Gamstop, the UK-based self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has announced a dramatic rise in registrations over the past year. The scheme revealed that it has seen a 9.5% increase in registrations year-on-year from 2022 to 2023.
In 2023, Gamstop was contacted by 92,000 consumers, all of whom were searching for help with problem gambling. May 2023 saw a particularly sharp increase in self-exclusions, with 8,591 people registering.
Gamstop was launched in April 2018, and has since helped 433,357 people in the fight against gambling addiction. The scheme prevents those who have joined from using any gambling websites and apps run by UK licensed casinos, for a chosen period of time.
The organization reports that a continued increase in registrations from teenagers and young adults is fueling the sustained rise in self-exclusions. Gamstop revealed that the 16-24 age group made up around 21% of the registrants between July and December 2023, up from 17% during the same period in 2022.
Gamstop has a strong presence at UK institutions such as university campuses. Its message is certainly being heard by younger demographics, amongst whom problem gambling is on the rise.
'A necessary lifeline'
When consumers sign up to Gamstop, they have the option to exclude themselves from gambling sites for a certain period of time. Of those who sign up, the majority (55%) are opting for a five-year exclusion, which is the longest time frame currently available from the scheme. Other options include shorter periods such as six-month exclusions, or year-long exclusions.
“We are continuing to see a year-on-year increase in the number of registrants, which shows the importance of self-exclusion for anyone struggling with their gambling, alongside other blocking tools and support," Gamstop CEO Fiona Palmer commented in a press release on the rise in self-exclusions over the past year.
"The prevalence of young adults among Gamstop's registrants shows the importance of educating younger consumers and we will continue our outreach to this age group in 2024, working collaboratively with like-minded organisations and harnessing the support of our football club partners.”
Harj Gahley, 38, had a gambling addiction for more than 10 years. He began struggling with gambling aged just 23. Gahley has been working with the gambling charity Red Card for two years as a non-executive director, and is currently registered with Gamstop.
“As the prevalence of online gambling has continued to grow in the UK, schemes such as Gamstop have become a necessary lifeline for thousands of vulnerable people," Gahley said. "For me, Gamstop has been a crucial part of my recovery knowing that I’m safely blocked from being able to gamble online.
"With the start of a new year comes the opportunity to implement changes in one’s life, I can’t recommend Gamstop highly enough for anyone, young or old, male or female, who might be suffering from gambling-related issues.”
