Blog

We are proud to announce that Gamstop Group have signed the Workplace Charter to Reduce Gambling Related Harms, signifying our ongoing commitment to safeguarding people from the harms of gambling addiction – both for Gamstop consumers and within our workplace. The Charter provides an evidence-based framework enabling employers to increase awareness of gambling related-harm in the workplace and create a supportive culture through policy and training. As part of this, Gamstop staff received ‘Bet You Can Help’ training from Beacon Counselling Trust, providing guidance on how best to help colleagues if they are experiencing gambling-related harm. We hope to see many more employers sign the Charter and pledge to support staff who may be experiencing gambling-related harm. [Learn more about the Workplace Charter to Reduce Gambling Related Harms](https://beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk/workplace-charter/^)

In an interview with the BBC, Adam described his struggles with gambling addiction from the ages of 18 to 23 and his subsequent recovery. As well as using Gamstop Online as a practical tool, Adam emphasised the importance of opening up to loved ones and spoke about how his passion for running supported his journey. [Read Adam's interview](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgr97r7zyyno^) [Adam's Gamstop story](/stories/adam)

Gamstop Online data from the first half of 2025 has revealed record registrations and new insights: - Registrations have increased by 19% compared to the same period in 2024. - May set a new record for registrations, with 10,344 registrations in a month. - The share of registrants aged 16-24 is growing rapidly – a 44% year-on-year increase in registrations in this cohort has seen under-25s make up over a quarter of new registrations this year. - Uptake of six-month exclusions is rising, particularly within the 16-24 age group, where 4 in 10 opted for this exclusion length. These record volumes emphasise the continued need to provide support to people struggling with gambling-related harm, as the appetite for self-exclusion continues to grow. Gamstop Group CEO Fiona Palmer said: *“We have worked very hard to increase awareness of Gamstop amongst younger consumers and to destigmatise the use of self-exclusion. We want them to realise that Gamstop can be used as a preventative tool alongside other solutions, giving them breathing space to take back control.”*

Gamstop Group CMO Katie Reynolds-Jones appeared on Hold or Fold, a podcast by the Prison Radio Association which focuses on problem gambling and the criminal justice system. Speaking with hosts Ben Jones and Steve Girling, Katie discussed how Gamstop Online can help people take back control of their gambling. The episode also featured guest Bryan, who used Gamstop in his own recovery. [Listen to Hold or Fold](https://linktr.ee/holdorfoldpod^)

As National Student Money Week begins, Gamstop Online and Ygam have released the fourth National Student Gambling Survey, asking 2,000 UK university students about their gambling. The survey found that: - 17% of students who gamble are at high risk of gambling harm, with a further 29% at moderate risk. - 4 in 10 students who gamble say their university experience has been negatively impacted. - Male students are at greater risk of gambling harm, as well as gambling more frequently and with higher spend. - Asian students who gamble also experience gambling harm at higher levels, with over half at high or moderate risk. - Just over half (53%) of students who gamble are aware of support available at their university for problems with their gambling. This research has identified vital opportunities to continue tackling gambling harm in higher education, highlighting the need for universities to make gambling harm education and prevention a key part of their wellbeing strategies while considering the needs of groups at higher risk. [Read the full report](https://ygam.org/news/annual-student-gambling-survey-2025-findings-published/^)

Gamstop Online has been in the news this week as we released the newest findings from the final half of 2024: - Since our launch in 2018, over 530,000 UK residents have registered with GAMSTOP – over 1% of the adult population. - Young people continue to be a growing demographic, as under-25s now account for almost a quarter of new registrants. - Regional analysis has revealed Hull, Teesside, and Sunderland to be the postcode areas with the highest rate of GAMSTOP uptake. Gamstop Group CEO Fiona Palmer said: *“Gamstop allows vulnerable consumers to take a break from gambling and we want to raise awareness of the service amongst those who need it most. Our detailed regional data has highlighted the postcodes where self-exclusion has been most widely adopted, and we hope this will help local authorities and other bodies to target appropriate support in the areas where the need is greatest”. *

The second independent evaluation of Gamstop Online, conducted by Ipsos, was published last month. Ipsos researchers provided insights into Gamstop consumers’ experiences and outcomes: - The most common reasons for registering with Gamstop were to stop gambling online altogether (55%), to regain control over their life (55%) and to spend less money on gambling (51%). - 74% of respondents are satisfied with Gamstop, with 80% saying that they would recommend Gamstop to someone they know. - Respondents reported that negative impacts of gambling on relationships, finances, physical health and mental health have significantly reduced after registering with Gamstop. *“I haven't had any issues with gambling now since the day I signed up which would have been probably 2021, and I have complete financial clarity.”* – Interview participant [Read the full report](https://assets.ctfassets.net/n4lncape6m77/25tf86iDsaav1GkeyOO9Y6/fa44c4d6b8184b210e4fb9fb40186014/GAMSTOP_Evaluation_Final_Report_2023.pdf^)

Performer and theatremaker Hannah Walker spoke to the Mirror this week, discussing her partner's recovery from gambling addiction and how Gamstop Online helped them both. [Read Hannah's interview](https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/my-partner-gambled-100k-money-33404098^) [Hannah's Gamstop story](/stories/hannah)

In December 2023, Censuswide surveyed 2,000 UK students about their gambling habits. As in the previous two years, the research was commissioned by GAMSTOP and Ygam and asked students about their experiences with gambling. This year, the survey results showed that six out of ten students had gambled in the last 12 months - the most common motivation was ‘to make money’, with 46% of student gamblers giving this as a reason. Friends were a key influence for gambling for over a third of student gamblers. Rates of gambling harm were high among students: - Nearly half of student gamblers said that they bet more than they can afford; the average loss was £35 a week. - From declining grades to trouble paying for food and bills, 46% reported that their gambling negatively impacted their university experience. - For 21% of students who gambled, their struggles were severe enough to be classed as ‘problem gambling’. [Read the full report](https://ygam.org/news/nearly-half-of-student-gamblers-are-gambling-more-than-they-can-afford/)

Over 92,000 people registered with Gamstop Online in 2023, the highest yearly figure since the start of the scheme and an increase of 9.5% from 2022. From its launch in April 2018 to the end of December 2023, 433,357 people have registered with GAMSTOP to self-exclude from online gambling. The majority of Gamstop registrants (55%) chose to exclude themselves for five years, the maximum period available. Registrations from teenagers and young adults have continued to rise – the 16-24 age group made up around 21% of the registrants between July and December 2023, up from 17% during the same period in 2022. Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop Group, said: *“We are continuing to see a year-on-year increase in the number of registrants, which shows the importance of self-exclusion for anyone struggling with their gambling, alongside other blocking tools and support. We want to continue raising awareness of GAMSTOP to anyone who might benefit from self-exclusion and to the friends and families of anyone affected by gambling. The prevalence of young adults among GAMSTOP’s registrants shows the importance of educating younger consumers and we will continue our outreach to this age group in 2024, working collaboratively with like-minded organisations and harnessing the support of our football club partners”.*

This week Declan was interviewed in The Irish News, where he spoke about his experiences with gambling and how registering with Gamstop Online helped him with his recovery. [Read Declan's interview](https://www.irishnews.com/news/northernirelandnews/2023/11/10/news/belfast_man_declan_cregan_1_slot_machine_bet_turned_into_10_year_gambling_addiction_and_loss_of_31_000_life_savings-3763324/^) [Declan's Gamstop story](/stories/declan)

The 21st of September was our second annual Self-Exclusion Day. Using the hashtag #TakeBackControl2023, a wide variety of football clubs and players associations, including Crystal Palace and local team Harrogate Town championed the benefits of self-exclusion with GAMSTOP by sharing our assets on social media and at home games during the following weekend. We greatly appreciated the support to make the day a success and look forward to next year.