Gamstop Reports Record Self-Exclusions from Young Players Ahead of 2026 World Cup

The UK self-exclusion platform Gamstop recorded a new high in registrations in May 2026. This all-time high occurred in the period leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It is particularly striking that more and more young people are consciously choosing to self-exclude to control their gambling behavior. Gamstop released these figures in its latest half-year report for the first half of 2026, showing a significant increase in registrations.

According to the report, registrations increased by 16% compared to the previous year. May was the most active month in the charity's history. In that month alone, 12,236 individuals registered with Gamstop. Although monthly registration numbers remained relatively consistent throughout the rest of the reporting period, Gamstop expects a further surge in July 2026, potentially surpassing May's figures. This is a known pattern observed after major football tournaments or when England is eliminated.

Numbers and facts

In the first half of 2026, Gamstop registrations saw a 16% year-on-year increase. May 2026 was the peak month with 12,236 new sign-ups. Men accounted for over seven out of ten new registrations, a consistent figure since Gamstop's inception in 2018. The largest surge in H1 sign-ups was among those under 25, with a 26% year-on-year increase. This age group now makes up almost one in three of all self-exclusions. An earlier study by Gamstop for FY25 already showed a 40% increase in self-exclusions by young people compared to the previous year. Since its launch in April 2018, nearly 532,484 people have registered with Gamstop, representing more than 1% of the entire adult population in the UK.

Matt Burgiss, Head of External Affairs at Gamstop Group, expressed concern about the trend: > “There is a real risk that people have increased their gambling during the World Cup and once the tournament is over, they might find it more difficult to stop or turn to online casino games and other forms of gambling. Self-exclusion gives them the opportunity to take a break from gambling and prevent it from getting out of hand. From personal experience, I know how easy it is to overlook when gambling becomes more frequent and how quickly it can start to negatively impact you and those around you.” - Matt Burgiss, Head of External Affairs at Gamstop Group

This observation underlines Gamstop's preventive role. Fiona Palmer, CEO of The Gamstop Group, added: > “The fact that self-exclusion has again increased significantly year-on-year shows that users are continuing to find it an invaluable and flexible tool to manage their gambling, particularly younger consumers.” - Fiona Palmer, CEO of The Gamstop Group

She also emphasized the necessity of combining various protective measures to enhance recovery for players affected by problem gambling. In the second half of 2024, 48% of registrants opted for the longest possible self-exclusion period of five years.

Background

Gamstop's figures highlight ongoing concerns about gambling-related harm, especially among young adults. The increase in self-exclusions leading up to major sporting events like the FIFA World Cup is not a new phenomenon. Such tournaments can intensify gambling behavior. This is particularly critical for young people, who are often more susceptible to problematic play patterns. The fact that a significant portion of self-exclusions extends for five years indicates a desire for long-term support. It is clear that comprehensive prevention strategies and the combination of support tools are crucial for effectively helping players.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation differs from that in the United Kingdom. While Gamstop is a nationwide system covering all licensed online providers in the UK, Germany has had the cross-state self-exclusion system OASIS since the Gambling State Treaty 2021 (GlüStV 2021). This is also a central database for self and third-party exclusion. Players who self-exclude via OASIS are banned from all legal German online gambling providers, including online slot games, online casino games with a banker, and sports betting.

The Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) licenses and regulates providers on the so-called Whitelist. Only these providers are legally allowed to offer gambling in Germany. Restrictions such as the 1 Euro per spin betting limit for online slot games and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros, monitored across states via the LUGAS system, further enhance player protection. While players can adjust these limits individually, they often need to apply for higher limits in advance and prove their financial capacity. The British example shows that despite strict regulation and self-exclusion systems, problematic gambling patterns remain a challenge, especially during major events. German players should therefore always be aware of their own limits and utilize the protective measures offered.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

GGL-licensed casinos in Germany must adhere to the strict requirements of the GlüStV 2021, including integration with OASIS and LUGAS. They are obliged to inform players about the possibility of self-exclusion and to implement it. The high registration numbers at Gamstop in the UK demonstrate the importance of such systems for player protection. Even though Germany has its own specific rules, such as the 1 Euro per spin limit for slot machines and the monthly deposit limit of 1,000 Euros, player behavior around major events could also lead to an increase in problems here.

This means a constant responsibility for GGL-licensed casinos to prevent and promptly identify problematic gambling patterns. They must train and sensitize their systems and staff accordingly. The Gamstop example illustrates that even with established protection systems, a dynamic response to events like a FIFA World Cup is necessary to effectively ensure player protection. Close cooperation with player protection organizations and continuous adaptation of measures are essential to minimize the risk of gambling-related harm.