Voluntary self-exclusion approaches
Article provided by IAGR partner, Greo Evidence Insights.
Many jurisdictions are diversifying the types of legal gambling offered and expanding the number of licensed gambling operators. As a result, there is an increased need to implement responsive safer gambling measures across operators and platforms. Voluntary self-exclusion (VSE) is one such measure that allows people to choose to restrict their access to gambling in physical and online environments. These programs vary in terms of exclusion duration, from temporary pauses to permanent bans. This raises questions about VSE’s adaptability and effectiveness across different gambling settings.
Recent advancements in self-exclusion programs have focused on using new technologies to enhance their structure and effectiveness. These innovations include centralized online databases for registering self-exclusions from multiple venues and the option for external registration with authorized personnel, although this often requires in-person meetings. Despite the preference for online registration to improve convenience and privacy, especially for land-based gambling, fully online systems are still uncommon.
These considerations prompt important questions for gambling operators and regulators: What measures can gambling operators and regulators implement to assess the impact of and improve the effectiveness of VSE programs? What essential technologies and steps are needed to run an online self-exclusion system, including easy sign-up, support features, and data security? How can these programs be tailored to better suit the diverse needs of people who gamble, thereby enhancing the overall impact of safer gambling initiatives?
Recently published gambling research
Below is a selection of plain-language summaries of studies that explore self-exclusion programs:
- Breaching of voluntary self-exclusion in a national Swedish sample
- Perceptions and experiences of self-exclusion programs: A scoping review of qualitative research
- Understanding stakeholders’ perceptions of barriers to voluntary self-exclusion in Germany
- The effects of short- and long-term voluntary self-exclusions on gambling
- Clinical profile and therapy outcomes of people who have sought self-exclusion prior to seeking treatment
- Co-designing a website for self-exclusion from multiple gambling venues
Evidence-informed action
Below are several examples of VSE programs that are designed to support safer gambling. These programs offer insights into strategies for mitigating gambling-related harms. Regulators may find these examples valuable when developing or refining VSE initiatives for diverse populations.
Sweden
Spelpaus, Sweden’s centralized self-exclusion system, offered by Spelinspektionen (The Swedish Gambling Authority), has seen significant growth since it launched in 2019, registering 100,000 people by 2023, a 25% increase from the previous year. The system, integrated with all Swedish online gambling operators, provides comprehensive coverage across various gambling platforms. This ensures that people who have self-excluded are barred from accessing gambling sites and exempt from targeted marketing.
United Kingdom
The Gambling Commission requires all remote gambling operators licensed in the UK to participate in the GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. The GAMSTOP program requires identity verification and a cooling-off period before reinstatement from online gambling self-exclusion, to allow users to reassess their decision. For land-based casinos, after a six-month exclusion term, the Self Enrolment National Self-Exclusion (SENSE) scheme requires a formal request to be reinstated and a discussion with a casino manager. Similarly, the Multi Operator Self Exclusion Scheme (MOSES) coordinates self-exclusion across betting shops with mandatory staff contact and cooling-off periods, to encourage a thoughtful re-entry process.
- GAMSTOP self-exclusion scheme
- The Self Enrolment National Self-Exclusion (SENSE)
- The Multi Operator Self Exclusion scheme
United States
The Ohio self-exclusion program, collaboratively managed by the Ohio Casino Control and the Ohio Lottery Commissions, allows people to voluntarily restrict access to a wide array of gambling venues. This includes casinos, racinos, and sports gaming in Ohio, with potential applicability to affiliated properties outside of Ohio. The program offers exclusion durations of one year, five years, or a lifetime, covering various gambling facilities and activities.
The expansion of online sports betting in the United States saw 29 states offering legal betting and four more expected to launch this year. In 2023, over 75,000 people across the United States participated in self-exclusion programs amidst the rising availability of online gambling options.
- New York State’s Responsible Play Partnership VSE Support Program
- Massachusetts Gaming Commission VSE state-wide program
Australia
In Australia, BetStop provides a national self-exclusion register for interactive (online and phone) wagering with a support network for managing exclusion, including advance notification of when the exclusion will expire so that it can be renewed if desired. As well, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Gambling Exclusion Scheme allows for venue-specific exclusions. For this program, there is a seven-day cooling-off period and a guided Return to Venue Meeting, which promotes a considered approach to re-engagement.
Online self-exclusion technology
General blocking software lets people set authorizations or parental controls to prevent or monitor access to a range of websites or apps. For example, Net Nanny filters different categories of online content including gambling. It can track searches, enforce safe searches, and set alerts for flagged words like “poker” or “casino”. It can also place daily time limits on device use. Gambling-specific blocking software lets users block gambling advertising and access to gambling websites, for example:
- Gambanfor Android, Windows, iOS and macOS
- GamBlock for Android, Windows, iOS and Mac
- BetBlocker for Android, Windows, Linux, Fire OS, iOS and Mac
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