Crystal Palace has become the first Premier League club to roll-out a partnership with the UK’s free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, Gamstop.
This will see the club share information about the Gamstop service across the club’s social channels, including the women’s team, with advertising collateral at its Selhurst Park home to also be included.
Furthermore, Gamstop will provide free training to explain how the service can help vulnerable people within the local community.
Crystal Palace asserts that it is “committed to encouraging its supporters to gamble safely,” with this collaboration following the outfit linking-up with GambleAware in 2018 to produce advertisements and promotion material at Selhurst Park to raise awareness of the risks of gambling.
Steve Parish, chairman of Crystal Palace, said: “We are delighted to be helping to raise awareness of this important service. Whilst most people who gamble on football do so to enhance their enjoyment of the sport, Gamstop gives anyone experiencing problems with their gambling a chance to regain control”.
Anyone worried about their gambling can visit the Gamstop website to exclude themselves from all licensed online gambling sites in the UK, for an initial period of six months, one year, or five years.
Users are also encouraged to seek professional help and support from treatment providers and to use Gamstop alongside other tools, such as blocking software to prevent them accessing gambling sites and bank blocking.
More than 195,000 people from across the UK are currently registered with the scheme, with monthly sign-ups said to be “significantly higher” in 2021 due to an increased uptake during lockdown.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop, added: “Crystal Palace’s support will be hugely beneficial in ensuring that people who could benefit from using Gamstop are aware of the scheme.
“The pandemic has led to increased sign-ups and we are trying to ensure that anybody who is struggling with their gambling, or has a loved one experiencing problems, knows where they can access support.
“The support of Crystal Palace will help us extend our reach and we hope that other Premier League and women’s clubs will follow their example.”
