UK Gamstop Registrations Reach Record High in 2023

Gamstop, the renowned self-exclusion program for gamblers in the United Kingdom, has reported a staggering 9.5% year-on-year increase in new registrations for the year 2023. According to the data released on 23rd January 2024 by Robert Fletcher, more than 92,000 players decided to take the responsible step of signing up with Gamstop during the 12-month period ending on 31st December. This impressive figure shatters the previous record of 84,000 registrations set in 2022.

Among those who registered, a significant 55% chose to exclude themselves from gambling for a substantial five-year duration, which is the longest available option through Gamstop. Players also had the choice of opting for shorter exclusion periods, including six months and one year.

Apart from the exceptional annual statistics, Gamstop also achieved a new monthly high in May, with a total of 8,591 sign-ups during that month alone.

The data indicates a notable increase in younger individuals embracing responsible gambling practices. In the second half of the year, there was a remarkable 31% year-on-year surge in registrations among people aged 16-24. This age group accounted for 21% of new registrations in the last six months of the year, up from 17% in the previous year.

Since its launch in April 2018, Gamstop has garnered registrations from a total of 433,357 consumers. Gamstop CEO Fiona Palmer emphasized the significance of self-exclusion, stating, “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.”

Fiona Palmer also highlighted the need to raise awareness, especially among young adults, about the Gamstop service. Efforts will be made in 2024 to reach out to this age group, collaborating with organizations and football clubs to spread the word.

Despite the positive growth in Gamstop registrations, there are challenges posed by illegal operators. Some unlicensed gambling sites actively market themselves as not being affiliated with Gamstop, enabling registered players to continue gambling. This poses a risk to at-risk players, who may turn to these unmonitored and potentially hazardous operators. Yield Sec, a watchdog organization, has detected millions of "not on Gamstop" Google search results, indicating a concerning trend of players seeking alternatives to self-exclusion.

As the popularity of Gamstop continues to rise, addressing these challenges and promoting responsible gambling remain paramount in the industry's efforts to protect vulnerable players.