Rise in Self-Exclusions Among Young Gamblers Raises Concerns
A 12% rise in self-exclusions among younger players aged 16-24 in the first half of 2024 has heightened concerns about underage gambling in the UK. Data from GAMSTOP reveals that half of the new sign-ups were between 16 and 35, prompting calls for targeted support and education. With overall registrations up 3% year-on-year, and significant increases linked to major events like Euro 2024, the national self-exclusion scheme is on track for a record number of participants in 2024.
Increase in Younger Self-Excluders
A notable 12% increase in younger players aged 16-24 self-excluding through the UK’s national scheme has sparked concerns about underage gambling.
GAMSTOP’s latest data reveals that half of the new sign-ups in the first half of 2024 were individuals aged between 16 and 35, resulting in a lower average age of registrants.
Surge in Overall Registrations
In total, 49,494 new users registered with GAMSTOP in the first half of the year, marking a 3% rise year-on-year and bringing the total number of participants to 482,815.
On average, 1,904 consumers signed up weekly, with April seeing a record 8,686 new registrations, the highest monthly total since GAMSTOP’s launch in April 2018.
Demographic and Duration Trends
Almost half of the new registrants (49%) opted for the maximum exclusion period of five years, with 71% of new sign-ups identifying as male.
GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer emphasized the need for targeted support and preventative education for younger age groups, reflecting a proactive approach to addressing gambling-related issues.
Impact of Euro 2024 on Registrations
The Euro 2024 football tournament significantly impacted registrations in the second half of the year.
New sign-ups in early July were 8% higher than the previous year, with spikes following key England matches. This trend suggests GAMSTOP could surpass last year’s record of over 92,000 new registrations, potentially reaching nearly 100,000 in 2024.
Record Gambling Activity in the UK
According to data from the UK Gambling Commission, the period from April to June 2024 saw record gambling activity in Britain, with up to 24.5 billion bets and spins across all online verticals.
This high level of engagement highlights the increasing need for self-exclusion tools like GAMSTOP to support individuals in managing their gambling behaviors.
