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GAMSTOP is putting vulnerable online consumers back in control
More than eight out of ten (82%) consumers have stopped or reduced their gambling since registering with GAMSTOP, according to the first independent evaluation of the UK’s online self-exclusion scheme.
The report by research consultancy Sonnet, based on surveys of more than 3,300 users and in-depth interviews, found that 84% felt safer from gambling-related harm and more in control of their gambling after registering with GAMSTOP. Eight out of ten (80%) said that the self-exclusion scheme had delivered on their intended outcomes, whether they wanted to stop gambling completely, reduce their gambling or simply to take a short break.
Although financial losses were often an important trigger for registering with GAMSTOP, consumers also reported significant improvements in their well-being:
- 77% felt more in control of their personal or household finances
- 72% reported improvements in their levels of anxiety and stress
- 63% enjoyed an improvement in the quality of their family relationships
- 60% found they were better able to focus at work
- 40% reported they were consuming less alcohol
The report’s recommendations include:
- Longer self-exclusion periods – currently, the maximum self-exclusion is five years, which had been selected by 71% of consumers surveyed, but four out of ten wanted the option of excluding themselves from all online gambling for longer
- Helping consumers to access specialist support – 53% of GAMSTOP’s users have not previously used gambling-related support services so the scheme can be a bridge to other organisations offering help with gambling addiction by working more closely with them
- Actively engaging with family and friends of consumers – only 28% of consumers were supported by friends or family, with many too embarrassed or ashamed to seek help, so raising awareness of the service among those affected by a loved one’s gambling will provide a broader support network for consumers and their families
- Responding to the threat posed by unlicensed gambling websites – The scheme’s users are deliberately targeted by unlicensed sites – an issue highlighted in GAMSTOP’s response to the DCMS Gambling Act review – and 10% reported accessing them while self-excluded so greater controls on these sites are required to prevent them being exposed to temptation
- More research into the harmful effects of advertising – consumers consistently expressed their frustration at being exposed to gambling advertising and wanted greater protection
More than 200,000 consumers have registered with GAMSTOP since the scheme’s inception in 2018. The report found that GAMSTOP had reached a broad cross-section of the population across all demographic groups.
Women aged over 44 were identified as an important demographic, making up 53% of all women surveyed, and the report recommends reaching out to older age groups more generally, together with specific initiatives aimed at people with below national average income. It advocates a marketing strategy to target high-risk groups, making the service more visible through online searches and on operators’ websites.
The report concludes:
“This study shows very strongly that GAMSTOP is successfully achieving a reduction in gambling-related harm with far-reaching positive impacts for consumers being clearly shown in our interviews and survey… Our findings show that GAMSTOP is effective across all age groups, gender groups and, importantly, for all types of online gambling.
The vast majority (of consumers) report a very positive experience of using the service, and our research highlights that it is effective both in terms of delivering consumers’ objectives but also in alleviating a wide range of gambling-related harms”.
An office worker in his 30s, who was spending up to £300 per spin on online slot machines and ran up debts of more than £10,000, registered with GAMSTOP after his partner left him and he feared losing his job. He told researchers that, having self-excluded for five years, he felt safe from temptation during lockdown and has stopped gambling completely. He is now paying back his debts to family and friends and said: “I think this service saved my life. Best thing I ever did is cancel my demons by using this amazing service”.
A delivery driver in her mid-twenties, who was spending almost her entire weekly wage on gambling, and had tried self-excluding from individual websites, found that registering with GAMSTOP helped her take control of her gambling. She is getting married this year and has built up her savings. With the support of her family and partner, she has restricted herself to the occasional £5 bet on football at high street bookmakers and intends to renew her self-exclusion every five years to resist the temptation of betting online.
She said: “The last year I haven’t gambled at all, it was hard at first but now I don’t miss it and the money I have saved is unbelievable”.
Fiona Palmer, chief executive of GAMSTOP, said:
“We are grateful to Sonnet for carrying out this very detailed evaluation of the service and are studying their recommendations carefully. We are delighted to know that vulnerable consumers who have registered with GAMSTOP have found it has helped them control their gambling and made a positive impact on their lives.
The insights in this report are extremely helpful and we welcome the opportunity to look at all suggestions for further improvements to the service, including extending the length of the maximum exclusion period to give them peace of mind that they will benefit from the long-term protection that GAMSTOP provides”.
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affiliate marketing
Regulated iGaming markets push operators toward audit-ready affiliate tracking
As regulators scrutinise AML, RG and advertising, operators face rising pressure to validate attribution and partner payouts end to end.
Growing regulation in iGaming is changing how operators manage affiliates, track player acquisition, and control partner payouts, according to a new statement from affiliate platform provider Affnook.
The company argues that in regulated markets affiliates are increasingly treated as an extension of an operator’s marketing activity, raising the stakes for oversight in areas such as affiliate advertising practices, responsible gambling controls, anti-money laundering (AML) and data privacy. The release points to the Danish Gambling Authority as one example of a regulator highlighting potential AML risks linked to affiliate partnerships and urging operators to strengthen risk assessments across third-party acquisition channels.
Affnook says the industry is moving away from “Trust Me” affiliate reporting as stakeholders demand performance data and revenue attribution that can be independently verified. It lists audit-ready reporting, verifiable revenue attribution, transparency into tracking and commission calculations, and consistent reporting standards as key expectations in more heavily regulated environments.
The company also frames financial governance as a parallel priority to tracking, citing the need for net gaming revenue (NGR) verification, commission accuracy, invoice reconciliation and payment oversight. It adds that multi-touch player journeys and reduced effectiveness of cookie-based attribution are widening “attribution blind spots,” which can fuel partner disputes, weaken decision-making and complicate compliance reviews.
In the release, Affnook positions platform features such as audit logs, partner activity monitoring, consent-aware tracking, real-time commission calculations and server-to-server tracking as the types of capabilities operators should evaluate as regulatory expectations increase.
The post Regulated iGaming markets push operators toward audit-ready affiliate tracking appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alberta
Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators
Supplier expands to its third regulated Canadian province after Ontario and Québec, launching on Alberta’s market opening week.
Play’n GO has entered the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, launching its casino games with more than ten licensed operators on the market’s opening week, the supplier said on 16 July 2026.
The Alberta rollout marks Play’n GO’s third regulated Canadian province, following Ontario and Québec, and extends the company’s North American regulated-market footprint.
According to the company, its content was made available in Alberta for the first time on launch day via a network of licensed operators.
Esteban Perez, New Market Entry Lead at Play’n GO said: “Entering Alberta with more than 10 operators on day one of regulation is a significant milestone for Play’n GO and a testament to the strength of our regulated market strategy. Canada continues to be a key focus for us, and expanding into our third province reflects both the demand for our content and the strength of our partnerships with licensed operators.
“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”
The post Play’n GO goes live in Alberta iGaming with 10+ operators appeared first on EE Gaming | Global iGaming & Tech Intelligence Hub.
Alberta
Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry
The Swedish gaming giant confirms its entry into its third regulated Canadian Province with its industry leading portfolio of games now available in Alberta for the first time
Play’n GO, the world’s leading casino entertainment provider, today announced its successful entry into the newly regulated Alberta iGaming market, with a wide range of its premium content going live with more than ten licensed operators on market launch day this week.
The milestone further reinforces Play’n GO’s commitment to regulated market expansion across North America and marks the company’s third Canadian province, following established operations in Ontario and Québec.
Play’n GO’s launch in Alberta ensures players have immediate access to a portfolio of world-class titles from day one of the market’s regulated opening. By partnering with a broad network of licensed operators at launch, the company has solidified its position as a trusted supplier in newly regulated jurisdictions.
The Alberta rollout builds on Play’n GO’s strong track record of working alongside regulators and operators to deliver safe, compliant, and high-quality entertainment to players, while supporting sustainable market growth.
Esteban Perez, New Market Entry Lead at Play’n GO said: “Entering Alberta with more than 10 operators on day one of regulation is a significant milestone for Play’n GO and a testament to the strength of our regulated market strategy. Canada continues to be a key focus for us, and expanding into our third province reflects both the demand for our content and the strength of our partnerships with licensed operators.
“We are proud to support Alberta’s regulated market with a portfolio that prioritises entertainment, compliance and long-term sustainability.”
To find out more about Play’n GO, please visit playngo.com
The post Play’n GO strengthens Canadian footprint with Alberta iGaming market entry appeared first on Americas iGaming & Sports Betting News.
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