We recently announced that from 31 March all online gambling operators must participate in the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme GAMSTOP, which will allow consumers to self-exclude from online operators with one request rather than from each operator individually
In terms of lotteries, the only lottery operators that need to participate in GAMSTOP are those licensed by the Commission who offer online Instant Win Games (and then only in relation to those games).
Online instant win games (IWGs) are games that are offered through a website where it is a requirement for the customer to have an account with the operator to play. Customers play these games online, with results confirmed instantly, and there is no physical scratch card sent to the customer.
In contrast, scratch card games are physical tickets and can be purchased from a retailer, charity etc. either remotely (over the telephone or via an online shop, where the tickets are then mailed out to the player) or in person.
It is only operators that are offering online IWGs that need to participate in GAMSTOP. The sale of physical tickets via remote means is not included in the code provision for online multi-operator self-exclusion.
Any lottery operator that is considering offering online IWGs should contact GAMSTOP (support@gamstop.co.uk) for advice and support about what they would need to do to integrate before they started to offer online IWGs.
NB: This new GAMSTOP requirement does not apply to small society lottery operators.