The UK is famous for its long history of betting traditions. Official statistics figures speak for themselves. So, in 2020, 5.3% of all UK players were involved in sports betting. If you look at the data from different years, then that figure ranged from 5-6% for the period from 2017 to 2021 to 6.6% in the period of 2017-2018. As can be seen, regardless of fluctuations, this percentage remains high. These statistics include betting sites not on GamStop and websites controlled by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
On the one hand, this is an excellent option for replenishing the budget, thanks to the taxation of official bookmakers. On the other hand, it is always associated with the risks of developing a gambling addiction. To avoid risks, it is necessary to recognize the signs of this behaviour disorder and how to deal with it.
In the UK, many players who prefer to use gambling blockers or internal self-exclusions are discovering a non GamStop sports betting experience for themselves that allows them to enjoy gambling without restrictions.
Researcher Sally M. Gainsbury writes “Self-exclusion is an extreme form of pre-commitment, in which gamblers who believe that they have a problem can voluntarily bar themselves from entering one or more gambling venues to prevent them from gambling”, so let`s consider the topic of gambling problems closer and find ways to prevent it.
How to Identify Gambling Addiction and Deal with It
While using betting platforms without GamStop, you should always monitor your behaviour and focus on its changes. Among the features you should especially pay attention to are the following:
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Chasing losses at any cost.
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Exceeding budget and time limits you set for gambling.
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Problems at work and with close ones because of gambling.
If you have noticed at least one of the features mentioned above, it is important to seek professional help and stick to the following rules:
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Admit the problem & Avoid temptation.
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Educate yourself & Avoid going alone.
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Stay busy and practice mindfulness.
Also, many betting sites offer different proprietary self-exclusion programs or (if it is a UKGC-controlled bookier) support GamStop. Below, you can learn more about the top 5 tools that help vulnerable people break the vicious circle and fully recover.
GamStop
This is a popular service available at all UKGC-based casinos. It is totally free and easy to use. All you need is to register on the site, pass the ID verification and choose the self-exclusion period, which may be 6 months, 1 year and 5 years. After confirmation, you will be added to the GamStop database for 24 hours and blocked on all sites that support GamStop.
Gamban
Gamban is another popular anti-gambling software you must download and install on your device. It was designed to block online websites and different applications, including virtual casinos, online bookies, poker games, and so on. Compared to GamStop, it is a paid software, so you should check the current pricing plans on the Gamban official website.
BetBlocker
It is a perfect pick for all players who are struggling with gambling addiction. You can easily download this app and install it in a few minutes. As in the case with most similar tools, it blocks access to multiple sites with gambling content. The service is totally funded via charitable donations, so you do not need to choose among pricing plans.
GamBlock
It is one of the most advanced software examples that blocks gambling content and features different analytical and security options. After installation, you may use a dedicated customer support service ready to help you 24/7. Thanks to cross-compatibility and deep customisation, the tool can be installed and launched on most devices with different OS.
NetNanny
Net Nanny, a content-control software, can be accessible through downloadable apps for both IOS and Android. This tool prevents you from visiting different sites with gambling content and also offers a few additional features:
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Parental control
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Profanity masking
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Screen time management
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Relome management
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Location tracking
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App blocking
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Multiple device supports
As you see, NetNanny is a full-fledged solution that helps you avoid gambling content and fully control your recovery process. Thanks to constantly updating databases, most newly launched online casinos and betting sites are added to the block list.
Final Words
Many bookmakers in the UK allow users to enjoy betting on thousands of domestic and international events. This increases bettors' involvement and has a positive effect on the country's budget. However, do not forget about the increasing risks of gambling addiction development.
To prevent this, it is necessary to carefully monitor the signs of the development of this behavioural disorder and take timely measures to deal with it. To this end, various programs and applications for self-exclusion are widely used. You can find free and paid ones with many additional options that will help you recover faster.