How Gamstop works: helping UK gamblers

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26 Jul How Gamstop works: helping UK gamblers

GamStop is a programme whose primary function is to protect UK gamblers from gambling addiction. The effectiveness of the platform is still debatable – it would seem to protect against compulsivity at all stages of online casino play, but players can benefit from other platforms, including bookies not on gamstop, as bookmakers in other countries accept users from the United Kingdom.

What is GamStop

The functionality provides step-by-step protection and assistance to UK players who have problems with online casino gambling addiction and can’t stop betting at bookmakers.

The service launched in 2018. Until 2020, registration of licensed UK operators was voluntary, but the situation subsequently got out of the hands of oversight services – the number of people with gambling addiction was rapidly increasing. GamStop is the platform of UKGC’s charity, The National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited. It aims to shut down access to online gambling services for vulnerable gamblers.

The scheme works according to a specific algorithm, each stage consisting of the collection and analysis of information from the casino operator and the player who has become aware of their problem. All owners of licensed UK online casinos must be registered with GamStop – this is a mandatory condition stipulated by the current legislation of the United Kingdom.

How it works

Gambling addiction poses a threat to the psyche and wellbeing of gamblers. Accordingly, any help will be useful and the most relevant is the support directly at the gaming resource. The principle of GamStop is built on the method of self-exclusion, which means that the user can choose to restrict or not to play with the help of this service. There are two limiting functions – operator’s help and self-action of the player.

Operator assistance

As stated above, all online casino owners licensed to operate in the UK must be registered with GamStop. Not only gaming services, but also betting shops fall under the programme. Operators take the following actions:

• register with the UKGC;
• pay for the service;
• gain access to personal information of registered users;
• make GamStop available to all players on their official website;
• collect and analyse the data for addiction.

It is worth noting that the verdict on a player’s vulnerability is made by a system that checks the information from the operator and the victim.

Player actions

Users can familiarize themselves with the program’s functionality on the homepage of the official website of the online gaming resource. To get help and support, it is necessary to register and provide personal information – name, surname, passport data and other data that the system will ask for in the appropriate dialog box. The player can then ask for support, get advice or set up a self-exclusion.

Setting up GamStop functions for gamblers is as follows:

automatic blocking of access to the online casino after 6 months, 1 year or 5 years;you can set restrictions for specific games, resources or betting shops.

In other words, you need to identify the problem yourself and take steps to rectify it – this is where both the advantages and disadvantages of the programme lie. The registration process is free for players.

Final analysis

The final verdict is made by the program. Its algorithm involves a step-by-step analysis of the information collected by the operator and provided by the players. Accordingly, the level of dependency and the decision to fully or partially block the player can be made by the system, limiting the vulnerable user from the game in various ways.

Pros and cons of GamStop for players

Clearly, the programme is useful and can really help a certain number of UK gamblers in getting rid of uncontrollable gambling cravings.

Pros:

• Providing advice and support;
• free service;
• self-exclusion feature;
• convenient and useful settings with a choice of lockout timer;
• you can choose restrictions for specific games or casino listings.

There are also minuses. Unlicensed and GamStop casinos are available for UK players. It is also possible to play on resources in other countries that accept UK users. The main disadvantage is that there are various options for circumventing the bans. For example, registering a new account with someone you know. The minimum period for which you can set the self-exclusion timer is 6 months. This is too long for a player who spends all his money on bets and has ever increasing debts.

GamStop is useful and can really help the addicted gambler. But it is important to consider its features, which include flaws that allow for workarounds. If the player has fully recognised the problem and wants to get rid of the gambling addiction, GamStop’s features will be relevant.