Gamstop's Monumental Strides in Gambling Harm Prevention
UK Gamstop Chair Departing Clarifies: Approximately 1% of Adults in the UK Have Self-Excluded from a Betting Platform
Jenny Watson, the Chair of Gamstop since 2018, recently penned a heartfelt message for the industry scheme's annual report, highlighting the substantial influence Gamstop has had in promoting responsible gambling and safeguarding individuals from gambling-related harm.
Jenny Watson: A Champions for Gamstop
Known for her expertise and dedication, Jenny Watson is set to leave her position with Gamstop in September. In her statement, she reflects on the remarkable journey that Gamstop has embarked upon, transforming it into a vital pillar within the gambling community.
Watson points out that countless individuals, primarily those at risk, have enrolled with Gamstop to self-exclude from licensed gambling websites. Since its creation in 2018, over half a million people have registered with Gamstop, making it a powerful and reliable tool for managing gambling behavior. This equates to 1% of the UK adult population, as Watson notes in the report, stating:
"We've made a significant impact on hundreds of thousands of lives astray from gambling addiction."
Watson firmly believes that success extends beyond mere numbers, and highlights the life-changing impact Gamstop has had on numerous individuals.
"Time and time again, we've heard from consumers expressing gratitude towards Gamstop for helping them regain control over their lives," she adds.
Gamstop: Globally-Recognized Leader in Gambling Harm Support
Watson also affirms that Gamstop transcends its local relevance, anchoring itself as a globally-renowned technology provider in the gambling harm support sector.
The efficiency of the program is a testament to its success, with a 2024 audit revealing that an astonishing 75% of individuals who registered with Gamstop have ceased gambling. Additionally, a staggering 78% confirmed that the program met their expectations.
As Gamstop enters a period of growth and transition in the sector, it anticipates maintaining its operations on a larger scale. This achievement is partly due to the UK government's decision to impose a statutory levy on gambling operators' gross gaming yield, which will be dedicated to research and harm-prevention efforts, with Gamstop being one of the leading beneficiaries.
Seeking an Independent New Chair
In preparation for the future, Gamstop is currently on the hunt for a new Chair who will uphold their unwavering dedication to providing support without compromising their ethics.
"Our new Chair will join us during a time of substantial expansion and progress for Gamstop, as well as during a period of transformative change within the gambling industry," the job posting reads.
With the gambling sector frequently under public and political scrutiny in the UK, the new Chair is expected to have extensive regulatory experience and a strong commitment to responsible gambling initiatives. A leadership background in similar self-exclusion frameworks would also be beneficial.
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- Jenny Watson, the current Chair of Gamstop, emphasized in the annual report that Gamstop has made a significant impact in promoting responsible gambling and protecting individuals from gambling-related harm, with over half a million people registering since its creation in 2018.
- Watson also asserted that Gamstop, a vital pillar in the gambling community, is more than just numbers, as it has made life-changing impacts on numerous individuals struggling with gambling addiction.
- In the near future, Gamstop expects to maintain its operations on a larger scale, partly thanks to the UK government's decision to levy gambling operators' gross gaming yield, with proceeds dedicated to research and harm-prevention efforts, including Gamstop.
- As Gamstop transitions to a new leadership, the organization is seeking an independent Chair with extensive regulatory experience, a strong commitment to responsible gambling initiatives, and preferably, a background in similar self-exclusion frameworks.
- The new Chair of Gamstop will join during a time of expansion and progress for the organization, as well as during a period of transformative change within the broader gambling industry, including casino-and-gambling, casino-games, lotteries, and other related sectors.
