The UK boasts a well-developed gambling infrastructure, providing risk seekers with multiple opportunities. The broad accessibility of non-GamStop casinos and UK sports sites from NonGamStopBetting.org significantly increases user engagement, as players don’t have to travel to land-based gaming establishments; instead, it’s easy to enjoy top bestsellers from the comfort of their homes. On the other hand, such availability and popularity lead to gambling-related harms.
According to statistics, up to 2.7% of the entire UK population is targeted by addiction, which is a severe disorder requiring immediate intervention and long-lasting treatment. The figures are alarming: they indicate that approximately 1.4 million British residents suffer from compulsive gambling. This challenge should be addressed immediately, and multiple measures can be implemented.
National Self-Exclusion (GamStop)
The UKGC, the country’s main gambling regulatory authority, imposes strict requirements on its licensees. They are primarily about guaranteeing transparency in online casinos and decreasing the rate of compulsive disorders. Therefore, every platform operating under the control of the UK Gambling Commission is covered by GamStop self-exclusion. This program restricts access to gaming and betting platforms for a period chosen by a problem player (from six months to five years).
Suspending or cancelling the program after launching it on user accounts is impossible. So, many gamblers prefer to avoid self-exclusion and take advantage of online casinos not on Gamstop that are reviewed by sites such as nongamstop CasinoGap.org, because it’s a suitable alternative for those who wouldn’t like to be suddenly blocked and restricted from their favourite platforms. Moreover, these gaming establishments offer more flexibility in terms of bonuses, payment systems, and withdrawal limits. On the other hand, players should maintain their budgets and time spent in online casinos to stick to responsible gambling principles and avoid potential problems.
Gambling Blockers
While GamStop is mandatory for all UKGC-licensed platforms, casinos operating in other jurisdictions are not susceptible to this requirement. Therefore, players can enjoy numerous gaming websites with no restrictions. Developing self-control and sticking to budget limits are essential for a positive experience and avoiding potential harm. However, not everyone can follow these rules.
In this case, compulsive players can take advantage of gambling blockers. Their work is similar to that of GamStop, and the difference is that users can only join them voluntarily. Gamban is one of the most popular self-exclusion software, allowing users to limit access to thousands of gaming and betting websites. The service has a free version, so everyone can join the program and get qualified support and therapy after being self-excluded.
BetBlocker is another common UK-based software that restricts access to over 77,000 websites. The program aims to support users when willpower is not enough, so consider it for coping with gambling-related problems. BetBlocker can be installed on all devices, including iOS and Android smartphones, significantly increasing its efficiency.
Internal Self-Exclusion
Many online casinos offer special self-exclusion features. For instance, users can easily reach out to the casino's customer support to request a temporary suspension of access to their account. Internal responsible gambling tools include loos limits, deposit limits, cooling-off period, etc. These tools are designed to promote responsible gambling behavior and provide players with additional control over their gaming experience. Additionally, some platforms may offer features like self-assessment tests and session reminders to support responsible gaming practices further.
Transaction Blockers
The inability to limit their expenses and stick to budget limits is among the primary issues triggering gambling problems development. Therefore, there was a high need for appropriate tools limiting the amount of cash a user can transfer on the casino sites. Gambling platforms place limitations concerning deposit and withdrawal maximums, but these sums are often enough for players to spend all their money or even appear in debt.
Monzo is the most popular tool used for blocking gambling transactions made from the chosen account. Most banks already accept this feature, so players can easily and harmlessly avoid depositing in online casinos. It’s enough to apply for this program and wait for the bank confirmation; after that, users will be unable to proceed with top-ups. They can still reach online casinos and play in a demo mode, which lowers the risk of addiction and other gambling-related problems.
Starling Bank has also launched a similar initiative in collaboration with GambleAware. The financial institution management understands the importance of preventing gambling disorders, so it allows cardholders to ban casino payments in the app. In addition, compulsive players are recommended to contact the National Gambling Helpline to get further guidance on future therapy.
The Final Word
Gambling addiction is the primary challenge the industry now faces, so all market players must stick to the responsible approach to minimize possible harm. Compulsive players can take advantage of GamStop, covering all UK-based websites. On the other hand, those desiring to avoid this tool can use alternative programs. Transaction blockers are the latest innovation, restricting the possibility of proceeding with casino deposits and engaging in real money gambling. Using these tools, players can still enjoy their favourite slots and games but not risk appearing in debt and suffering from compulsive behaviours.
