Do you know how gambling has brought numerous benefits, including the fact that entertainment became more accessible? On the other hand, the industry faces many challenges it’s yet to overcome. Problem gambling, which often leads to addictions, is one of the issues that all market players must address.
Promoting responsible gambling principles is a primary trend gaining momentum among all operators and software providers. Even though managing the bankroll and controlling time spent on a gaming website is the player’s responsibility, casinos and sportsbooks must inform their members about possible consequences. However, it’s not always enough to prevent problematic issues. Therefore, there’s a need to promote healthy gambling behaviour – and this is when GamStop comes into play.
Why GamStop Needs More Competition on the Market
The UK government is one of those strictly controlling gambling activities within the country. The UK Gambling Commission, the most reputable body regulating gaming and betting operators, provides multiple rules for their licensees. Participation in GamStop is one of the requirements that must obligatorily be met.
GamStop is a self-exclusion program that prevents users from gambling at online casinos and on betting websites for a particular period. GamStop has already shown its efficiency: over 80% of respondents mentioned positive trends after joining. However, it’s still not perfect. And the main disadvantage implies that the software doesn’t cover platforms operating beyond the UKGC licensing. The practice of using websites not on GamStop is widely spread beyond the country’s borders and might need some additional regulations, too. Therefore, there’s a need to develop similar software that would qualitatively cope with problem gambling.
Contributing to Struggle Against Gambling Addiction
This disease is quickly progressing, especially among the younger generation representatives. Users spend time on their favourite gaming platforms, forgetting about their real lives. It can end up with mental disorders that require long and difficult treatment. Disease prevention is most important and effective at initial levels. That is why providing players with affordable and reliable self-exclusion tools is so important. Such programs will allow restricted access to gambling and betting websites before the disorder requires specialised, long-lasting medication.
Filling a Competitive Niche with Quality Product
Even though GamStop itself is an efficient program, it could use more flexibility, as well as some additional features. Currently, GamStop has a long self-exclusion period and it is impossible of changing your mind and cancelling the ban. At the same time, GamStop occupies a highly competitive niche: gets promoted by famous sports teams, and is generally encouraged by governments in many countries where online casinos and bookmakers are legal. Besides, responsible gambling attracts investments – even though, ironically, crypto investments and gambling can be similar in more ways than some people might want to acknowledge.
Developing new self-exclusion tools may consider all the previous pitfalls and provide better results for society. The issue of problem gambling is on the agenda in multiple countries, so effective means to cope with it will be helpful.
Wider Market Coverage by Targeting Non-UK Users
British residents are known to be passionate gamblers, but it doesn’t mean people outside the country don’t have this little hobby. According to statistics, around 26% global population regularly enjoys casinos and betting. At the same time, the problem gambling rate reaches 5.8%, which is a significant figure. Coping with the disease requires thorough treatment, so preventing it is the best choice.
Creating an Affordable Solution for a Difficult Problem
Coping with gambling addiction may be challenging and costly, so investing in new free programs is a great idea. Such software could target more problem players that cannot afford expensive treatment. It will eventually lead to better overall well-being and decreased problem gambling rates.
Promoting Well-Being & Mental Health
Gambling addiction can negatively influence people’s lives and relationships. Of course, it leaves a mark on the general society’s welfare. Informing players about the possible problems and preventing them is one of the ways to cope with the disease. Self-exclusion programs have proven efficient, so developing software like GamStop will significantly benefit. While the program only covers UK-based platforms, gamblers from other countries may also need assistance avoiding risky websites.
Final Word
GamStop is a reliable and working self-exclusion tool whose usage is recommended by the UKGC. Currently, GamStop affects crypto markets and the iGaming industry, and this influence is likely to expand on other areas, too. Still, it has some disadvantages, and considering its impact, coming up with new responsible gambling alternatives could be profitable, to say the least. First of all, many people who have problem gambling habits and live beyond the UK lack support, as the GamStop program doesn’t cover local platforms. So, there’s a need to invest in similar products targeting other countries. Besides, non-UK casinos often lack regulations, and it’s time to change it. Implementing efficient self-exclusion programs will significantly benefit the well-being of society in numerous regions.
