The Champions League, World Cup, and Euros finals are exhilarating sporting moments that bring together millions of football supporters all over the world. Bookmakers see a huge rise in betting activity during all the noise and celebrations.
Approximately $1.9 billion was wagered across different platforms, such as non GamStop betting sites, during the 2022 World Cup final. For some, these finals present a window of opportunity where they spiral into problem gambling.
It’s why GamStop steps in to offer a safety net for individuals at risk of gambling addiction. What is GamStop? What’s the role in preventing problem gambling? Let’s explore more below.
Understand Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is defined by gambling professionals as gambling behaviour that causes harm to an individual or their family. Also, it may interfere with the gambler's daily, social, or working life.
If you are a gambler, then you can get addicted to gambling, and hence, all gamblers are at risk of it. Problem gambling is considered a mental health disorder by health practitioners.
Some common warning signs of problem gambling include:
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Obsessing about betting all the time
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Anxiety, depression, and panic attacks
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Gambling despite negative consequences
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Inability to control one’s expenses
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Decreased appetite and sleep
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Need to chase losses after a losing streak
Problem gambling is an emotional problem that carries financial and other life consequences. Therefore, it’s important to recognise it as a mental health disorder and accord it the needed treatment plan. A typical treatment plan is through self-exclusion programs as a tool to control one’s online gambling activities.
An Overview of GamStop?
GamStop is a self-exclusion service started in 2018 by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC). All casinos in Great Britain that are licensed by the UKGC must offer GamStop services to their players.
Once a player has registered on the platform, they won’t be able to access gambling websites for a specified period, from 6 months to 5 years.
It isn’t a foolproof tool yet, as problem gamblers can choose not to register on the platform. Moreover, there are casinos not on GamStop where gamblers can access gambling services with no restriction. However, GamStop covers an intricate part of controlling one’s gambling activities: access.
The Gambling Surge During Major Football Finals
Football finals like the Champions League, World Cup, or Euros create a buzz of enthusiasm, community pride, and extensive media coverage that often leads to a spike in gambling. The thrill of competition and the high stakes keep fans engaged and encourage them to immerse themselves more deeply in the sport. For instance, on the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, $1.9 billion spread bets were placed on the sites.
Furthermore, the global appeal of these football finals has sparked interest among bettors. Fans feel compelled to place bets to enhance their viewing experience. Also, there’s ease of access to thousands of betting platforms with attractive wagers to wager on, including the option of placing bets through a bookmaker non AAMS.
Additionally, we can’t overlook the social aspect of these events in betting. Friends, family, and workmates gather during these events with conversations largely about betting predictions and odds. Hence, it creates an environment where betting is normalised and encouraged.
The Consequences of Problem Gambling
As the high of the final whistle wears off, the reality sets in about this gambling action. Gambling has many emotional responses: guilt, stress, and regret, especially after a loss.
Gambling-related harm isn’t only about losing money. Gambling affects one’s self-esteem, relationships, and physical and mental health. These effects jump into one’s daily life, career, and social life.
Another consequence exhibited by problem gamblers is financial issues. Overdue bills, foreclosure, maxed-out credit cards, and failure to cover basic needs are some common financial woes experienced.
How GamStop Makes a Difference
GamStop is a resort for most problem gamblers who are experiencing early warning signs. It starts with a simple registration process with your personal information and a photo ID (such as a driving license or passport). It takes less than 24 hours to activate the self-exclusion period.
The main features of GamStop include:
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Possibility of choosing a self-exclusion period
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A total ban on UKGC-licensed online casinos
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Help with future addiction treatment and needed support
GamStop is currently very extensive; its reach covers all UK online gambling operators that are licensed. Once registered, an alert is automatically sent to all online gambling sites that an individual has requested to exclude themselves.
In addition, the self-exclusion programme provides a structured situation for problem gamblers to engage with and reflect on their gambling activity. Players who stop during the self-exclusion period are saying to themselves, “Ok, so what kind of relationship do I really have with gambling?”
Future of GamStop and Other Similar Services
GamStop is an essential responsible gambling tool to cope with the early signs of problem gambling. However, its coverage is limited to include a wide range of gambling sites and apps. Fortunately, the gambling scene is responding positively to the efforts of GamStop towards responsible gambling. Hence, we expect similar solutions to come up in other jurisdictions soon.
