Betting sites forced to join scheme to help gamblers

BETTING companies will be required to sign up to a system that allows problem gamblers to block themselves from all casino and bookmaker websites under rules to be approved by the industry regulator.

The Gambling Commission has given the green light to the move – 18 months after initially anticipated – meaning licences will only be given to operators signed up to the software, called Gamstop.

The online self-exclusion scheme allows gambling addicts to cut themselves off from all online betting for periods ranging from six months to several years.

Users register their details and select the length of time they wish to be exiled from the sites. Its roll-out was hampered at the start of the year after it emerged gamblers could change their details to sidestep the restrictions.

Gamstop was forced to admit the software was not working well enough.

The regulator subsequently demanded tougher ID and age checks for all gamblers to combat the problem.

It is understood the Gambling Commission is now satisfied that the scheme is effective, with plans to formally announce the new requirements for companies as soon as this week.

Tens of thousands of gamblers have already signed up to the service, which launched last year, with around 99 per cent of operators willing to commit to it, according to The Guardian.

Surveys carried out by the charity Gambleaware found the system appeared to be providing results, with 83 per cent of respondents saying it had helped to reduce or stop their gambling activity.

A Gambling Commission spokesman said: “We have nothing further to add at this time.”