What is the GamStop?

Gamstop is a free and secret service which plays a vital role in player protection strategy. This commission aims to ensure a safe environment for online gamblers.

In the traditional casinos, the same principle applies but in a different manner. As the casinos within a certain city or state have a private network. This network links them together to share important data. This network collects data about the addictive players from each casino. So, when the addictive player tries to enter any casino. The cameras will identify them with the AI technology. Then the security blocks him. In addition, the traditional casinos apply the concept of social responsibility. So, they invest in independent and non-profit bodies that help problem gamblers.

While on the internet, the situation is different as there is a “full freedom” for users. Do not fall in love with slogans calling for absolute freedom for all. This concept can destroy the lives of people with addictive tendencies!

For that, the organization of National Self-Exclusion launched GamStop scheme in 1999. That is to say, this service comes before all most of the online casinos available now.

Players are not forced to join GamStop scheme. Because, as we all know, all that banned is desired! The player join the program with his own will. When he feels that things become out of control and getting worse. While the casino will alert the problem gamblers for their behaviour. Then, tell them to join the scheme. After the player registers in the programme. He won’t be able to play at UK online casinos for a period of his choosing.

How GamStop service works?

People with problematic gambling behaviour can ban themselves from online casinos. bookmakers. pokers portals. For a period ranging from six months up to five years.

According to its own statement. the system records thousands of new registrations every month. As a result, up to 7,000 people were voluntarily out from online gambling there every month.

Since March 2020, the majority of the UK providers joined Gamstop. Not least because of this, the company’s own database now includes more than 150,000 entries. With the start of the corona-related lockdown. the system recently recorded a slight decrease in new registrations.

From its start. the organization knew that there proximity between casino games and sports betting. So, it included sports betting sites in its service as well as poker networks, and lotto portals.

Gamblers are often at risk of not being able to resist the gambling temptations. But, Gamstop can support them in this.

This does not mean that it eliminates all kinds of online gambling addiction. But it minimizes the risk of developing problematic gambling behaviour. And ensure better player protection.
The association wants to ensure that the gamblers know that they can decide to be out of a casino if they want. For that, it requires casinos to put its logo on the homepage to raise the consciousness of players. Also, tell players about it through customer service, emails, and other communication means.

Disadvantages of GamStop

According to justuk.club site, there are a lot of drawbacks to GamStop.

This service is not established on accurate knowledge of gambling addiction. Although this problem is common among people from different social classes. There are a few studies about it!

There are many reasons for this. Including, for example, that the gambling addict does not admit that he is an addict at all. So, he considers that this is his money and has absolute freedom to use it as he wants even if he is bankrupt. Thus, he does not admit that there is a problem, so how is a study applied to him?!

Besides, Psychology has no fixed and specific principles like experimental sciences. And the most of its subjects has few studies.

This service includes some casinos and does not include all the casinos. In other words, the role of the organization’s will not be effective. As the addictive player can sign up to any casino out of GamStop. If the service seeks to be a firewall, it is has many holes.

Also, like the UK Gambling Commission. This organization should have a concern with all gambling forms. Starting from traditional casinos, then betting shops, online casinos, and betting sites. In this manner, it can be a huge network that includes all gambling activities available to users. Because if the problem gambler was out from an online casino he will go to a traditional casino or an online shop.

Why do people addict gamble?

As we mentioned before, unfortunately, there are little studies about this subject. Some of them are even contradictory! Even so, we can discover some of the main feature of a person addicted to gambling, which is as follows:

They escape from personal problems through gambling

Considering that addiction is due to hormonal and genetic causes. Some people try to escape from their personal problems by playing casino games. These games give them a sense of masterful control which they lack in real life! In other words, it works for them as compensation.

For example, the reclusive person has a strong imagination full of heroic visualizations. The same applies to a gambler who lacks the strength to solve his own problems. Thus, he resorts to casinos that give him a feeling of superiority and control.

But, the feeling of helplessness deepens when he suffers losses. So, he plays for more time to compensate for his losses and regain control again. But the losses accumulate again! Thus, he faces more problems. In this equation, the biggest loser is the wife and children. As they feel that their lives are not safe at all and they have nothing to do!