Paddy Power to bring in electronic self-exclusion scheme for betting shops

Paddy Power have launched a new electronic self-exclusion process for their betting shop estate which will replace the current paper-based system.

The in-shop app, which stores the customer's image and contact information and automatically distributes their profile to up to ten Paddy Power shops in their area, makes the self-exclusion status of the customer instant.

The new process will be available in all UK Paddy Power shops by June 2018 and will also be launched across all Paddy Power shops in Ireland later in the year.

The company's managing director of retail David Newton said: "Providing quick support for customers who want to self-exclude is a key element of our responsible gambling agenda.

"We believe that this new process will make self-exclusion easier and quicker for our customers and hope that other retail betting-operators join us in providing this service.”

The product, which was trialled in Kent with all betting operators in the area taking part, has been developed by Responsible Gambling Consultancy Ltd so that any betting operator can sign up to use the system.

The multi-operator self-exclusion scheme (Moses) for betting shop customers currently in place was launched in March 2016.

Although there has been criticism of its effectiveness, an independent review of the scheme last year found 83 per cent of participants agreed it had been effective in reducing or stopping their gambling activity, while 71 per cent said they had not attempted to use their nominated betting shops since signing up.

An online self-exclusion scheme Gamstop is also due to be launched this year.

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