While some UK players are getting to know the new slots at https://www.nongamstopsites.co.uk/, and others are pondering whether it’s time to take a break from the game, others are looking for casinos not on GamStop. The emergence of this program has had a major impact on the world of virtual gambling in the UK, and the impact is not unequivocal.
What is GamStop?
If you’re new to virtual casinos, let us tell you that GamStop is a well-publicised software dedicated to fight against gambling addiction. It prevents you from logging in to any UK online gaming site or using mobile gambling apps. The main peculiarity of GamStop is that the player blocks access to casinos by himself/herself and chooses period of blocking: it may be 6 or 12 months or even 5 years. GamStop was launched not long ago – in April 2018 – but we can already say that the idea has been a success: in the year of its launch alone, 50,000 Britons turned to it. The vast majority – 83% – confirmed that GamStop was useful enough for them.
There is no need to pay or go to social services to get yourself blocked: everything happens online in a simplified way. All you have to do is open the official website and, after spending a few minutes, register there by entering your address, email and mobile number. You choose the minimum blocking period, answer a few questions to complete your identification, and within the next 24 hours you will be blocked from accessing the sites of all British-licensed online casinos.
Benefits of GamStop
Being free and easy to join GamStop is not the only advantage of this program. Its other perks include:
1. Maximum privacy. If you don’t want to advertise the fact that your gambling addiction has reached such a level that you require restriction of access to the casino, no one from your environment will know anything about it.
2. The ability to connect anytime, anywhere. No matter when you made your decision: at night or in the middle of a working day, on weekdays or on holiday, you can register on GamStop website and thus stop online gambling and you don’t have to be physically present in Britain.
3. The ability to choose the duration of the blockage yourself. This is one of the most convenient features of the program, because not everyone is ready to give up gambling for a long period of time.
4. Psychological aspects. It is no secret that one of the problems of gambling addicts is a sense of loss of control over their lives. Gamestop gives them back this feeling as well as self-respect: they feel they have managed to control their urge to gamble – albeit temporarily. It is a good moment for a psychological reset and a fresh start.
Disadvantages of GamStop
As with any addiction control tool, GamStop is not without its downsides. There are fewer of them than there are pros, but they are there nonetheless. We’re talking about:
1. lack of responsibility for your funds left on deposit at the casino. The website states that the online casino administration is obliged to refund you your money, but the refund algorithm depends on the policy of the gambling establishment, and GamStop has nothing to do with this process. All the problems associated with refunds fall on your shoulders, and if you didn’t think before registering to withdraw all the money from the casino account or card, you are waiting for a lot of trouble.
2. Not being able to change your mind. Yes, this comes as an unpleasant surprise to many: registering with GamStop is kind of a single ticket. If you want to cancel your blocking, you won’t be able to do so. Access to the casino will be blocked for exactly as long as you have specified.
3. No automatic end of the blocking. When the period comes to an end, do not expect that you immediately get access to all virtual gambling establishments: you have to go back to the site and remind yourself that the blocking time has expired. By the way, even after your profile is deleted, your data will be stored in GamStop for 7 years.
Why do players want to bypass Gamestop?
We can assume that the disadvantages discussed above make players frustrated with GamStop, but it’s not just about them. Gamestop is just a tool, and it is powerless if a person is not psychologically mature enough to give up gambling. The decision is often made in the heat of the moment, under the influence of random factors, and the player is not always aware of its consequences. If the player’s mood changes, he has no choice but to look for workarounds, the good news is that it is not that difficult. Since the software only works with UK-licensed gaming portals, those wishing to find Starburst not on Gamstop (or any other slot) need only choose a casino licensed in any other country – and they can indulge in the excitement again.
Thus, Gamstop is analogous to the ban on land-based casinos, with the difference that the player closes his own access and online. In the virtual world, however, any blockage can be bypassed, so it is not enough to stop gambling: you need motivation and willpower to do so.