The UKGC and GamStop – Protecting You from Non-GamStop Casinos

The UK gambling scene saw huge growth over the last decade as new technologies and faster internet speeds brought gambling into the comfort of homes and mobile devices across the land. For most users, gambling is a harmless distraction and one of many outlets for discretionary income spending, but for others it can be damaging. Non-GamStop casinos have exploited the growing rules enforced by the UKGC to combat problem gamblers and have enticed UK punters away from domestic sites into a world of light regulation and little consumer protection.

In this article we will describe the recent activities of the UKGC and the role of the GamStop scheme in protecting problem gamblers.

Who Are the UKGC?

The UK Gambling Commission are the gaming authority responsible for the UK industry, and they license and regulate people and businesses that provide gambling activities in the country.

Headquartered in Birmingham, England, the group are responsible for overseeing the conduct of individuals and operations, but they also offer mediation for complaints and disputes. After an exponential rise in the number of gambling outlets, with easy online payments, the group have been forced to step up its efforts to police the industry.

The work of the UKGC includes regulating the ability of companies to market gambling services to the public.

How GamStop Works

GamStop is a non-profit self-exclusion scheme in collaboration with the UKGC. Gamblers in the UK can sign up to the service for free and ask for a blanket ban from all gambling websites and apps provided by British gaming companies. The ban will extend for the period of their choosing, which can be up to five years.

The exclusion scheme also cannot be reversed early, and...