New UK self-exclusion scheme named GAMSTOP
The UK’s new national online self-exclusion scheme, created by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) trade association, will be called GAMSTOP.
The scheme will enable UK consumers to exclude themselves via a single website process from all online gambling operators that are licensed by the Gambling Commission.
The website will also set out other measures that are available to help people manage their gambling and will signpost specialist advice and support services for those who might benefit from it.
It is hoped GAMSTOP – previously known as the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme (NOSES) – will be fully operational by the end of 2017.
Fiona Palmer, RGA director of social responsibility, said: “We are at a very exciting stage in the development of GAMSTOP.
“With the branding now established and process design well advanced, the focus in the coming months will be on technology integration and industry communication.
“We are therefore confident that we will deliver self-exclusion on the truly national scale needed to assist consumers who need this kind of help to manage their gambling.”
The RGA agreed to design and implement the self-exclusion scheme at the start of 2016 to meet the aims of the Gambling Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice under the terms of the Gambling Act 2014.
That legislation provided the framework for a national online self-exclusion scheme to be established as every operator is now subject to the Commission’s Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice.
Paul Hope, the Gambling Commission’s programme director, said: “The ability for consumers to exclude themselves from all online gambling with a single request will be a powerful tool for those that need it.
“We welcome the work the RGA is doing to develop GAMSTOP and look forward to it becoming available.”
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