Football and gambling have been linked virtually since the start, and gambling has taken over a huge part of the business. Not just among the crowd that it gained popularity, but also on the playing fields. In response to the rising number of cases of online problem gambling, British players started to look for ways of self-exclusion. As a response to this need, GamStop, a self-exclusion program, was developed. Currently, about 58% of the users have fixated upon excluding themselves for 5 years. This reflects the fact that how severe these gambling addictions can be.

The Relationship Between Football and Gambling

The root of modern betting in the UK in its relation to football can be traced back to England in the mid-19th century when it was a popular pastime for the working classes. It was to let out all their stress after a long day at work.

With time the sport rose in popularity as a result of UEFA’s efforts to promote it. This is also because of the technological advancements in broadcasting, and bookmakers willingly became a part of it. Even various betting businesses attempted to make investments in football teams. Teams began to get sponsorship from prominent bookmakers, who became their largest contributors in the majority of situations.

The symbiotic relationship was further encouraged by the British habit of betting, making football the most popular sport in the country. The partnership has proven to be beneficial for both parties making it closely intertwined. Organizations were able to construct local and even multinational tournaments because of big television, such as the Premier League, Champions League, and World Cup. 

As new leagues spring up throughout the world, British bettors now have access to a greater range of markets to wager on, as well as leagues with significant investment. It is really easy these days to find an operator like Rolletto providing betting services, read reviews about it, make an informed choice about a gaming operator based on this information, and start winning money on the results of football matches.

What’s the Problem With Betting on Football?

With sportsbooks being exposed to a variety of markets to bet on and clients seeking more activity and excitement, in-game betting has gained popularity among fans. The fact that these football fans have a high-risk appetite creates a market for the betting business to expand. With its emotional intensity and unpredictability, football has become one of the most popular sports to bet on. So, what’s wrong with it?

There are three factors that make it an issue: 

• The probability to win large sums of money with minimum efforts
• Adrenaline and dopamine rush that gamblers experience during the process
• Mobile gaming makes football betting even more simple and more accessible. 

The combination of these factors makes betting on football a direct way to develop various forms of problematic gambling and even gambling addiction. 

With instant credit card access and quick access to internet gambling, the combination has resulted in frequent cases of problem gambling instances. The addictive nature of sports betting negatively impacts the performance of bettors, potentially jeopardizing their careers.

GamStop and its Influence on British Football

Gamstop is a dedicated self-exclusion program designed to help problem gamblers and those at risk of becoming problem gamblers by keeping away from betting and establishing a barrier to help them cool off their urges. The exclusion period is however dependent on the severity of addiction and can vary between 6 months to 5 years. For UK bettors it is available free of cost and people can register in a jiffy. 

For many Gamstop users, the program has been an essential part of their road to the recovery process. There are also many reliable operators for GamStop users for those who have already recovered but are still on self-exclusion. GamStop was founded in response to the UK Gambling Commission’s concerns about the addictive and all-consuming nature of online gambling and the necessity for gamblers at risk to have time apart to recover.

Concluding Thoughts

Despite the fact that sports betting has become a cornerstone of football over the years, its presence and normalcy have drained the attention of its fans and even the dedication of its players. Gamstop has proven to be a trusted resource for individuals seeking assistance, supporting them during difficult times in the same way that players and football followers have supported their favourite teams.