GAMSTOP has reflected on a first self exclusion drive that was undertaken alongside an array of professional football clubs and sports associations, including the Professional Players Federation and the Professional Cricket Association.
The social media activation was organised in a bid to highlight the value of self-exclusion for anyone struggling with their gambling, with the free national online self-exclusion service aiming to harness the power and reach of football clubs’ owned channels.
Under the hashtag #TakeBackControl2022, GAMSTOP, alongside their partners and supporters, reached a total audience of 2.6m through their social media campaign on Thursday 15 September.
The full list of teams supporting the drive include Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers, Preston North End, Southend , Luton Town, AFC Mansfield, Sutton United, Walsall FC, Oldham Athletic, Dagenham & Redbridge, Swindon Town FC, as well as PPF, PCA and Professional Darts Players Association.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, noted: “We are very grateful to all our partners who took part with us on social media to support the campaign, using the #TakeBackControl2022 hashtag.
“By sharing information about GAMSTOP with their followers they have helped us to educate new audiences about self-exclusion and where people can get help if they need it”.
More than 315,000 people have registered with GAMSTOP since its inception, which excludes them from all licensed UK sites.
Furthermore, it is noted that “big sporting events have traditionally led to a spike in registrations and,” therefore ahead of the fast approaching football World Cup in Qatar, GAMSTOP is aiming to raise awareness of the service amongst supporters who might require added protection.
