In February, registrations for the social-responsibility scheme increased by 21% compared to the previous year. Close to 6,500 individuals signed up during this month. January also saw a 14% increase, with over 7,000 new registrations. On February 22, Gamstop achieved its highest daily registration count, with 326 sign-ups within 24 hours.
Currently, 71% of Gamstop registrants are male, while 29% are female. The number of registered women has surpassed 55,000. The majority of registrants belong to the 18-34 age group, accounting for 59% of the total.
Unexpectedly, Gamstop reached its 200,000th user earlier than anticipated and coincided with the anniversary of a self-exclusion regulation change implemented last year. Since March 31, 2020, it has been mandatory for all online operators to be registered with Gamstop.
In January 2021, out of a possible 177,038 users, 49,328 attempted to gamble but were successfully blocked by the scheme. This demonstrates that self-exclusion on its own is not a complete solution. Gamstop advocates a multi-faceted approach to tackling problem gambling, including seeking treatment alongside self-exclusion.
To promote the use of various tools and support, Gamstop has initiated a collaboration with GamCare and Gamban for the TalkBanStop campaign. The National Gambling Helpline is a crucial resource for individuals seeking assistance. Fiona Palmer, the chief executive of Gamstop, expressed satisfaction that the scheme serves as an effective safety net for those struggling with gambling. Palmer emphasized the importance of raising awareness about self-exclusion schemes and blocking software to reach those who need help the most.
