Gamstop punter self-exclusion registrations reach 38,000 in first six months

Gamstop, the self-exclusion scheme for punters who are trying to regain control over compulsive gambling tendencies, has announced it has received more than 38,000 registrations since it went live in April this year.

The scheme allows customers to self-exclude from online gambling with all participating companies by means of a single registration on the Gamstop website. It is free of charge to the user and provides the option to exclude oneself for six months, one year or five years.

Most British-based gambling companies are now fully integrated with the scheme.

The Gamstop site also offers signposting to a range of further help, support and advice, including links to GamCare and the National Debtline.

The 38,000 registrations represents a significant uptake for the service considering it has not yet been formal launched and has not been widely publicised.

The organisation recently appointed Jenny Watson CBE as its first chair. Watson was previously head of the Electoral Commission.

Fiona Palmer, Gamstop's CEO, said: “We're very pleased with the response so far as the initial uptake proves there is clearly a need for this scheme. We will soon be embarking on our first phase of evaluation which will help shape future improvements and enhancements to the service.”

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