Safe gambling is important at all times. Players need to be responsible and understand when they hit their limits. If this time comes, they need to step away and take some time to think about things or cool off. That’s why online gambling self-exclusion schemes like GamStop have been brought in. They give players a way to ban themselves from gambling sites for a set period, enforcing a cooling-off time.
Do you think these schemes are right for you and do they have any benefits or drawbacks? We’ve assessed the key pros and cons to tell you all you need to know about self-exclusion programmes before you consider joining one.
Self-Exclusion Scheme Cons
We’ll get the negative aspects of these schemes out of the way first. Most people are aware of the positives, which is why shining a light on the possible downsides is important. It’s good to know what happens when you join a scheme like GamStop as this determines if it is right for you.
With that in mind, let’s look at the main cons:
- Doesn’t block you from every gambling site – Self-exclusion schemes tend to only block you from sites registered in the same country the scheme is from. For instance, GamStop only stops you from viewing and joining UK gambling sites. This means there are thousands of sites you can still join and bet at. CasinoGam lists non GamStop casinos that any UK punter can join, effectively rendering the self-exclusion scheme useless.
- Can be overly restrictive, leading to worse behaviour – One of the biggest worries with self-exclusion schemes is how restrictive they are. We understand this is necessary, but the minimum exclusion period is normally 6 months and can go up to 5 years. You’re not allowed to gamble online during this time, which often causes players to make worse decisions. They may get ahold of their problem gambling and want to have some fun online with low-stakes casino games. They can’t join UK sites, so they look for black market ones that can be highly dangerous and lead to phishing scams. That’s why non GamStop casinos are so useful; they offer safer alternatives, but it would still be better if the schemes were more flexible so gamblers don’t make bad decisions.
- Come with hidden terms – Many of these schemes have hidden terms they don’t tell you about. For example, if you join GamStop and don’t call up to cancel your exclusion when the minimum period ends, you’ll automatically be signed up for 7 more years! That’s absurd and we think schemes like this need to be more upfront.
- No relevance to in-person gambling – An online self-exclusion scheme only works online. Statista reports there are over 140 operating casinos in the UK that aren’t online. Add to this the hundreds of betting shops and you’ve got loads of establishments not covered by GamStop yet again. It makes you wonder; is this scheme doing its job if it lets you gamble in person anyway?!
Self-Exclusion Scheme Pros
Looking at the downside of self-exclusion schemes can paint them in an overly negative light. Be aware that the purpose of this post is to give a balanced overview of these programmes so you know what to expect. We have to look at the bad elements and be critical, but we also have to acknowledge everything good about these schemes.
A few of the positive aspects of a self-exclusion programme are:
- Helps you stay away from your favourite gambling websites – Many problem gamblers will pick one or two sites and keep going back to them. Self-exclusion schemes are useful if this is your problem as they will help you stay away from your favourite gambling websites. Often, that’s all it takes to develop better relationships with gambling and improve your habits.
- Can block gambling emails – Some self-exclusion programmes will go one step further than blocking you from visiting gambling websites. They also stop all of the sites registered with the scheme from sending you marketing emails. In the UK, this means GamStop prevents hundreds of operators from trying to tempt you with bonus offers!
- Most effective way of removing yourself from gambling sites – If you need some time away, self-exclusions are the most effective way of guaranteeing it. You don’t just ban your account from one website; you get banned from hundreds. It’s an incredibly convenient tool for those who need it.
- Comes with additional support – Most of these schemes come with extra support attached. Whether this is through forums or dedicated support networks; you get more help with your gambling problems to come out the other side a changed person.
Conclusion
We can’t conclude you – you need to weigh up the pros and cons and see if some outweigh the others. Self-exclusion schemes are undeniably powerful and beneficial for some players but they will have a handful of concerns to be wary of.
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