Gamstop uses 5th annual Self-Exclusion Day to target football fans as data reveals where self-exclusion is highest across the UK

Gamstop Online, the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, has reported a 16% year-on-year increase in registrations during the first half of 2026, with May setting a new monthly record. The biggest increase in registrations was among under 25s, a 26% year-on-year increase, and they now make up nearly one in three of all self-exclusions. Younger users are also most likely to opt for shorter exclusions, with 38% choosing the minimum six-month term, which indicates they are using it as a helpful preventative tool to manage their gambling. By contrast, more than one in two of the 614,738 consumers currently on Gamstop Online have opted for the maximum five-year exclusion and, amongst all age groups, only one in four have self-excluded for six months. Men accounted for more than seven out of ten new registrations, which is consistent with the gender split since Gamstop’s inception in 2018. Monthly registrations have been consistent throughout the first half of 2026, peaking in May with a record 12,236 sign-ups, but England’s successful World Cup run deep into the tournament could see that number eclipsed in July. Typically, Gamstop Online sees a surge in sign-ups immediately after a big football tournament, or after England have been knocked out. Matt Burgiss, head of external affairs at The Gamstop Group, who began betting on football as a teenager and subsequently experienced gambling addiction, warned: “There is a real risk that people have increased their gambling during the World Cup and once the tournament is over, they might turn to online casino games or other forms of gambling. Self-exclusion gives them the opportunity to take a break from gambling and prevent it from getting out of hand”. Fiona Palmer, CEO of The Gamstop Group, said: “The fact that self-exclusion has again increased significantly year-on-year shows that users are continuing to find it an invaluable and flexible tool to manage their gambling, particularly younger consumers. Whilst the landscape has changed significantly in recent months, our approach remains the same, which is to work collaboratively across the sector, emphasising the importance of layering tools and support, to enhance recovery for those experiencing harm”.

We are pleased to announce the appointments of Jo Costello and David Spruce as new Non‑Executive Directors, who will be joining the Gamstop Group at the beginning of June. Their combined expertise will continue to enhance the governance and strategic oversight of the organisation at an important time for the sector. Jo brings extensive experience across safeguarding, membership services and frontline support for vulnerable people, having worked across the third sector, education and social care. Her background in supporting individuals to regain stability and control, alongside her leadership at Rape Crisis England & Wales, will provide valuable insight as we continue to evolve our services. David brings more than three decades of senior financial and operational leadership, with experience across global organisations including Esso, Mars, JP Morgan, SunGard and QBE Insurance. He also holds significant governance roles across major charities and public bodies, contributing deep expertise in financial oversight, risk management and strategic planning. We are also delighted to welcome Matt Burgiss as our first Head of External Affairs. His highly respected expertise across both prevention and support, combined with his strong sector knowledge, lived experience and deep understanding of the benefits of using Gamstop, will significantly strengthen our external engagement strategy.

Today we’ve published the latest Annual Student Gambling Survey, now in its fifth year. Jointly commissioned with our partners [Ygam](https://ygam.org/), the survey gathers insights from 2,000 university students across the UK. Alongside this, we’ve published a five-year trend analysis, covering over 10,000 students, to understand how student gambling behaviour is evolving. Key findings: - 65% of university students have gambled in the past 12 months, rising to 75% among male students. - Average weekly gambling spend has almost doubled, from £27.24 to £50.33. - 34% of students who gamble say social media is a key influence. - 46% of student gamblers report that gambling has negatively affected their university experience. - Over the past five years, gambling among students has fallen from 78% to 65%, and the proportion experiencing harms has decreased from 24% to 18%. To read the press release and reports [click here](https://ygam.org/news/university-students-who-gamble-are-losing-an-average-of-53-a-week/) These findings show that students remain particularly vulnerable to gambling harms. By working with Ygam, universities and student unions can access training, tools, and resources to safeguard students and address gambling harms.

Last week, our Chief Marketing Officer, Katie Reynolds-Jones attended both the London Gambling Harms Conference and GamCare’s Parliamentary Reception. These events provided valuable opportunities to meet colleagues from across the sector and engage in meaningful conversations about our shared commitment to reducing gambling harm. Thank you to Betknowmore UK and GamCare for inviting us to be part of these important discussions. The conversations throughout the week offered valuable insight and reaffirmed the importance of collaboration in strengthening protections for those most at risk.