Must Read PR: Gamstop uses 5th annual Self-Exclusion Day to target Football Fans

[Webzcas]

17th September 2026: Clubs from all divisions in the English Football League backed Gamstop’s fifth annual Self-Exclusion Day campaign, helping raise awareness of self-exclusion among supporters across the UK.

Established in 2022, Self-Exclusion Day aims to raise awareness of Gamstop’s free self-exclusion service and encourages people concerned about their gambling to consider taking a break.

This year's campaign saw clubs share content across Instagram and X to a combined audience of more than 1.7 million followers, generating 412 engagements across 16 posts.

The participating clubs were AFC Wimbledon; Bolton Wanderers; Crewe Alexandra; Plymouth Argyle; Port Vale; Queens Park Rangers; The New Saints; New Saints Women; Tranmere Rovers; and Walsall.

Gamstop data published to coincide with Self-Exclusion Day reveals the parts of the UK with the highest rates of self-exclusion registrations, providing a snapshot of where demand for gambling support is strongest.

The ten areas with the highest proportion of Gamstop registrations are:

Rank	Area	Gamstop registration rate	Local football club(s)
1	Kingston upon Hull	2.8%	Hull City
2	North East Lincolnshire	2.5%	Grimsby Town
3	Blackpool	2.4%	Blackpool / Fleetwood Town
4	Hartlepool	2.3%	Hartlepool United
5	Middlesbrough	2.1%	Middlesbrough
6	Derry City and Strabane	2.1%	Derry City
7	Doncaster	2%	Doncaster Rovers
8	Redcar and Cleveland	2%	Middlesbrough
9	Knowsley	2%	Liverpool / Everton
10	South Tyneside	1.9%	Sunderland / Newcastle United

Gamstop data also sheds light on how major football tournaments can influence gambling-related behaviours. During this summer’s World Cup, registrations typically fell while England were playing, suggesting that people were less likely to take the decision to self-exclude during major matches.

However, this was regularly followed by an increase in registrations afterwards, with spikes particularly apparent on the next working day.

The same pattern has been identified around previous major international tournaments. Registrations tend to fall on the day of major fixtures and finals before increasing afterwards, with the effect particularly pronounced around England matches.

The findings reinforce the importance of raising awareness of self-exclusion within football communities, particularly during periods when fan engagement is at its highest.

Matt Burgiss, Head of External Affairs at Gamstop said:

Our regional data shows that people are turning to self-exclusion in communities right across the country. It is particularly interesting to see many areas with strong footballing identities towards the top of the table.

We know that football and gambling remain closely connected for many fans, and our World Cup data shows just how clearly major matches can influence when people decide to self-exclude. Registrations tend to fall when England are playing before rising again afterwards, when some people may be reflecting on their gambling and deciding that they need to make a change.

That is why the support of football clubs on Self-Exclusion Day is so important. By taking this message directly to supporters, clubs can help make people aware that self-exclusion is available if gambling is becoming difficult to control.