Online Self-Exclusion didn't work. Anything I can do?

julezmc1977 wrote:

Gamstop and the new verfication rules online will absolutely have a major effect online. In my own situation I dont gamble anywhere but online so its ideal for me but I appreciate it may drive people back to bookies. Good news is a lot of the bookies around at the moment wont be in as much numbers in future due to the new max bet.

One of the biggest problems for us unfortunate enough to be addicted to gambling is the high street bookmakers. The FOBTs, which essentially are the equivalent to on-line casinos, however, they are fixed!! The exclusion process from high street bookmakers is a shambles !! So, only half the problem has really been addressed by introducing GAMSTOP in respect of on-line exclusion.

The solution is and always has been simple! A membership system where as you have to join to place bets and use machines (in essence controls that already should be in place given the obvious epidemic). The bookmaker should issue a card (once registered), which allows you to gamble. Without it you cannot physically bet. It should link to ALL the operators so you can easily exclude from all betting outlets throughout the country. This meaning when you exclude your card is revoked and you can't get another one!!. It leaves those who want to live gamble free can do so, but offers the same betting facilities to those who wish to gamble.

The truth is the approach to helping us vulnerable problem gamblers has been an absolute shambles !

I wrote to the Gambling Commission in 2015 (January) with the idea for a one stop shop for exclusion. Here we are in 2019 and it's pretty much implemented (having seen a number of delays) in favour of the on-line operators. That's 4 years to get protection for vulnerable people put in place on-line!!

FOBTs are casinos on the high street..... replicating the most addictive casino games and they are programmed to make punters chase loses and encourage addiction to maximise profits.

I have personally stood at these terminals 1000's of times and had my money stolen. Rarely can I say I have won but as an addict I am forever chasing losses when I gamble. I wish I could have registered and excluded from all gambling in 2012 when I raised my hand and said "I don't want to to this anymore". The help available is all about managing the issue yourself !! But why should any of us have to. We didn't ask to be subjected to it and no controls were put in place to manage potential issues. We have been failed by the Government and regulators.

Good news that from April 1st the limit on FOBT roulette reduces to £2. It's just years to late for me personally as the damage is done but great for others who are still being affected.

Had they put the membership controls in place perhaps they could have kept higher stakes for those wanting to play!! But all punters I have spoken to welcome this with open arms. Why not link the machines to a live wheel rather than rinse the most vulnerable people that have been subjected to addiction at the hands of bookmakers in order for their business to maximise profits!

It's a horrible industry and it morally wrong to encourage addiction!!

I feel your pain and all I can say is cut up all cards join GAM STOP exclude from local bookmakers and from April 1st huge losses on FOBTs should be a thing of the past!!

EKGR I questioned this too. Not officially but you’re bang on!! I self excluded from U***t, who are 3****d, M*** Casino and many others (all Kendrick group and different licences) so although they know you have a problem and need help they welcome you with open arms !! I excluded with *** and didn’t complete form. In a moment of weakness manned to open that account and use credit cards spending near £XX !! I’m over it now but binge gambling should be recognised! Like if I went to the pub ordered a beer, another, another, another and another started to be unable to speak etc they would stop serving. Casinos where they receive multiple deposits !! Well that’s my point.

I would be interested to hear the outcome.