The UK’s national self-exclusion system, GamStop Online, has reported strong growth in registrations in the second half of 2025, with younger players comprising a significant share of new users. Data from the scheme shows wider use of harm-reduction tools across both online and retail gambling. The figures also point to increased demand for long-term protection options, including automatic renewal of exclusions.
GamStop Reports an Increase in Registrations among Young Adults in the UK: Story at a Glance
- GamStop reported a significant increase in self-exclusion registrations during H2 2025, with sign-ups from users aged 16–24 rising by 40% year-over-year (YoY). Younger players accounted for 29% of new registrations, revealing preventive use of consumer protection tools.
- While younger users favoured shorter exclusion periods, long-term exclusions remained the most common choice overall. Nearly half of all users selected a minimum five-year exclusion, with many opting for automatic renewal as a long-term safeguard.
- GamStop also expanded its reach by integrating and rebranding the retail MOSES programme as GamStop Betting Shops. It unified online and land-based self-exclusion into a single system, strengthening coverage across the UK gambling market.
Rising Self-Exclusion Among Younger Adults
GamStop Online recorded a 40% year-on-year (YoY) increase in registrations from users aged between 16 and 24 during the second half of 2025. Players in this age group accounted for 29% of all new sign-ups, indicating pre-emptive engagement with self-exclusion tools. Shorter exclusion periods were most popular among younger users, with 38% choosing a six-month block.
Meanwhile, longer exclusion periods remained the most common choice across all age groups. Data shows that 47% of users selected a minimum five-year exclusion, making it the most popular option overall. The scheme’s total user base continued to expand across all age categories.
This marks a significant shift in the UK’s online gambling sector, where black-market operators have thrived in the past. The latest report highlights that recent regulatory transformations, including tax and fee hikes, have been successful in fostering responsible gambling among younger generations.
By the end of 2025, more than 562,000 players were actively registered with the service. GamStop reported 58,675 new registrations between July and December 2025, averaging 319 people per day. Users can choose between exclusion periods of 6 months, one year, or 5 years at the time of registration.
December 2025 marked one year since GamStop introduced the option for a five-year self-exclusion with automatic renewal. GamStop describes this option as the equivalent of a lifetime block unless a user actively opts out. For the first time, more than half of users choosing a five-year exclusion also selected automatic renewal.
GamStop views this as a positive signal of long-term risk management rather than short-term control. Fiona Palmer, CEO of GamStop Online, said the trend reflects greater awareness of the need for sustained protection. The data highlights growing reliance on long-term tools.
The continued year-on-year growth in registrations highlights the increasing need for effective self-exclusion services. The rise in take-up of our auto-renewal option shows that many consumers are seeking longer-term support and recognise the value of self-exclusion in managing their gambling.
Online and Retail Self-Exclusion Systems Now Integrated
The revelation coincided with the rebranding of the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme for Betting Shops (MOSES). The scheme now operates as GamStop Betting Shops following its recent integration. The move brings online and retail self-exclusion in the UK under a single consumer protection brand.
More than 9,000 people are currently registered with GamStop Betting Shops. The scheme covers around 6,000 premises operated by more than 60 retail gambling businesses across the UK. Registration, which was previously available only by telephone, can now be completed online.
Palmer said the rebranding reflects wider changes within the organisation. Industry observers note that unified coverage reduces opportunities for users to bypass restrictions.
Palmer continued:
Our brand refresh reflects the evolution of GamStop and will deliver clarity, consistency and accessibility while preserving the trust and integrity built over the last eight years since we launched.
The figures were published alongside new Health Survey Estimates from NHS England. The survey estimates that around 5% of adults are at risk of gambling-related harm, while severe problem gambling remains just under 1%. It also highlighted gender differences, with between 3% and 7% of men showing early or moderate indicators of harm.
Although the survey did not include an age-specific breakdown, it supports a focus on early intervention. The NHS continues to shift its focus towards population-level prevention alongside specialist treatment services. Self-exclusion is increasingly viewed as a central component of the UK’s responsible gambling framework.
The latest data reiterates that self-exclusion is becoming more commonplace across gambling channels in the UK. Younger players are engaging earlier, while frequent users are opting for longer and automatically renewed exclusions. The developments suggest a gradual move towards more sustained harm-reduction practices across regulated markets in the UK.