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Record sign-ups in 2021 push GAMSTOP registrants beyond 200,000
- GAMSTOP recorded its highest ever day for registrations in February 2021
- An average of 5,500 people per month have registered since launch in April 2018
- 96% keep self-exclusion in place once the initial exclusion period has expired
More than 200,000 people are now registered with GAMSTOP, the free, independent national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling, after a spike in numbers during lockdown.
Registrations in February 2021 increased 21% year-on-year, with nearly 6,500 people choosing to exclude themselves from all UK-licensed sites, which followed a 14% year-on-year increase in January when more than 7,000 people registered. There were 326 registrations on February 22nd, the highest daily figure recorded in GAMSTOP’s history.
The 200,000 landmark, which was not expected to be reached until later in the year, coincides with the first anniversary of a shake-up in the self-exclusion system. From March 31st last year it became a licensing requirement for all online operators to be registered with GAMSTOP.
According to the Gambling Commission, the total number of online bets rose by 12% from November to December 2020, and the trend towards more online gambling may be leading to more vulnerable individuals choosing to exclude themselves from all sites.
In January 2021, 49,328 GAMSTOP-excluded individuals out of a possible 177,038 attempted to gamble and were successfully blocked by the scheme. While this demonstrates the effectiveness of GAMSTOP, it also highlights that self-exclusion is not a silver bullet for those with a gambling addiction, who should always seek treatment alongside blocks they have in place.
GAMSTOP advocates a layered approach to tackling problem gambling and is collaborating with GamCare and Gamban on the TalkBanStop campaign, which promotes the use of a range of practical tools and support via The National Gambling Helpline.
Registration with GAMSTOP is free, with people asked to fill in personal details and select an exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. More than 120,000 of those who have registered chose to put in place a five-year exclusion, the longest term possible.
GAMSTOP was launched in April 2018 and, of those who chose shorter self-exclusion periods, and therefore became eligible to remove themselves from the scheme from October 2018 onwards, 96% left the exclusion in place. Since that date, 15,400 have removed their exclusion only to reinstate it.
Recently, the number of women registered with GAMSTOP surpassed 50,000, and the gender split on the scheme is 71% male, 29% female. 18-34 year-olds are the most prolific age group using GAMSTOP, accounting for 59% of all registrants.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of GAMSTOP, said: “We’re pleased that GAMSTOP is serving as an effective safety net, providing crucial breathing space to those who are struggling with their gambling. With the rate of registrants continuing to rise, I would urge anybody putting self-exclusion from online gambling in place through GAMSTOP to also seek treatment. Awareness around self-exclusion schemes and blocking software has been increasing throughout the last year, and it is important that we continue to spread the message about what help is available to those who need it most.”
Matt Blanks, 35, is a recovering gambling addict who registered with GAMSTOP after his addiction led to him trying to take his own life. He now uses his experience to help other suffering with the addiction.
He said: “Signing up to GAMSTOP was a massive relief to me. I had previously had to self-exclude with each individual operator, and would simply move onto the next site who I hadn’t self-excluded from. It was like a game of whack-a-mole, and I kept relapsing. GAMSTOP helped me self-exclude from all online gambling sites in one go, giving me space to clear my head, seek support and kickstart my recovery journey.”
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Gambling in the USA
The Plaza Hotel & Casino brings back the only All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package in Las Vegas this summer
Given its popularity for the past two summers, the Plaza Hotel & Casino is again offering Las Vegas’ only all-inclusive hotel room package starting at $104 per person per night for stays this summer.
The Plaza was the first Las Vegas property to introduce an all-inclusive hotel room package in the summer of 2024. It was so well received by guests that the iconic downtown Las Vegas property has offered it every summer since.
“We always want our guests to have a great time and feel that they are getting the best value for their vacation dollars,” said Jonathan Jossel, CEO of the Plaza Hotel & Casino. “Our all-inclusive hotel package has been created based on our guests’ feedback and offers waived resort fees, meals, bottomless drinks, and other perks to ensure they have a memorable experience.”
The Plaza’ all-inclusive hotel room package waives all resort fees, but guests still can enjoy free access to the fitness center, self-parking, and rooftop pool. The package also includes free early check-in, free bottled water, bottomless drinks from the Omaha Bar and Sports Book Bar on the casino floor, and breakfast and dinner from various dining outlets. Guests also receive a 25% discount on cocktails at the rooftop pool, because there is no better way to enjoy a summer vacation than sipping a chilled beverage poolside.
The Plaza’s all-inclusive hotel room package is available for booking online for stays June 1 through August 31 at plazahotelcasino.com/las-vegas-all-inclusive-room-package/.
The post The Plaza Hotel & Casino brings back the only All-Inclusive Hotel Room Package in Las Vegas this summer appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
Latest News
GET SET FOR GREATNESS AND THE POKERSTARS’ SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER WITH THE SCOOP WARM UP SERIES, AWARDING $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEES
With PokerStars’ iconic Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) just around the corner, poker players can get set for greatness and start strong with the SCOOP Warm Up series, which runs February 1-16 and guarantees over $10 million in prizes.
With 69 events across high and low tiers inspired by SCOOP events and formats, and buy-ins ranging from just $2.20 to $5,200, SCOOP Warm Up offers newcomers and seasoned pros the perfect opportunity to fine-tune their skills and build momentum ahead of the prestigious SCOOP series taking place this year from March 1-25.
Among the SCOOP Warm Up schedule highlights are two thrilling Main Events and an exciting lineup of Sunday action:
- $109 Sunday Special (PKO), $500,000 guaranteed, February 1
- $75 Sunday Special, $400,000 guaranteed, February 8
- $22 Mystery Sunday Special, $250,000 guaranteed, February 8
- $109 Main Event Low, $1 million guaranteed, February 15
- $1,050 Main Event High, $300,000 guaranteed, February 15
Poker players can also crank up their Warm Up game with daily challenges and claim their spot in the Main Event through the SCOOP Warm Up Ticket Machine raffle, which runs February 1 -12 and awards $200,000 in coveted SCOOP Warm Up Main Event tickets.
For a chance to scoop a ticket, players can opt in via their challenges window from February 1 and complete up to three daily challenges by playing SCOOP Warm Up tournaments:
- Play in at least one event to secure the first raffle entry
- Play in at least two events to earn the second raffle entry
- Knock out at least two players in SCOOP Warm Up events to get a third raffle entry
To find out more about SCOOP Warm Up, please visit the PokerStars website or the PokerStars Blog.
The post GET SET FOR GREATNESS AND THE POKERSTARS’ SPRING CHAMPIONSHIP OF ONLINE POKER WITH THE SCOOP WARM UP SERIES, AWARDING $10 MILLION IN GUARANTEES appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
In iGaming products, gamification often shapes how engagement is structured. Missions, level systems, progress indicators, and challenge mechanics turn gameplay into a guided journey. As responsible gaming (RG) evolves from a compliance obligation into a product design requirement, these same mechanics are being used to make RG tools more visible and easier to use—so they feel like part of the experience rather than something hidden or separate.
In this article, Atlaslive shares its perspective on how technology can support safer, more transparent player journeys.
The Shift: RG as a Core Product Function
Responsible gaming is increasingly seen as a capability the platform must deliver effectively, not just offer in theory. Features such as limit-setting, reality checks, and session breaks are expected to be easy to find, simple to understand, and accessible without friction.
For instance, the UK Gambling Commission requires financial limits and time-based controls to be available at all times, not buried in complex navigation or hidden menus. These expectations also apply to how operators present and implement RG tools, emphasizing clarity, usability, and genuine player choice rather than a box-ticking approach to compliance.
At the same time, safer play organizations stress the value of approachable support. GambleAware materials highlight player-focused tools that help users reflect on their habits, review activity, and maintain control.
Practical Applications of Gamification in RG
Gamification becomes useful in RG when it improves the visibility and approachability of these features. Structured prompts and familiar UI elements can draw attention to tools without disrupting the player experience. Gamified elements can also provide helpful context—such as time or spend snapshots and gentle check-ins—without creating alarm or discomfort.
It also supports normalization of responsible actions. Step-by-step limit setting, clear confirmations, and neutral prompts around pauses or reality checks can frame these moments as standard parts of play rather than interruptions. In this way, gamification helps position breaks and reviews as choices, not restrictions.
What to Avoid
Gamification loses its value when it drives intensity instead of control. Mechanics that create urgency or reward extended sessions and higher spending can undermine RG goals. Problems also arise when RG tools are difficult to access—when players have to search for limits or breaks—or when messaging feels overly heavy, making support features uncomfortable to use.
In short, when applied thoughtfully, gamification helps RG tools integrate naturally into the overall product experience and supports long-term player trust.
This document is provided to you for your information and discussion only. This document was based on public sources of information and was created by the Atlaslive team for marketing usage. It is not a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any gambling-related product. Nothing in this document constitutes legal or business development advice. This document has been prepared from sources Atlaslive believes to be reliable, but we do not guarantee its accuracy or completeness and do not accept liability for any loss arising from its use. Atlaslive reserves the right to remedy any errors that may be present in this document.
About Atlaslive
Atlaslive is a B2B software development company that specializes in creating a multifunctional and automated platform to optimize the workflow of sports betting and casino operators. Key components of the Atlaslive Platform include Sportsbook, Casino, Risk Management and Anti-Fraud Tools, CRM, Bonus Engine, Business Analytics, Payment Systems, and Retail Module. Follow the company on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news in iGaming technology.
The post Gamification as a Responsible Gaming Tool in iGaming Platforms appeared first on Eastern European Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
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