GAMSTOP reports spike in self-exclusion termination requests during Covid-19 lockdown
New data shows 800 users asked to be removed from self-exclusion scheme in week following lockdown
GAMSTOP has confirmed an increase in the number of individuals applying to end their self-exclusion period from UK gambling sites early during Covid-19 lockdown.
The UK national self-exclusion scheme provider revealed self-exclusion requests increased to approximately 400 per week in the fortnight following UK lockdown, falling to 350 a week in the period after.
GAMSTOP typically receives 1,000 requests a month from previously self-excluded players wishing to end their exclusion before their minimum term has expired.
Under current GAMSTOP guidelines, individuals can self-exclude for a minimum period of either six months, a year or five years. However, if the individual does not choose to remove themselves from the scheme, the block will automatically continue.
In the week before lockdown, GAMSTOP received 600 requests from users to be removed from the scheme after their exclusion period ended. This figure rose to 800 a week in the immediate aftermath of the implementation of the UK-wide measures.
However, by 27 April this figure had decreased to 700 player requests a week.
Industry stakeholders had previously pointed to a potential increase in gambling among vulnerable consumers during the lockdown, however since 23 March the number of new registrations has decreased to 6,700 from a pre-lockdown high of 7,000 a month.
GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer hailed the positive figures, citing the importance of the scheme in protecting consumers from gambling-related harm.
“Our data shows that GAMSTOP is continuing to provide important support to vulnerable consumers during lockdown and thousands of new users are choosing to exclude themselves from online gambling,” Palmer said.
In its own data, the Gambling Commission today revealed there had been no increase in problem gambling during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The UKGC has however issued new guidance to operators calling for increased interventions with players who gamble for more than an hour, as well as an end to reverse withdrawals and bonuses.