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The world has changed massively over the past couple of decades as the internet has taken hold and made everyone so connected. Gambling companies were some of the first to truly embrace the internet and to start offering leading casino games to players over the internet.

In order to try to keep up with the development of online gambling, the likes of the UK Gambling Commission have to constantly stay up to date with the latest trends in an effort to protect gamblers as much as possible.

As there has never been easier access to gambling, problem gambling rates have also naturally been on the rise. This article will highlight some of the key changes in the UK’s online gambling market in recent years, as well as the programs that are in place to help people stop gambling.

What is the UKGC

The UKGC is the body that is tasked with licensing gambling operators in the UK, as well as making sure that they are staying in line with all of the relevant rules and regulations of the sector. It regularly hands out hefty fines to errant operators, as well as introduces new measures to help promote responsible gambling.

It has a reputation for being one of the best gambling regulators in the world, being more stringent than the government of Curaçao and even the Malta Gaming Authority. As well as keeping a closer eye on operators, there are also much stricter responsible gambling control in place to protect at-risk people. This includes having restrictions such as timers on slot machines, a ban on credit card transactions, as well as non-reversible self-exclusion.

How does GamStop Work?

The UKGC does not do all of this work on its own. It is aided by helpful groups and organizations such as GamStop. This is a non-for-profit group that is running a self-exclusion scheme that covers every single one of the gambling sites that has a UKGC license. This means that with just a few clicks of a button, you will be able to block yourself gambling on any UK-licensed platform. This makes it an ideal tool for anyone who is struggling with their gambling.

One of the keys to this program is that it cannot be reversed. Therefore, problem gamblers will be in it for the long haul, with the available periods ranging from six months to three years. For anyone with a gambling addiction, it is important that they stop themselves from accessing troublesome sites and seek the help that they need to recover.

Other Resources to Aid in Problem Gambling

There are other popular resources available for people if they are looking to reign in their gambling activity, they might be struggling with their spending on gambling sites or simply want to become a bit more structured when they gamble.

There are a number of organizations in the UK that provide support for problem gamblers. These include the likes of TalkBanStop, BeGambleAware, and GamCare. You will find all sorts of useful information on the websites of these bodies, as well as the likes of helplines and support networks that can help you to get back on the right track with your gambling.

There are also numerous third-party tools that can be utilized when you look to control your gambling habits. Some of these will be software that you use that is somewhat similar to GamStop. However, the software will often block all gambling sites, whether they are UKGC-licensed platforms or non-GamStop casinos. Therefore, these types of software will often be a wider-ranging tool for blocking you from accessing gambling sites on mobile phones, tablets, and computers.

There are also adblockers that can be used to stop you from seeing gambling-related ads. These are becoming more and more common on the likes of social media, pushing pro-gambling messages to a young audience a lot of the time.

A lot of banks now allow their customers to block gambling-related transactions. This means that you will stop the funds at the source from being transferred to a gambling platform. This is a quick and easy way to stop you from spending more than what you can afford gambling.

GamStop Sites vs Casinos Not on GamStop

There is a distinction between GamStop sites and non-GamStop casino sites. The latter generally provide players with much more freedom when it comes to gambling. The former is more focused on protecting people and making sure that responsible gambling is always the ultimate goal.

You will find a good range of account restriction tools on GamStop sites, such as loss limits, deposit limits, and cool-off periods. There will also be plenty of resources available that you can get in touch with if you are struggling and need some advice. You also know that you are going to get the best attention from regulatory bodies, ensuring that whatever casino site you are using is completely above board. Finally, you have the ability to quickly self-exclude from every one of these casino sites thanks to GamStop.

For non-GamStop casinos, there is generally a greater level of freedom for players. This is because there are fewer limits on betting, transactions, and bonuses. However, these sites allow those people who are using the GamStop self-exclusion program to gamble. This uses serious concerns.

There is no body akin to GamStop available in other jurisdictions, despite some decent gambling regulators overseeing non-GamStop sites. Most of the individual platforms you come across will have their own self-exclusion offering, as well as account restriction tools if needed. You can learn more about non-GamStop casinos here.

Protecting UK players

The UK gambling market caters to a wide range of players and it is always on the ball when it comes to making sure that people are properly protected. Gambling is something that is to be enjoyed by people and done in a responsible manner.

Once people are fully aware of the common signs of problem gambling and the resources that are out there to get help, they can often have an enjoyable time using GamStop casino sites.

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