Independent report finds GAMSTOP an “effective tool” for most users 

More than three-quarters of GAMSTOP users have reported that they feel safer and in greater control of their gambling since signing up with the online self-exclusion tool. 

An independent evaluation of the service has determined that 78% of GAMSTOP users believe it has delivered the results that they had hoped for, while as many as 80% would recommend GAMSTOP to others. 

As part of the research, conducted by market research firm Ipsos, more than 4,650 GAMSTOP users were surveyed, of which 73% said they were satisfied with the service, though that figure rose to 85% among those who no longer gamble. 

Since registering, three out of four GAMSTOP users said they feel more in control when it comes to gambling. 

Earlier this month, GAMSTOP hit 500,000 registrations since its inception in 2018. More than 440,000 people are currently self-excluding via the service, while April of this year saw the highest number of registrations in a single month (8,686) since the platform’s launch.  

The Ipsos report has also uncovered the most common reason for registering with GAMSTOP, with 55% reporting that it was to stop gambling altogether.

More than half (55%) said they were looking to regain control of their life, and 51% said it was about spending less money on gambling. 

Of those surveyed, 75% no longer participate in online gambling, and 48% have stopped gambling altogether. Anyone who signs up to GAMSTOP is able to self-exclude for six months, one year or five years, with those who opt for five years more likely to eventually stop gambling entirely according to those behind the service.

Many of the respondents conceded that GAMSTOP does not prevent the urge to gamble, yet they said it is an effective preventative option. 

One user with a five-year exclusion period in place told researchers: “GAMSTOP literally did what it said on the tin, it stopped me from being able to register with gambling websites, which was the major issue.”  

More than seven out of 10 (72%) of GAMSTOP users reported feeling safer from the harmful effects of gambling and have also recorded a notable improvement in both mental and physical health because of the financial burden being eased. 

The Ipsos report has made three standout recommendations for those overseeing GAMSTOP’s operations, including offering the option of a longer or lifetime exclusion period, communicating more frequently with users once the minimum exclusion period has concluded and continuing to deploy social media adverts to raise awareness aimed at a younger audience. 

GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer reflected on the report’s findings as she explained: “We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the service through comprehensive independent research, and it is gratifying to know that most of our users feel GAMSTOP has helped them significantly reduce gambling-related harm. 

“Six out of 10 users who were surveyed said they rely on GAMSTOP as their sole means of support, and we are aware of the responsibility that this brings with it.

“We will study the recommendations in detail, including the suggestion of extending self-exclusion periods, although exclusion periods do already continue automatically for seven years unless a user asks for it be lifted.” 

Ipsos’ report also encouraged the government, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to do more to thwart black market activity via stronger regulation and restricting its promotion on social media. 

Several GAMSTOP users reported that they had identified a number of unlicensed operators through targeted advertising, some of which claimed to be “not on GAMSTOP”. 

While the report was largely positive in its assessment of GAMSTOP, it did outline that some users had engaged with black market gambling since registering with the service and suggested stricter advertising regulation would help users in their respective recovery journey. 

The report concluded: “The evaluation has established that GAMSTOP is an effective tool for reducing gambling-related harm for individuals seeking to exclude themselves from online gambling operators. 

“The service provided is widely considered both satisfactory and impactful. This is most significant for individuals with a sustained commitment to reducing their gambling behaviours, seeking a lifestyle change rather than a break.” 

“Our evaluation found that satisfaction with GAMSTOP is high for the majority of people who use the service. This includes registration and the overall experience of having the self-exclusion in place. The majority of people also found that GAMSTOP delivered against their expectations and that they would recommend it to others.”