GamStop Sees Record Sign-Ups Among Under-25s as Self-Exclusion Numbers Climb
2026-07-22
Source: iGaming Future
GamStop registrations surged 16% in H1 2025, led by a 26% increase among under-25s who now form the largest new-user segment, while half of all users have opted for the maximum five-year exclusion period. The scheme's leaders attribute the trend to greater awareness but also flag risks from major sporting events like the World Cup.
New data from the UK's national self-exclusion scheme GamStop reveals a 16% increase in registrations during the first half of the year, with monthly sign-ups hitting a record high in May. The number of new users choosing to block themselves from gambling platforms reached 12,236 in that month alone.
Youth Registrations Accelerate
The sharpest rise came from the under-25 demographic, whose registration rate climbed 26% compared to the same period last year. This age group now constitutes the largest single cohort among new GamStop users. Fiona Palmer, CEO of GamStop, noted that the trend reflects growing awareness of self-exclusion tools among younger consumers. "Users are continuing to find it an invaluable and flexible tool to manage their gambling," she said.
Harm Management Preferences
Younger users tend to opt for shorter self-exclusion periods, with 38% choosing the minimum six-month option. However, across the entire user base, longer-term exclusion remains predominant. Exactly half of all registered users – 614,738 individuals – have selected the maximum five-year exclusion period. Men accounted for 70% of new registrations in the period covered.
Broader Concerns Over Youth Gambling
This surge in youth registrations is part of a longer trend. In the second half of 2025, sign-ups for 16-to-24-year-olds jumped 40% year-on-year, already representing 29% of all new registrations at that time. Separate research from the UK Gambling Commission's Young People and Gambling Report 2025 found that 30% of 3,666 respondents aged 11 to 17 had used their own money to gamble, while 49% had experienced some form of gambling in the previous year.
GamStop’s Head of External Affairs, Matt Burgiss, raised concerns about the upcoming World Cup, warning that major tournaments often trigger spikes in betting activity. He cautioned that some fans may struggle to stop once gambling becomes habitual, potentially moving into higher-risk products such as online casino games. "Self-exclusion gives them the opportunity to take a break from gambling and prevent it from getting out of hand," Burgiss said, adding that he knows from personal experience how quickly gambling can negatively affect individuals and those around them.
Palmer emphasised that despite recent changes in the regulatory landscape, GamStop remains focused on collaborative harm reduction. "Our approach remains the same, which is to work collaboratively across the sector, emphasising the importance of layering tools and support, to enhance recovery for those experiencing harm," she stated.