GAMSTOP search results reach all-time high in April

Google search interest in self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP has reached an all-time high in the UK during the coronavirus lockdown, EGR Intel can reveal.

Google Trends data shows the GAMSTOP search term hit peak levels on 25 April, after steadily increasing since the beginning of 2020.

The graph below represents GAMSTOP search interest on the 25^th day of each month, excluding May as the data is not yet complete for this month.

The figure rose sharply in April after GAMSTOP became a licensing requirement for UK operators from 31 March 2020.

This, combined with an uptick in online casino gambling and a shortage of sports since the UK was placed into Covid-19 lockdown on 23 March, has likely triggered the peak in search interest as consumers look to protect themselves from gambling-related harm and operators look to comply with the new regulations.

The self-exclusion scheme last month reported a rise in calls from players seeking to end their voluntary self-exclusion periods early due to coronavirus mitigation measures.

“We are concerned that, at a time when so many people are being forced to stay at home during the coronavirus lockdown, vulnerable consumers who may have an issue with their gambling might be tempted to spend money they do not have on online gambling,” GAMSTOP CEO Fiona Palmer said.

“Our focus is to help people take that first step and register with GAMSTOP, rather than putting it off while the country is in lockdown,” she added.

More than 130,000 people have registered with GAMSTOP since the scheme went live in April 2018, with 73% of sign-ups opting to self-exclude for the maximum period of five years.