GAMSTOP: 16-24-year-olds make up one in four new registrants
UK’s self-exclusion scheme publishes data that shows 31% year-on-year increase in under-25s signing up to register in H2 2024
GAMSTOP has revealed players aged between 16 and 24 now make up 24% of new registrations following a “surge” in self-exclusions for the younger demographic.
The UK’s self-exclusion scheme saw a 31% year-on-year (YoY) increase in players under the age of 25 registering with the scheme in H2 2024.
GAMSTOP added there was a 14% YoY increase in total registrations in the second half of the year, setting “record volumes” and defying the trend of higher registrations at the start of the year.
It was noted that last year’s sporting calendar included the summer Olympics and the men’s European Championships.
In H2 2024, 48% of GAMSTOP registrants opted for the five-year exclusion, the longest timeframe available with the scheme.
Since launching in April 2018 and up until 31 December 2024, the scheme has seen 532,484 people register.
GAMSTOP also released geographical data for the first time, showing that Hull’s HU postcode had the highest proportion of GAMSTOP registrants, equal to 1.5% of the local population.
Teesside and Sunderland were the next local areas on the list with 1.4% each. Doncaster and Blackpool made up the remainder of the top five.
Fiona Palmer, GAMSTOP CEO, noted the increase in registrations shows the need for further education and called on local authorities to help the areas where self-exclusion “has been most widely adopted”.
Palmer said: “The increase in the number of under-25s registering for GAMSTOP has become an accelerating trend, with a 31% year-on-year increase in the second half of 2024, following a 12% increase in the first half of the year.
“There is a clear need for targeted education and support aimed at this group which is why we continue to put so much emphasis on collaborating with YGAM and GamCare reaching out to students.
“We go to where they are to ensure they are aware of tools, such as self-exclusion, which can help to prevent gambling harm.
“GAMSTOP allows vulnerable consumers to take a break from gambling and we want to raise awareness of the service amongst those who need it most.
“Our detailed regional data has highlighted the postcodes where self-exclusion has been most widely adopted, and we hope this will help local authorities and other bodies to target appropriate support in the areas where the need is greatest.”
Last month, the UK self-exclusion register announced a new five-year auto renewal option following feedback from its users, alongside record registration numbers.