Remote Gambling Association unveils GAMSTOP

ne gambling industry watchdog the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has today announced the launch of its pilot national online gambling self-exclusion scheme.

Known as GAMSTOP, the initiative will offer players the ability to exclude themselves from every UK licensed operators online website, simply by inputting their details into a single process on GAMSTOP’s website.

It will also offer player level information on all UK licensed operator online betting, gambling self-exclusion schemes and provide links to specialist advice and support services to at risk individuals.

Moves to create a national self-exclusion service began when the 2014 Gambling Act introduced a requirement for all remote gambling operators to have a player self-exclusion service as part of their UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence and code of practice.

RGA Director of Social Responsibility Fiona Palmer, speaking on behalf of GAMSTOP said: “We are at a very exciting stage in the development of GAMSTOP. With the branding now established and process design well advanced, the focus in the coming months will be on technology integration and industry communication.

We are therefore confident that we will deliver self-exclusion on the truly national scale needed to assist consumers who need this kind of help to manage their gambling.”

UK gambling commission Programme Director Paul Hope welcomed the introduction of GAMSTOP saying: “The ability for consumers to exclude themselves from all online gambling with a single request will be a powerful tool for those that need it. We welcome the work the RGA is doing to develop GAMSTOP and look forward to it becoming available.”