Latest News
GAMSTOP is delivering real impact for its users, independent evaluation concludes
- 78% say of users say it delivers results and 80% would recommend the service
- 73% are satisfied with the service and 72% feel safer, having registered
An independent evaluation of GAMSTOP has found that its users feel safer and more in control since registering with the online self-exclusion service.
The research by Ipsos found that 78% of users said GAMSTOP had delivered the results that they were hoping for and 80% would recommend the service to others.
More than 4,650 GAMSTOP users took part in the research and 73% said they were satisfied with the service, with the number rising to 85% amongst those who no longer gamble. Three out of four felt more in control of their gambling behaviours since registering.
“GAMSTOP literally did what it said on the tin, it stopped me from being able to register with gambling websites, which was the major issue,” a service user with a five-year exclusion, who no longer gambles, told researchers.
Since its inception in 2018, more than 500,000 vulnerable consumers have registered with GAMSTOP. The evaluation found that the most common reason for registering was to stop gambling online altogether (55%), to regain control over their life (55%) and to spend less money on gambling (51%).
Three out of four users surveyed no longer gamble online and nearly one in two (48%) no longer gamble at all. GAMSTOP offers options to self-exclude for either six months, one year or five years, and users who had self-excluded for the maximum period were more likely to have stopped gambling altogether.
Whilst many users felt that GAMSTOP does not eradicate the “urge” to gamble, it provides a mostly effective physical barrier to online gambling and symbolises a commitment to stop gambling.
More than seven out of ten (72%) users said they felt safer from the negative effects of gambling. GAMSTOP reduced the short-term financial harms of gambling for individuals, as well as their close friends and family, giving them a sense of financial liberation and improving their mental and physical health.
Users reported having the time and disposable income to invest in their health and general mental well-being, easing the isolation and stress caused by concealing their gambling and freeing up time previously spent worrying about gambling. More than three out of four respondents (76%) are in work, with the largest proportion (21%) indicating they have a household income of £55,000-£99,000.
The report makes three key recommendations:
- provide the option of a longer or lifetime exclusion period to give greater “peace of mind” for those who use GAMSTOP to stop gambling online altogether
- communicate more frequently with users after their minimum exclusion has ended
- continue advertising on social media to raise awareness amongst younger audiences
The report calls for black-market gambling to be addressed by the government, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders through greater regulation and the imposition of restrictions on its promotion through social media. Service users raised concerns about illegal or unlicensed gambling operators, including targeted advertising of websites claiming to be “not on GAMSTOP”.
The report concludes that GAMSTOP exclusion remains an effective blocking mechanism for licensed UK online gambling operators, but some users have engaged with unlicensed gambling operators since registering with GAMSTOP. It also says that wider regulation of advertising would improve the recovery of GAMSTOP users.
The report concludes:
“The evaluation has established that GAMSTOP is an effective tool for reducing gambling-related harm for individuals seeking to exclude themselves from online gambling operators…The service provided is widely considered both satisfactory and impactful. This is most significant for individuals with a sustained commitment to reducing their gambling behaviours, seeking a lifestyle change rather than a break”.
“Our evaluation found that satisfaction with GAMSTOP is high for the majority of people who use the service. This includes registration and the overall experience of having the self-exclusion in place. The majority of people also found that GAMSTOP delivered against their expectations and that they would recommend it to others”.
GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer said: “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.
Six out of ten users who were surveyed said they rely on GAMSTOP as their sole means of support, and we are aware of the responsibility that this brings with it. We will study the recommendations in detail, including the suggestion of extending self-exclusion periods, although exclusion periods do already continue automatically for seven years unless a user asks for it be lifted”.
The post GAMSTOP is delivering real impact for its users, independent evaluation concludes appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Ygam has strengthened its board of trustees with two appointments bringing combined expertise in governance, policy, public affairs and safeguarding.
Judy White joins the Ygam board with over 20 years of experience in governance and operational leadership across the not-for-profit sector. A Chartered Secretary, Judy has a proven track record in governance, risk management, data protection, transformation and stakeholder engagement. She most recently served as Head of Governance at the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), where she oversaw governance, assurance and risk across the organisation.
Previously, Judy spent seven years at the Gambling Commission as a Senior Manager in Licensing, where she played a key role in assessing complex licensing applications. Judy’s deep understanding of governance frameworks and regulatory environments will provide crucial oversight and support as Ygam continues to grow and evolve.
Iain Corby joins alongside Judy as an experienced leader with a diverse career spanning consultancy, government policy, and the third sector. His early career included 12 years as a programme management consultant at Deloitte before transitioning into policy work.
Iain has experience working in gambling harms prevention sector, previously serving as Deputy Chief Executive of GambleAware. He is currently the founding Executive Director of the Age Verification Providers Association which prioritises child protection in the digital space. With an MBA from UCLA and a reputation for delivering performance improvements, Ian brings strategic insight, commercial acumen and a wealth of knowledge in public affairs and communications.
Mike Wocik, Chair of Ygam, said: “We are delighted to welcome Judy and Iain to the Ygam Board. Their wealth of experience and expertise will further strengthen our governance and strategic leadership, ensuring we continue to operate at the highest standards. Strong governance is the foundation of our success, and their insights will be invaluable as we grow our impact and evolve as a leader in our field. I look forward to working with them to drive our mission forward and make a lasting difference.”
Judy White said: “I’m excited to join the fantastic team at Ygam. I’m passionate about supporting children and young people, and I’ve been hugely impressed by Ygam’s position as a leader in their field, with a clear commitment to high standards of governance and impact. I look forward to engaging and collaborating with the board and staff to advance Ygam’s vision and mission, ultimately supporting children and young people in safely navigating our increasingly digital world.”
Iain Corby said: “Although it has been six years since I was at GambleAware, I have followed developments in the field from a distance and recognise this is a time of great change and opportunity with the introduction of the new levy. The growing focus on prevention has never been more important, and I look forward to supporting the board, the whole leadership team, and the impressive team that is delivering such a formidable impact for young people across the country and beyond.”
The post Ygam Welcomes Two New Trustees appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Narva Communications has become Svenska Spel’s new agency for corporate communications.
“We received high-quality bids from some of Sweden’s leading agencies in Corporate Communication. After a thorough evaluation process, Narva was the agency that received the highest score. They have demonstrated great strategic acumen, strong analytical skills and a very good understanding of Svenska Spel’s mission and communication needs,” Andreas Jerat, Head of Corporate Communication at Svenska Spel, said.
Narva’s assignment includes strategic communication support within Corporate Communication, Public Affairs and financial communication. The assignment also includes the production of annual and sustainability reports. The agreement is valid for two years starting in May 2025, with the possibility of extension 1 + 1 year.
“We are extremely proud that Svenska Spel has chosen Narva as a partner for its group communications. Svenska Spel is one of Sweden’s most well-known brands with an important social mission. We look forward to working with them to develop communications and help further strengthen the image of Svenska Spel as a role model for games that are offered in a safe and responsible manner,” said Frida Dahlgren, CEO of Narva Communications and account manager for Svenska Spel.
The post Narva Communications Becomes Svenska Spel’s New Agency for Corporate Communications appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
A recent survey has confirmed that almost two out of three (63%) of Illinois residents support legalizing online casinos.
The survey, created by casino bonus and online casino review site BonusFinder.com, asked 1,000 Illinois residents their take regarding legalizing online casinos. The focus group covered voters across a variety of political backgrounds, age groups, and different geos.
Despite online casinos currently being illegal in Illinois, and the only way to access them is illegally, the survey found that one in four residents (26%) admitted to having played at an online casino.
According to a separate analysis, which delved into how much US States could be missing out on in online casino tax revenue, it revealed that Illinois could be missing out on up to $788m. Instead of going to the State, this potential tax money is being funneled to unregulated offshore gambling platforms.
When questioned, hypothetically, how residents would prefer the tax revenue to be spent they prioritized: public education (61.4%), mental health and addiction services (54.8%) and improvements in infrastructure (44%).
Other services that were still important, but less of a priority, to those questioned in the survey were: affordable housing (38%), crime prevention (33.1%), community programs (26.2%) and environmental initiatives (22.7%).
“These findings show that Illinoisans are ready for online casinos, as long as it’s done responsibly,” commented Luciano Passavanti, Vice President at BonusFinder.com.
“The message from voters is clear – they want safe, transparent platforms and strict oversight.
“They also want to know that tax revenue from online casinos will directly benefit their communities; whether that’s through education, healthcare, or local infrastructure.
“Illinois is already a major gaming market. Legalizing online casinos is the next logical step.”
While the majority of voters were in favor (63%), 19% were against legalization and 17.5% remained unsure.
The largest age group supporters of legalizing online casinos was the 45-54 age group, with 68.8% being in favor. However, the age group whose least in favor of legalization remained to be those aged 65 and over – with 51.2% being in favor of legalizing online casinos in Illinois.
The second-largest age group in favor of legalizing iCasinos are those aged 35-44 (64.1%), the third-largest group stood to be those in the 18-34 age bracket with 63.7% of voters supporting legalization.
When it comes to the battle of the sexes, men were found to be significantly more open to the idea of legalization, with 70.5% of men in support. However, in comparison, just 58.3% of women were found to be in support of legalizing online casinos in the State.
Furthermore, a variety of correspondents across different political views were also questioned; with findings revealing that Republican voters were slightly more in favor (65.4%) of legalization compared to Democrat voters (63.3%).
The post Online Casino Legalization in Illinois: Study Finds Two-Thirds of Voters in Favor appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
-
partnerships3 weeks agoOctoplay accelerates UK and Irish growth with strategic BoyleSports partnership
-
Compliance Updates4 weeks ago
GRAI: Join the Ongoing Public Consultation
-
Latin America3 weeks ago
SOFTSWISS Ignites Brazil with ‘Race Like a Legend’ Experience
-
Press Releases4 weeks ago
Booming Games Unveils Easter Classics: A Charming Springtime Slot Full of Fluffy Fun and Festive Wins
-
Balkans3 weeks ago
Playson tightens grip on Croatian market with landmark Hrvatska Lutrija deal
-
Asia2 weeks ago
Jetapult Strengthens AI Expertise: Onboards Industry Leaders, Oz Silahtar and Dr. Arjun Jain
-
Africa3 weeks ago
INCENTIVE GAMES SIGNS EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION DEAL FOR NORTH AMERICA, EUROPE, SOUTH AFRICA AND UK WITH LIGHT & WONDER
-
Latin America3 weeks ago
SCCG Becomes Sponsor of SFT Combat
