Last updated on October 1st, 2024
Ipsos, a Paris-based global market research and public opinion specialist firm, has released a report revealing that most players who register with the national self-exclusion program Gamstop feel safer and more in control of their gambling activities.
Ipsos’s study surveyed more than 4,600 users of Gamstop and reported that 78% of those users are satisfied with the services of the self-exclusion scheme, with 80% even going as far as to say that they would definitely recommend the service to others.
Moreover, 73% of active Gamstop users surveyed by Ipsos stated that they are satisfied with the overall service, whereas this number rose to 85% when it comes to users who no longer engage in gambling activities.
The research by Ipsos, published on the 18th of September 2024, states that 72% of respondents said that they feel safer from the perils of gambling once they register with Gamstop, with one-third reporting feeling more in control over their gambling habits.
More than 500,000 users have registered with Gamstop with the purpose of blocking access to UK-licensed gambling operators since its launch back in 2018. According to the numbers, 55% registered to stop gambling, 55% to regain control of life, and 51% to reduce gambling expenditures.
However, while the research reported back mostly positive feedback, many Gamstop users stated that while the service is effective when it comes to controlling gambling, it still doesn’t eliminate the urge to gamble.
One of the suggestions to battle this issue is introducing a longer exclusion period, an approach that could offer greater peace of mind for players, particularly those who wish to stop gambling permanently.
Another major concern suggested by Gamstop users is the ease of access to unlicensed online gambling operators, with a vast number of respondents reporting that they have engaged with unlicensed platforms that are not part of the Gamstop network.
Consequently, the survey Ipsos recommends that the United Kingdom Gambling Commission and the UK Government introduce stricter laws and implement new regulations to reduce the exposure and availability of black-market gambling operators.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop, commented on the report:
We regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the service through comprehensive independent research and it is gratifying to know that most of our users feel Gamstop has helped them significantly reduce gambling-related harm.
