when self-exclusion ends

[sufferinsilence]

People do it all the time to save money. Doesn't mean they have a problem, just means they have a problem saving money.

Exactly this, I've taken timeouts or put deposit limits to the smallest amount possible simply not to be tempted to deposit because I wanted to save up some money for other stuff. Also because I thought by myself: I'm playing a bit too much lately, I should take a break. Does this mean you have a problem? I think it means the exact opposite!

 

[bebo67]

Exactly this, I've taken timeouts or put deposit limits to the smallest amount possible simply not to be tempted to deposit because I wanted to save up some money for other stuff. Also because I thought by myself: I'm playing a bit too much lately, I should take a break. Does this mean you have a problem? I think it means the exact opposite!

I put deposit limits last year on my VS account. Did it for about 4 months, that choice was made because I was spending crazy amounts and not getting over my deposits. It was more of "eff you" you're not getting anymore of my money Neat tool to have, but could you imagine if everyone used it? Now, I could care less if I play. My cashback this month was under 5 dollars. I am finding it a total waste of money, and I work very long hours in a day, to make what I can, and starting to hold it dearly to me.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

Exactly this, I've taken timeouts or put deposit limits to the smallest amount possible simply not to be tempted to deposit because I wanted to save up some money for other stuff. Also because I thought by myself: I'm playing a bit too much lately, I should take a break. Does this mean you have a problem? I think it means the exact opposite!

Exactly this.

I'm rather uneasy with people being tarred as a problem gambler just because they've decided to take a 6 month break. As you say, it makes that individual more responsible if anything.

Maybe casinos should offer longer TAB periods rather than effectively forcing people into taking a 6 month exclusion. The thing with Gamstop is you can effectively take a break from all casinos for 6 months, with ease. Not really fair that a player is then labelled a problem gambler for using such an effective tool!

 

[snorky510238]

People do it all the time to save money. Doesn't mean they have a problem, just means they have a problem saving money.

So if they have to exclude in order to ensure they save the money instead of gambling it they do have a problem. They are gambling money they should be saving. No?

 

[Slottery]

So if they have to exclude in order to ensure they save the money instead of gambling it they do have a problem. They are gambling money they should be saving. No?

This. Keep wondering if person who don't have any problems to control gambling need to have these tools not to tempt play money shouldn't be played but saved. It's clearly addressing that person in question is not fully in control about gambling when need to use such a tool to avoid impulsive moments when gambling is too tempting not to spend money planned to be saved.

Nobody said that taking 6 months break makes you categorized severe problem gambler who should be permanently self-excluded, but really don't get the point that using Gamstop is not giving any sign about player have problems to be in full control of his/hers spending. When you start to see impulsive behavior patterns on when reviewing somebody whole history, you might see that behavior is repeating itself, limits keep changing all the time, these time outs, self exclusions are used often after bigger spending etc... That really can indicate not being in full control about gambling and then is just guessing what will be happening next.

Casinos don't have any obligation to accept any player if they don't feel to. Business after all, if you see more risk than value, you might end up not to accept some players. It's business after all like all companies, even you see loads of nice words about responsible and safe gambling, end line is make profit and avoid situations where you end up to trouble or end up to spend more time and money to monitor your possible problem gamblers what you earn from them. That's just how it goes, nice words can be seen and written but in business, you are willing to maximize your profit and having problem gamblers playing with you is usually not generating long time revenue, so few there and then easily get thrown out instead of allowing them to play even with limits etc..

 

[chris87]

As posters have noted, just because you take a break it doesn't necessarily mean that you have a gambling problem. In my case I have taken a break after 15 years, not because I have a gambling problem, but I wanted to take time out to ensure I'm not distracted as I need to look after my wife who currently has cancer. Her prognosis is that the treatment will take up to 12 months for a full recovery. Therefore I saw Gamstop as a good and easy way of achieving this, so I signed up for one year.

I do realise that many do use Gamstop due to having gambling issues, but if I had realised that I could now be labelled as a problem gambler and have difficulty in accessing my casino accounts once the Gamstop period ends, I would have never signed up. Indeed, this is not made clear when you join.

Like many things it seems as if each casino takes its own stance and interpretation with this, but kudos for the likes of Mark at 32 Red and Conor at Trada for taking a pragmatic approach.

Obviously I do still log into Casinomeister to see what's going on which can be quite therapeutic (!) but I currently don't have time to play the slots.

Hope all are well- Chris

 

[Slottery]

I do realise that many do use Gamstop due to having gambling issues, but if I had realised that I could now be labelled as a problem gambler and have difficulty in accessing my casino accounts once the Gamstop period ends, I would have never signed up. Indeed, this is not made clear when you join.

Like many things it seems as if each casino takes its own stance and interpretation with this, but kudos for the likes of Mark at 32 Red and Conor at Trada for taking a pragmatic approach.

That's kind of thing what Gamstop can't make clear to anyone as all casinos are making their own business decision what it's coming to accepting any players and many other things.

Hard to see that any casino would ban players for life because of one Gamstop break but it do suggest that person who did that, is not fully able to control gambling without this helping tool.

Like person who can control their drinking and don't need any powerful tool for that, don't start to take antabuse medication for certain period which makes it impossible to have even one drink (at least for most of people who are taking it). If you need that powerful tool to take control that you don't tempt to be impulsive to gambling, drinking or many other similar things, then somebody might see that person can't control his/hers behavior -> have bigger potential to have problems in future.

 

[paul7388]

I can see why people say taking a break from gambling might not be because of gambling problems it can be for many reasons and they find Gamstop a great tool.

All i am pointing out is that with all the rules and fines some casinos will not be willing to take any chances. They will just see it as the player used Gamstop so they could not gamble for 6 months for whatever reason so that player obviously could not trust themselves not to gamble so we will not allow them back.

Not saying the casinos are right in doing it. But they do not have the reasons behind why a player used Gamstop. They just see the player signed up and are left with the choice.
Do we allow a player that may have been a problem gambler to play or do we just be safe and refuse.

 

[irish-ranger]

People do it all the time to save money. Doesn't mean they have a problem, just means they have a problem saving money.

Correct as was my case..

 

[mack341]

If as slottery says casinos might not want customers back who have used gamstop for six months as it could be a 'risk to their business in terms of the ukgc and the need to exclude anyone with a gambling problem, what about customers who TAB for even a month, or use it regularly, is that not also the same kind of warning bell?

I personally think you have to go along with gamstop the way it's been intended/created as a control tool initiated by the player not as a shortcut tool for the casino to choose which customers to exclude, if ukgc begin to use 'registering and using gamstop' as corrabative evidence against casinos, then that will be the time to publicise the issue, so that potential gamstop users are made aware, in that instance casinos would be well within their rights to not accept returning customers, but atm I believe they need to still to do things the 'old 'way. [which obviously requires a bit more analysis and kyc work by the casino]

Which is the patterns of gambling, size and number of deposits, time spent gambling etc...otherwise the short term 6-12 month's use of gamstop will be greatly reduced if it actually leads to permanent exclusion, and the player who wants to gamble responsibly, not give up gambling forever, has lost another tool to help them stay in control.

Just my opinion and take on things as we currently stand

 

[Slottery]

If as slottery says casinos might not want customers back who have used gamstop for six months as it could be a 'risk to their business in terms of the ukgc and the need to exclude anyone with a gambling problem, what about customers who TAB for even a month, or use it regularly, is that not also the same kind of warning bell?

I can just say for sure, for some casino(s) any time self-exclusion in Gamstop is permanent because of they have decided that. They have right to do it, as well some casinos can decide that if somebody have decided to self-exclude themselves for fixed time, they are not welcome back.

Just pointed out that there are no really any rules that any casino have to welcome any player to play with them if they not want to. This might start to go bit over from OP:s post.

These things you mentioned can be counted as RG signs, it's purely up to casino how they want to act. Some take more strict approach to save them from any RG related issues, differs from market quite a lot as well and some are happy to players do things what other one not. They are competitors and taking many different approaches to their business. There is no need for exclude players because of Gamstop, just decision made by casino.

Not saying here what is right or wrong, but was just posting that casinos who are not welcoming players after Gamstop expired, does exist. But there for sure are other casinos where playing is possible even for some place is not.

 

[mack341]

I can just say for sure, for some casino(s) any time self-exclusion in Gamstop is permanent because of they have decided that. They have right to do it, as well some casinos can decide that if somebody have decided to self-exclude themselves for fixed time, they are not welcome back.

Just pointed out that there are no really any rules that any casino have to welcome any player to play with them if they not want to. This might start to go bit over from OP:s post.

These things you mentioned can be counted as RG signs, it's purely up to casino how they want to act. Some take more strict approach to save them from any RG related issues, differs from market quite a lot as well and some are happy to players do things what other one not. They are competitors and taking many different approaches to their business. There is no need for exclude players because of Gamstop, just decision made by casino.

Not saying here what is right or wrong, but was just posting that casinos who are not welcoming players after Gamstop expired, does exist. But there for sure are other casinos where playing is possible even for some place is not.

Would these casinos, that are excluding all former gamstop users, ever consider putting up a message on their site or in the sign up t&c's that this is their position, so that the customer at least knows his account will be permanently closed?

 

[Slottery]

Would these casinos, that are excluding all former gamstop users, ever consider putting up a message on their site or in the sign up t&c's that this is their position, so that the customer at least knows his account will be permanently closed?

No idea, just decision some have taken, not part of t&cs or something might not possibly change with time if found bad decision. Not made by me, so don't really know, just that in fact some act like this.

 

[sufferinsilence]

I have used the time-out or deposit limit options more after I won a big chunk than after a I lost big. For me it's a tool to see the money in my bank account before deciding how much I want to play the rest of the week/month. The euphoria of winning big often triggers people to deposit more than they usually do, it happened to me and the feeling when you lose a big win you just had is awful so it's an awesome tool to take a "sober" look at it.

And for me the fact you decide to take a break after you lose big shows atleast you still have control to decide enough's enough and it's time to take a look at your gambling behavior. It doesn't necessarily mean you lost your wages and savings and have to quit now before you get into even more trouble and develop a serious gambling problem.

 

[chris87]

Same as myself 6 month break last year Gamesys life time ban.
Trada Conor the rep sorted it out
Lv bet the rep also sorted it out.
MT secure also whacked a life time ban but a fellow Meister member sorted it all accounts up and running.
32 RED life time ban rep informed and ignored me but hey ho no big drama.
All other accounts working grand.

Hi, you say "All other accounts working grand." Could you say which casinos they are at? It would be helpful when my Gamstop period expires.

Many thanks- Chris

 

[irish-ranger]

Hi, you say "All other accounts working grand." Could you say which casinos they are at? It would be helpful when my Gamstop period expires.

Many thanks- Chris

Yup no probs.
William hill once my exclusion ended they automatically lifted it with out me having to contact them.
Sky vegas Etc same as above
Casumo was a ball ache had to send chat transcripts from Gamstop as proof they then hit me with KYC.
Bet 365 same as William hill.
Pending what other accounts you have you will no doubt face some issues if so and they have reps on here they will assist..

 

[chris87]

Yup no probs.
William hill once my exclusion ended they automatically lifted it with out me having to contact them.
Sky vegas Etc same as above
Casumo was a ball ache had to send chat transcripts from Gamstop as proof they then hit me with KYC.
Bet 365 same as William hill.
Pending what other accounts you have you will no doubt face some issues if so and they have reps on here they will assist..

Many thanks Irish, most useful,

Cheers- Chris

 

[Slottery]

Yup no probs.
William hill once my exclusion ended they automatically lifted it with out me having to contact them.
Sky vegas Etc same as above
Casumo was a ball ache had to send chat transcripts from Gamstop as proof they then hit me with KYC.
Bet 365 same as William hill.
Pending what other accounts you have you will no doubt face some issues if so and they have reps on here they will assist..

You had to contact Gamstop and ask them to remove exclusion after period was over and they removed it from their end assume?

Did you try to login any of these sites during your SE period or before your SE was removed from Gamstop after you contacted them? Just trying to figure out that if you didn't try to login to these casinos when SE was on place, how they ever got information that you were as they only get that Yes or No reply when checking if you can login or register account.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

You had to contact Gamstop and ask them to remove exclusion after period was over and they removed it from their end assume?

Did you try to login any of these sites during your SE period or before your SE was removed from Gamstop after you contacted them? Just trying to figure out that if you didn't try to login to these casinos when SE was on place, how they ever got information that you were as they only get that Yes or No reply when checking if you can login or register account.

I can say with certainty that some operators know you're gamstopped without you logging in. Paddy Power and VS in my case. Paddy Power sent me an exclusion email 2 hours after registering with gamstop!

 

[Slottery]

Yes, if they make call to get that Yes or No reply like player would like to login. Just bit resources spending to keep calling that database from all your UK players all the time, hope they have enough server capability Gamstop shouldn't be proactively send information to operators that somebody just started self exclusion period.

Can it be possibly that you had recently played with these operators and they possibly reviewed your account if flagged any RG signs which caused them to check if you have active SE in Gamstop?

 

[Mr_Slot5]

Yes, if they make call to get that Yes or No reply like player would like to login. Just bit resources spending to keep calling that database from all your UK players all the time, hope they have enough server capability Gamstop shouldn't be proactively send information to operators that somebody just started self exclusion period.

Can it be possibly that you had recently played with these operators and they possibly reviewed your account if flagged any RG signs which caused them to check if you have active SE in Gamstop?

I hadn't played on Paddy Power for a while and at VS I had a £100 a week deposit limit set allied to a £300 a month loss limit.

As I said in other threads, I gamstopped for 6 months because I wanted a break.

 

[Slottery]

I hadn't played on Paddy Power for a while and at VS I had a £100 a week deposit limit set allied to a £300 a month loss limit.

As I said in other threads, I gamstopped for 6 months because I wanted a break.

Just asked if you have been playing there before your SE which would triggered your account to be reviewed and therefore they made request to Gamstop to see if you are or not SE from there.

 

[Mr_Slot5]

Just asked if you have been playing there before your SE which would triggered your account to be reviewed and therefore they made request to Gamstop to see if you are or not SE from there.

Nope.

I was a bit surprised when I got the exclusion email to be fair. I think @trancemonkey is correct when he said some operators are performing log ins from their end to check the database.

 

[Slottery]

Sure it's possible for all operators to call Gamstop at anytime and get reply if there is active SE, that's always been possible. Some might run them time to time or how ever they want like if player haven't login for certain time, check if Gamstop etc.... or even perform these all the time which would be bit resource consuming to keep up nearly real time information.

 

[irish-ranger]

You had to contact Gamstop and ask them to remove exclusion after period was over and they removed it from their end assume?

Did you try to login any of these sites during your SE period or before your SE was removed from Gamstop after you contacted them? Just trying to figure out that if you didn't try to login to these casinos when SE was on place, how they ever got information that you were as they only get that Yes or No reply when checking if you can login or register account.

Yes u have to inform GameStop u want the exclusion to end they then give u a 24 hour cool off followed by a phone interview and then another 24 hours for it to filter thru to the casinos apparently.
I did try and log in by the next morning all my accounts had been locked I don’t have a clue how the likes of William hill knew my exclusion had ended as I said my WH account was up and running without any contact from myself.