GAMSTOP introduces auto renewal scheme amid record registrations in 2025

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GAMSTOP, an online gambling self-exclusion tool and charity, has announced record registration numbers for the beginning of 2025. 

They revealed that, in the New Year, 415 people registered on 1 January and a further 809 joined in the following two days, which has been the largest number of daily sign-ups since May 2023. 

GAMSTOP works by the user providing the registration details they have given to an online gambling company, and once registered with the former, you will be unable to bet on your current or a new account, with licensed UK operators required to check upon a new sign-up.

Since their launch in 2018, over half a million people have signed up with GAMSTOP, and they have recently introduced a new ‘five-years self exclusion with auto renewal’ option, for vulnerable users who are seeking a longer-term exclusion from gambling websites and apps. 

This comes after many consumers have expressed a desire for a more long-term option, with the company making the new feature in direct response to that feedback. 

An independent study by market research consulting firm IPSOS showed that those who use GAMSTOP are nervous about what may happen once their restrictions have been lifted; and would have rather have chosen a ‘lifetime’ option, if it was available.  

At this current point, once a user’s initial minimum self-exclusion period has ended, it remains active for seven years, unless they contact GAMSTOP to get it removed. 

With the new addition, people who select the five years with auto renewal will see their exclusion automatically continue for another five years once the time period has elapsed. Users will not be able to deactivate this renewal, unlike before.

This will continue the cycle, allowing for vulnerable users to be safeguarded from participating in online gambling unless they actively decide to opt out from the process. 

In addition, those who have opted in to receive emails from GAMSTOP after signing up for the five-year exclusion (with or without auto-renewal), will receive updates every 15 months, outlining their upcoming expiration and renewal dates.  

The new auto-renewal feature will work alongside the current six-month, one-year and five-year self-exclusion periods that have been offered by the company since their launch eight years ago. 

Consumers who had opted for the five-year exclusion will have the option to upgrade into the auto-renewal, within their account on the website. 

Gamstop Group CEO, Fiona Palmer said: “We have come a very long way since our launch in April 2018, but our journey doesn’t stop there. Our goal is to provide consumers with tools and options that empower them to take control of their gambling activity. As such, we’re consistently listening to feedback and evaluating the effectiveness of our service. 

“Consumers wanted longer exclusion periods and we listened. The introduction of the five-year auto-renewal exclusion is an important step in ensuring consumers peace of mind when using our service and helping vulnerable consumers take a sustained break from their gambling.” 

While gambling should be a safe and fun activity to partake in, it is vital to do so responsibly, which you can learn more about on our responsible gambling page.