It has been reported that the gambling industry only needs 2% of gamblers to make 83% of its profits. Considering that severe problem gambling affects 0.7% of the whole UK population, and debt is the main source of income for this group to feed the habit, there is an urgent need to put a fence (or a wall with barbed wire) between the susceptible ones and gambling.
The prevalence of online platforms in our everyday life has been critical for the upscaling problem gambling figures. With no place to rest from the enticing of the flutter, many at-risk gamblers registered at sites that are not using Gamstop are literally sleeping with the enemy. For 240,000 problem gamblers in the UK, self-exclusion is not an option but a necessity.
Limited Options for an Endless Problem
Before a solid self-exclusion scheme came to fruition, problem gamblers didn’t have much choice, especially in a society that sees gambling as normal. While they could refrain themselves from entering a betting shop, the races, or even unplugging their television, (because of the ads), once they check their phone or email, there was another betting offer, a free bet, and many other eye candies that pushed people to take a flutter, just like an alcoholic takes another sip of mouthwash.
Furthermore, those willing to self-exclude themselves from gambling (a mandatory condition for the operator since 2006) are boarded by an expert team of promoters to seek other options rather than leaving the site. With an increased status with the operator, problem gamblers reinforce their commitment to go a step further in their condition.
The Nature of the Game
It might seem that the industry only looks to profit from their customers’ losses, (which it does), but that’s how gambling works: to win big, everyone must lose. In the UK, gambling is socially accepted and many are willing to pay for the excitement, just like a ticket for a rollercoaster ride.
What becomes unnatural is the way that gambling has invaded people’s spaces, thanks to online gambling and the willingness of a handful of white-collar operators to exploit every possible opportunity to make customers never leave the ride.
One Step to Gamstop Exclusion
In 2018, the UK Gambling Commission launched Gamstop, a self-exclusion scheme that allowed people to register and get (24 hours later) out of the reach of online gambling.
To increase the effectiveness of Gamstop, the Commission established the mandatory condition for all its current licensed operators and the most reputable casinos outside Gamstop to comply with the scheme, and in record time they should provide an infrastructural framework to maintain customers, old and new, from accessing their services. Operators were also entitled to upkeep the service with additional fees.
Being that the UK is one of the most profitable gambling markets in the world, the deal was closed without a blink.
Initial Pitfalls
Like any new system with this type of coverage, there were initial fails. The most common issue was customers being able to create (and fund) accounts only by misspelling their name or changing their residential or email address; simple but critical data that compromises the effectiveness of the scheme.
The scheme also extends its reach to the brick-and-mortar realm. Yet the promise wasn’t fully accomplished and still many weren’t forbidden from getting their gambling fix. Fortunately, many of these related issues were corrected in the run. But on the other hand, other strings were needing a tie-up.
Another Site
While Gamstop does prevent access to players to their accounts on online casino websites during their cool-off period, they still received advertisement emails from their former leisure providers. This required customers to unsubscribe from all bulletins and social media related to gambling.
An annoyed customer complied with it. But the issue took a darker turn when several customers were being offered promotional packages from unlicensed operators. A further investigation revealed that some rogue operators have alternative sites specifically designed to target their self-excluded customers.
While the punishing and cleansing of the gambling ecosystem were done, there are still others operators able to keep mocking the strict controls from the Commission. with huge amounts of money on the line. Anything can be expected from unlawful operators willing to take a piece of the pie.
Future of Gamstop Scheme
Gamstop might not seem perfect at first glance, but it is a continuous effort to protect vulnerable people from the harms of problem gambling. Regardless of the initial outcome, it is in the continuous polishing that even the dullest stone finally shines, and Gamstop has never been so bright.
Nowadays, Gamstop comes with a bigger recognition thanks to joining forces with API integration, where customers can access resources (at no cost) to help them achieve a successful recovery and operators that go beyond the bare minimum to provide a safer environment for customers.
Of course, there are still security breaches that need to be covered, but problem gambling recovery is not achieved by only signing to an exclusion scheme. It is a commitment that demands sheer will and the honest interest in making a positive change with the first step; not putting away gambling from your life, but rather getting closer and accepting yourself.
