More than half a million people in the UK have taken the step to block themselves from gambling online. Gamstop’s latest report shows that 560,000 individuals have registered with its gambling self-exclusion program since 2018. That figure now represents around 1% of the UK’s entire population. And with younger users increasingly using these tools—especially under-25s—it’s a shift that every iGaming brand needs to take seriously.
When Self-Exclusion Becomes the Norm
For a long time, gambling self-exclusion tools were treated as a last resort—something for a small minority. But with numbers climbing steadily year after year, that perception no longer holds up.
The idea that over half a million people have actively chosen to remove themselves from online gambling suggests the industry needs to ask some hard questions. Are platforms doing enough to protect users? Are limits and safeguards built in from the start, or bolted on later?
This isn’t about optics. It’s about building systems that recognise the reality of how people engage with gambling, especially when it stops being just entertainment.
It’s Not Just a Legal Obligation
Sure, compliance matters. Regulators expect certain tools and policies to be in place. But responsible gambling shouldn’t just be a matter of ticking boxes.
The data shows there’s a genuine demand for support. People are using these tools—not because they’re required to, but because they need them. That creates a real opportunity for iGaming operators to rethink how they support their user base.
This is about trust, and about recognising that users want platforms that don’t just let them play, but let them pause or stop when needed, without friction or judgment.
Long-Term Value vs. Short-Term Gains
There’s a tendency to see responsible gambling as a trade-off: help someone set limits and maybe they won’t spend as much. But that misses the bigger picture.
If a player feels like a platform respects their boundaries, they’re far more likely to return when they’re ready. They remember which brands made it easy to take a step back. That kind of trust builds resilience for both the player and the business.
Ignoring this trend might boost short-term revenue, but it erodes long-term credibility. And as users become more aware of their options, they’ll gravitate toward operators who take these issues seriously.
The Role of Tech
Technological tools like Gamstop are important. They give users control in moments where it might otherwise be hard to find. Features like automatic five-year renewals, introduced in response to rising demand, are a good example of adapting support to real-life needs.
Still, the success of any tool depends on the environment around it. Do users know it’s available? Is opting in a clear and shame-free process? Is support just a link in the footer—or part of the platform’s broader user experience?
Just as important, are staff trained to spot when users may be in trouble and empowered to respond appropriately? Technology is a support layer, not a replacement for ethical decision-making and human accountability. Brands that get this right are the ones that treat responsible gambling as an everyday consideration, not a crisis button.
Where the Industry Goes From Here
As the numbers show, gambling self-exclusion is no longer rare. It’s mainstream. And it reflects a growing awareness of the risks tied to online gambling.
For iGaming brands, this isn’t a trend to wait out. It’s an opportunity to reset priorities. The operators who embrace a more balanced, transparent approach will be the ones who thrive—because they’ll be building platforms people can actually trust.
The bottom line is this: Responsible gambling isn’t just a regulatory checkbox or a branding angle—it’s part of doing business well, and doing it sustainably.
