The online gambling industry is one of the successful business ventures in the United Kingdom. All forms of gambling and betting in the region are regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. Although the industry has achieved a lot since it was established back in 2005, it is forced to find solutions to emerging problems. The most recent changes expected in the UK gambling market are aimed at tackling the problem gamblers.

With easy access to online casinos, the number of problem gambling has increased significantly. Although there are different tools and websites that are dedicated to helping solve problem gambling, a better and permanent solution has been tabled to assist punters in exiting gambling for good. Individuals with gambling problems can now block themselves from all UK based online casinos. Find out more about the recent changes in GamStop in our in-depth article.

New Mandatory Rule to Obtain a License

The new gambling rule that has been set up by the UK Gambling Commission makes it mandatory for all gambling platforms to register with GamStop. This is one of the must-have requirements for license holders in the UK. The commission is also working on how to make the system more effective to get around slot sites not covered by Gamstop. The software like GamStop is the best self-exclusion gaming program that is dedicated to protecting problem gamblers.

However, the implementation of the program has faced several challenges. The BBC revealed the flaws in the system in early January, showing how members could bypass the security system using different names. The problem was addressed, as stated by the GamStop Executive Fiona Palmer. The commission requested the Remote Gambling Association (RGA), which is in charge of the program to ensure that the issue is addressed.

Risk of Losing License Without GamStop

It is no longer a secret that all online casinos and betting sites risk losing their licenses if they don’t sign up on the GamStop website. Although GamStop is already being used by thousands of members, it was noted that the system did not exclude members from receiving promotional emails.

It has been estimated that about 99% of the gambling companies in the UK are now registered on GamStop. The greatest danger of using unlicensed gambling sites is that you risk losing your money and personal information to hackers and other unauthorized people.

GamStop Flaws

GamStop has a very special role in the gambling industry; however, it has been noticed that the system is not all that perfect. The self-exclusion system is designed to protect vulnerable people with gambling problems. The recent flaw that has been discovered in the system - members can still gamble online.

According to an expose by the BBC Radio 5 show, it was revealed that players can still bet online by simply misspelling their name or using a different email. This allows people to create new accounts and continue betting on any website. One of the gamblers, Adam Bradford, called the system ‘Scandalous’ because he was able to bet on 15 online casinos out of the 20 that he had been blocked.

However, the director and management at GamStop have promised more strict laws, including ID verification, to curb the problem.

The Association of British Bookmaker (ABB) also commented on the revelation and termed it a big disappointment to the gambling community. Nonetheless, the trade association showed satisfaction in the 83% of gamblers who have been helped by the system.

Conclusion

As we have mentioned, GamStop is one of the best systems that is committed to providing problem gamblers with a lifetime solution. Like other systems, it is not perfect, but plans are underway to ensure that all the flaws that have been spotted are solved. We hope that everything will be put in place to provide permanent solutions to all problems.

By Chad Patterson

Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors.

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