Gambling Self-Exclusion broke records in 2023 - But how can players get around It?

In 2023, Gamstop, the national self-exclusion from gambling scheme for Great Britain, saw a 9.5% year-on-year increase. This means that last year, 92,000 people signed themselves up to be excluded from online casinos and sports betting sites.

While Gamstop is a valuable tool for individuals looking to stay away from gambling, signing up for it is often an impulsive decision. Those who do it but want to keep playing, have ways of bypassing the self-exclusion system.

Not all online casinos are on Gamstop

Players who want to gamble but have signed up for Gamstop have to wait 24 hours before they can register or rejoin a UKGC-licenced website. This gives them time to reevaluate their decision. However, the 24-hour rule doesn’t mean all online casinos are unavailable to them.

They can still register at gambling sites not connected to Gamstop and spin slots or place their bets right away. These websites are not licenced in the UK, yet are regulated by offshore bodies and are entirely safe to play at.

There, they can find many of the games they enjoy playing on the UK sites. Other games are also just as good, sometimes even better than those on UKGC-licenced websites.

Registering on one of these websites eliminates the 24-hour wait period and allows players to immediately engage in their preferred activities. In addition, opting for crypto sites like one of the top 15 here ensures quick and smooth deposits, with Michael Graw sharing that they also offer bigger bonuses, so can make your funds go further.

Thus, while Gamstop helps players manage their gambling habits, it’s not entirely foolproof. Joining a crypto or anonymous casino is an easy and effective way to get back into the game. This is good news for those who signed up for it impulsively or were coerced into it.

More people signing up for Gamstop

433,357 people have decided to join the Gamstop scheme since its launch in April 2018. The programme is recording a year-on-year increase in the number of registrants. In 2023, more than 92,000 players opted in, up from 84,000 in 2022.

According to Gamstop’s reports, more and more young Brits are deciding to exclude themselves from online gambling. In H2 of 2023, there was a 31% year-on-year increase in registrations from people between the ages of 16 and 24. Additionally, in the second half of the year, this age group accounted for 21% of the new signups.

These numbers show that UK residents are looking for ways to regulate their gambling habits. Still, stopping completely isn’t always what they had in mind when they signed up. That’s why many of them still choose to play on websites that are regulated by countries other than the UK, commonly known as non-Gamstop casinos.

Taking a safe approach to gambling

Joining the Gamstop scheme can be a good way for players to regain control over their gambling habits. However, it’s not the only solution. It’s possible for gambling enthusiasts to enjoy their preferred activities in online casinos without falling into problematic behaviors.

To do this effectively, players should choose the right time to gamble. Doing it when upset or under a lot of stress can impact their decisions and cause them to go over their limits. The same goes for playing while under the effects of alcohol.

Additionally, they should set their budgets and time limits. Some gambling sites even have tools that allow them to monitor their play and make more calculated decisions.

Online casinos also often advise players to take a break when they feel like they’re not having fun or are playing just to win back what they’ve lost. Joining gambling websites that care about their clients and deliver quality customer experience can play an important role.

Taking these steps allows players to have greater control over their gambling habits without enrolling in Gamstop.