GAMSTOP has announced that over 500,000 individuals have registered for its self-exclusion service since its inception in 2018, with a noticeable trend of younger users signing up.
The UK-based service enables users to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling websites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission for periods ranging from six months to five years.
As of now, more than 440,000 users remain actively excluded, with half opting for the longest exclusion period. April 2024 marked the highest monthly sign-up rate, with 8,686 new users joining the service.
GAMSTOP relies on data from the UKGC’s latest research to shape its outreach and engagement efforts.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, commented: “We have come a very long way since our launch in April 2018 and GAMSTOP is now widely recognised as an important tool to help vulnerable consumers take a break from their gambling.
“We are proud to have been able to help hundreds of thousands of people to take back control of their lives through self-exclusion and we hope to help many more in the years to come.”
The report also revealed that the average age of those self-excluding is decreasing, with 50% of new users in the first half of 2024 falling between the ages of 16 and 35. Registrations among individuals aged 16-24 have risen by 12%.
In September, GAMSTOP will release a second independent evaluation of the service, based on feedback from over 4,650 users surveyed by Ipsos. A preview of the survey indicated that 78% of respondents felt GAMSTOP met their expectations, with 75% reporting an improved sense of control over their gambling habits.
Palmer noted: “It is right that we regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the service through independent research and we will shortly be announcing the results of a comprehensive listening exercise conducted by Ipsos, who have surveyed thousands of GAMSTOP’s users.”
The GAMSTOP report precedes the third annual Self-Exclusion Day on September 12, where football clubs across the UK will promote the service to fans through stadium messages during Premier League matches on 7-8 September, as well as digital content on partner clubs’ social media platforms.
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