Are you concerned about GamStop?

[Scampi]

The new national self-exclusion process for the UK is called GamStop (https://www.gamstop.co.uk/). It's currently in a test phase, but by the end of the year all UK online casinos will be required to sign-up.
Once a player self-excludes using GamStop, they will be excluded from every UK online casino for up to 5 years.

Self-exclusion is good, but I can see players who hit a bad run at one casino blocking themselves from every casino.

Not every casino has signed up to it yet, but it will be compulsory by the end of the year. This is to coincide with restrictions on TV advertising and welfare checks to ensure players can afford to gamble as much as they may be doing. It is part of the wider reaching clampdown which may increase the age of play on the National Lottery from 16+ to 18+, and also includes the reduction in stake on fixed odds betting terminals from the current maximum of £100, down to £2.

[Moonlight Cat]

Once a player self-excludes using GamStop, they will be excluded from every UK online casino for up to 5 years.

One problem. Internet don't have border. Any self-excluded player may make deposit
in online casino/sportsbook that accept UK players but don't work under UK jurisdiction.

And i tell you more. Within next several years UK will get are very big gambling blackmarket. For example i know some blackmarket online casinos/sportsbook who work on UK market.

I will not say many words. Here we all are professional in aff.business. Here is what black market casinos/sportsbook give to affiliates.


RevShare: 35%-55%
Active/New Players Quota: None
Admin Fee: ~ 0
Payment: Every week.
Anonymous Aff.Account: Yes

And one more. Many of this black market programs more honest with affiliates than programs with licenses/regulations and e.t.c.
And very friendly to small affiliates.

[Triple7]

The good thing is that the impact for a player is way bigger. Now players exclude themself after a bad run and deposit at the next casino. If excluding yourself means that you will be excluded at every casino, people will think twice before they do so.

The bad thing is that within a year, you will have a decent amount of people playing a lot, having themself excluded. For sure that affects your revenue if you're promoting legal UK casinos.

A part of them will play at unlicensed brands.

[Sherlock]

[Progger]

I bet all UK Affs, have to place a "knock out" link under every ad/post/offer ?

[Trickster]

Ok, my input on this from being a player who has recently signed up to GamStop!

Why did I do it? Not because I have a gambling problem as such as I do enjoy playing online slots, but after a long run of some very good luck and big wins, I opted to take a break and enjoy my freedom from debt and having some money in the bank! I knew the luck wouldn't continue, so took the decision to take a break and eliminate the temptation to increase stakes.

Did signing up to GamStop work? Quite simply, No! I was still able to log in and play at establishments who were listed as participating, but still allowed me to deposit, play and lose. I asked their online support if this was ok, to which they promptly suspended my accounts and blocked access to my cash, etc. One casino took it upon themselves to SE me for 5 years, despite my request being only for 6 months! I also asked the question that if I had won, would they have honoured the withdrawal or simply state that I was SE and confiscate winnings then refund deposits? They declined to give a suitable answer on this. I also asked how my account was still open, but they pointed the finger at GamStop processes saying that they returned results saying I was ok to play, despite several days/weeks had passed after my successful application to GamStop. All my details had remained the same, but clearly an issue here.

What if I get the urge to enjoy slots again within the 6 month SE period at GamStop? Well, I know of one reputable casino who does not participate at GamStop. I have a low deposit limit here and have some low rolling spins once a week there. The first week I made a substantial withdrawal as well! If all else fails, I know I could open accounts at some RTG casinos who accept UK players but do not have a UKGC licence. I will not go down this avenue though!

Personally I think it is a great idea, but not too happy at being labelled a problem gambler by using this facility. I signed up to take a break, re-evaluate my game play and stop the spam e-mails. Surely this is the result of being responsible? As mentioned before, it does seem like the problem gamblers could be scooped up by unlicensed casinos or sites of dubious ethics. Anyway, it is a step in the right direction, but still a bit haphazard in the initial stages.

[Sherlock]

Excerpt: you are gambling for years with debt in your bank (= you are not gambling with your money) and consider yourself "not having a gambling problem".

I am saying upfront: this is my last post in this thread.

[Trickster]

I never said debt was from gambling or that I was using credit cards to gamble? Are you saying anyone with a mortgage or bank loan shouldn't gamble?

Further to a few wins early last year, we used that money as a deposit on a holiday home, hence obtaining credit to pay the balance. In the last year I have been lucky enough to pay off the £20k balance (aka 'debt') and just bought a new car just a matter of days ago, hence now being debt free. It just seemed a suitable time to take a break given the circumstances.

Hope that clarifies the position!

Excerpt: you are gambling for years with debt in your bank (= you are not gambling with your money) and consider yourself "not having a gambling problem".

I am saying upfront: this is my last post in this thread.

[Triple7]

A mortgage usually is backed with a property that has value. But bank loans and credits. I think it's better to first pay off not-necessairy loans and credits before you spend money in things like gambling, strip bars, holidays, etc.

[allaboutthebets]

People will always find a way to gamble if they want to. I've got friends who have self excluded then play with parents or other friends details.

[Fortune Palace]

I really don't want to make money from anyone with a genuine gambling addiction. Informed, intelligent punters who are playing at casinos with the understanding that it's a form of entertainment like any other can make responsible choices. I welcome the fact that those with psychological problems can remove themselves from the market in the short to long term.

[Scampi]

Did signing up to GamStop work? Quite simply, No! I was still able to log in and play at establishments who were listed as participating

I think it's in a test phase at the moment, which is why it hasn't been fully rolled out.

I bet all UK Affs, have to place a "knock out" link under every ad/post/offer ?

I think you might be right. Something like 33% of an ad will have to be gamebleaware or similar.

[Renee]

Self-exclusion is good, but I can see players who hit a bad run at one casino blocking themselves from every casino.

The good thing is that the impact for a player is way bigger. Now players exclude themself after a bad run and deposit at the next casino. If excluding yourself means that you will be excluded at every casino, people will think twice before they do so.

With the current self exclusion measures that had to be implemented inside the casino software, players are already doing this, then whinging when they are excluded from all casinos in the group and being told there is literally no way for us to reverse it. I can only see it becoming worse with gamstop, and problem gamblers will simply turn to non licenced casinos.

If that's happening now, I doubt anyone will think twice before registering.

The bad thing is that within a year, you will have a decent amount of people playing a lot, having themself excluded. For sure that affects your revenue if you're promoting legal UK casinos.

Since SE was put inside the software, we are already seeing this. Would be amazing if players were educated more about the difference between self exclusion and taking a break.

[Moonlight Cat]

I really don't want to make money from anyone with a genuine gambling addiction.

In this case you must leave this buisness as quick as possible. Gambling buisness based on gambling addiction. Gambling addiction is the alpha and omega of this buisness.


This point of view, that gambling is only entertainment and we all (operators and affiliates) against gambling addiction from my point of view is pietism and double standarts.


if today all players will start play only for entertainment, tomorrow we all must find new job. Gambling addiction is main factor that do this buinsess so profitable.

[Moonlight Cat]

countries like UK and Germany will hit them hard.

What UK and Germany may do, if black operators located somebody in Asia, Syberia or Africa?

[Trickster]

Bit of an update to this old thread.

My exclusion finished at end of October, well, it should have done but you have to apply to Gamstop for it to be lifted, so in theory if you asked for a 6 month exclusion, it is actually indefinitely until you jump through hoops for Gamstop.

Back in November I contacted Gamstop to remove the exclusion. They declined saying they need a picture of me holding my driving licence - something I find bizarre and humiliating, so didn't pursue this. Skip forward a couple of months and I e-mail them again (from the registered e-mail address) saying I don't have photo ID to hold and send in - they reply asking me to phone up and quote a security number to get the exclusion lifted.

So, yesterday I phone up (from the registered phone number they have) and a jumped up little **** answers the phone. I go through all the security questions, explain the situation, but no, he doesn't want to remove the exclusion as I have not/cannot send in photo ID which I am holding, despite what had already been agreed. I asked why and does he suspect my call is fraudulent, he responds by saying my phone could have been stolen and that it could be my father, mother or son calling. WTF?!?!?! I asked given his suspicion that the call was fraudulent, will he be reporting it to a fraud department. Yes he is!! I eagerly await progress on this.

I am truly disgusted by how Gamstop is operating. They are now in breach of the latest GDPR rules by holding information about me which is out of date and against my wishes. I have given them written instructions to remove my data, but they have refused.

This independent company has been given too much authority and I am not impressed at how they are dealing with my personal details and requesting more photographic ID. I work at a school and cannot send in my ID for obvious reasons. Who exactly is overseeing them as a regulatory body?

Not impressed.

[Strider1973]

If you can yourself get blocked for 6 months without photo ID, then it should be possible to get unblocked without photo ID, too. At least that's how I would handle it.

[Trickster]

If you can yourself get blocked for 6 months without photo ID, then it should be possible to get unblocked without photo ID, too. At least that's how I would handle it.

You would have thought so, but think the original set up of the exclusion involved some kind of credit file search/authentication.

I only joined it to take a 6 month break after a big win and to stop the spam e-mails. Given all the grief with Gamstop, source of wealth forms, ID, self exclusion issues leading to winnings being confiscated, etc, it is hardly an enjoyment any more so think I am best out of it and stick with a flutter down the amusements with hard cash and no arguments!! I feel sorry for the honourable casino establishments trying to run a business with all this aggro.

[willterry]

Agree with this meme, man! And I also want to say that this Gamstop won't change anything cause people will easily go landbased casinos or join Curacao licensed operators...

The only thing that can help these guys are softwares that block access to all casino sites like Betblocker or Gamban. Cause I've heard a lot of stories when people just change some address details and they're allowed to play again. How to withdraw then? It's another story

[Former Member 14]

If someone with a gambling problem wants to gamble, they'll find a way to do just that. Gamstop, blocking software or any other means is useless UNLESS the person wants to completely STOP gambling. If that's the case, then I'm sure they'd take steps to ensure they don't have access to cash.

I've heard a lot of stories when people just change some address details and they're allowed to play again. How to withdraw then? It's another story

If someone is a compulsive gambler, they blow all their cash, and winnings, so withdrawing isn't a concern. Not playing in the 1'st place is the issue.

As GA says: 1 bet is too many, and 1,000 isn't enough!