Around 8% of Gamstop users have bet with unlicensed operators, according to an independent evaluation conducted by the UK self-exclusion service provider.

A challenge the charity has found itself having to address is the prevalence of black market websites and affiliate networks, with it having worked with the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to report illegal operators and remove promotional content.

Many of these websites deliberately market themselves as ‘non-Gamstop casinos’ or something similar, directly targeting the 600,000 people registered with Gamstop with an unlicensed gambling product. Gamstop states that around 8% of its users had used unlicensed operators.

As it stands, the prevalence of problem gambling in the UK – based on Commission statistics from the Gambling Survey for Great Britain – stands at 0.2%, with a further 1.2% of people at risk of ‘moderate harm’ according to the regulator.

Gamstop continues to see rising levels of engagement with its online self-exclusion service, however, with over 600,000 now registered to the system. 

Upon taking leadership of the group, its new Chair, Chris Pond, has earmarked strengthening operational integration between the online GAMSTOP system and the betting shop-based MOSES system.

New leadership for a new era

Gamstop has asserted that the group has the chance to seize new opportunities in the country’s changing regulatory landscape.

Pond has officially taken over as Gamstop Chair from Jenny Watson CBE, who had served in the role for seven years. He assumes the role as the UK’s gambling charity sector enters a new era following the 2005 Gambling Act review.

A two-and-a-half-year process, the Gambling Act review concluded in April 2023 with a White Paper which, among other key measures, recommended the introduction of a statutory levy for gambling harm.

This will see operators make a mandatory yearly contribution to support research, education and treatment (RET), with the NHS taking over from GambleAware as the lead commissioner for charitable projects.

Pond remarked: “The Gamstop Group can play a key role in providing data and insights to inform research and policy and collaborating on prevention initiatives that align with national priorities. 

“This is a moment to deepen our impact and reinforce our commitment to public protection, ensuring self-exclusion remains accessible, effective, and responsive to user needs.”

Raising awareness and building bridges

The new Chair has also emphasised a need to promote awareness of self-exclusion tools, particularly among vulnerable groups – though it has previously stated that it thinks most people in the UK are aware of the tools it offers.

This focus on ensuring awareness comes amid an acknowledgement from regulators and charities of the stigma many people suffering from gambling harm feel, which may affect their willingness to engage with said tools.

As Gamstop looks to meet head on not only the challenges of the coming years, but also the opportunities of a new regulatory era the organisation’s new leadership has stressed the importance of cultivating links with other organisations and sectors.

This includes, as mentioned above, the Gambling Commission, as well as financial services – the latter’s experience of data sharing of particular interest to Gamstop. This is something that has also been highlighted by the Commission itself.

Throughout the duration of the Gambling Act review the Commission reiterated on multiple occasions that betting could learn from financial services when it comes to data sharing. This has also been implemented into post-review policy to some extent, with the ‘financial risk checks’ affordability measures underpinned by Open Banking-enabled data sharing.

On top of this, it also wants to engage more with the sports sector. While the relationship between sports and betting in the UK has felt some pressure lately, with visibility in the Premier League set to shrink next year, sports still remains a useful way to engage with bettors.

“There is scope for data sharing and early intervention, where financial behaviour may signal risk; embedding self-exclusion tools into banking apps and platforms; and joint awareness campaigns to promote responsible gambling and financial wellbeing,” Pond remarked.

He added: “Reaching sports audiences is crucial. Football and other sports are closely linked to gambling advertising and sponsorship, and many fans may be at risk or know someone who is. 

“By partnering with clubs and sports organisations, we can raise awareness in high-risk environments and promote positive messages about self-care and support.”