GAMSTOP has asserted that self-exclusion remains “an increasingly important tool” for those looking to remove themselves from online gambling, after reports that registrations “remained high” throughout the year.
The free national scheme for self-exclusion has reported a 28 per cent year-on-year increase in registrations during 2021, with a “significant spike” of 25 per cent YoY reported through the first six months of the year.
The group also reports a 32 per cent increase from July to December 2021, which took the total number of registrants to more than 257,000 by the turn of the year.
It is also reported that “the number of women signing up to GAMSTOP continues to grow,” with that figure now standing at 75,000 of its total and is expected to exceed 100,000 by the end of the year.
Men continue to account for 70 per cent of registrants and women 30 per cent, with 43 per cent found to be aged between 25–34.
Of the 257,000 people to have registered with GAMSTOP, the majority choose to keep their exclusion in place, with more than 235,000 currently actively excluded from online gambling.
Furthermore, a slight shift in the length of exclusion that people are putting in place has also been reported, with 50 per cent of registrants in 2021 selecting the maximum period of five years, with 24 per cent opting for one year, and 26 per cent at six months.
These figures differ from the all-time split, where 55 per cent have selected five years and 22 per cent at six months.
Fiona Palmer, GAMSTOP CEO, said: “Understanding the profile of GAMSTOP registrants is crucial if we are to continue to ensure that we reach anybody who the GAMSOTP service can help.
“Registrations have remained high throughout 2021. While it is hard to gauge how associated this is to the pandemic, what is clear is that self-exclusion is an increasingly important tool for those who wish to remove the temptation of online gambling.
“We are very lucky to have many committed partners who work hard to raise awareness of the GAMSTOP service, and I want to place on record our thanks to all of them.
“We will continue to work hard to ensure that people have access to the tools that are essential to their recovery.”
The GAMSTOP annual review has been launched in a bid to offer deeper insight into trends on its platform, as well as wide gambling behaviours across the UK.
