GamStop Alternatives for Baltic Players

There is no denying that GamStop is one of the popular self-exclusion schemes in the global gambling industry. This UK-based blocking tool has become powerful recently and has partnered with other organisms and initiatives launched to assist problem gamblers. Nonetheless, this free service cannot be used by the Baltic players as it is only designed for GB gambling licensees. 

Since online gambling has become popular than ever in the Baltic States, millions of people are turning to gamble on web or app platforms. In fact, CasinoGap revealed casinos not on GamStop scheme that may be blocked more effectively with Baltic self-exclusion tools. The Baltics typically refer to Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania where the mobile gambling platforms are the most seductive. To reduce the rates of problem gambling in these countries, added to the regulations and approaches, here are the GamStop alternatives for Baltic players.

Latvia's Self-Exclusion Scheme

The self-exclusion programme in Latvia is among the policies that Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Authority have established to minimize the gambling harm there. Launched in January 2020, this solution is dedicated to the Latvians who want to bar themselves from the gambling websites or apps of their choice. The scheme covers both interactive and land-based activities. 

In this facility, the players who feel to have gambling problems are required to request either in person or via correspondence to be registered on an official platform of banned individuals. Actually, the interested players have to submit a written request to the regulator and precise if they want to self-exclude from land-based facilities or online sites. With this self-exclusion scheme, the users are allowed to bar themselves from gambling activities including participation in interactive lotteries and gambling for up to twelve months. 

Obviously, the purpose of this programme is not only to protect the players from the risks of gambling but also to defend the public interest to hinder too many gambling activities. With the slogan ‘to protect the public interest’, the Lotteries and Gambling Supervisory Authority gives the Latvia-based gamers to refrain from excessive gambling participations.

Lithuanian Self-Exclusion Tool

As gambling in Lithuania is legal, the operators must hold the proper licence from the regulatory authority called the Gaming Control Authority (LGSA). With the rise in gambling in this largest Baltic state, gambling addiction and associated harms have also shown a significant increase. Since a self-exclusion scheme is one of the solutions to reduce harm, Lithuania launched a tool to help players ban themselves from the gambling platforms. 

As stated by LGSA, the number of gamblers who self-banned themselves from gambling websites reached 17,348 in 2020. The good news is that the younger audiences who tend to experience gambling addiction have decided to quit gambling by using this blocking tool. As a matter of fact, with the coronavirus lockdowns, participation in online gambling has increased so the release of the self-exclusion scheme is an option to help them avoid excessive gambling. 

This rise in this self-exclusion participation includes not only the young gamers but also the women aged 31 to 40 years. The rate of women who self-prohibited themselves through this tool has increased from 7% to 10%.

Estonian Setting Restrictions on Gambling

The restriction tool on gambling in Estonia was created on 1 January 2016 to help the players who want to avoid gambling harms or those who are experiencing gambling addiction. In these ban programmes, the gamblers who register have to choose the duration of their restrictions. Actually, depending on their choice, they can be prohibited to play on gambling sites from 6 to 36 months. 

Evidently, they can no longer log in or sign up with the websites when the prohibition has been set. It is worth mentioning that once the restriction is confirmed, they cannot change it. They won’t have access to the gambling platforms of their choice until their chosen period has expired. With this scheme, the users are permitted to restrict themselves from playing the games in both land-based and internet casinos, sports betting, and classical lotteries. However, the lottery tickets are not covered by the restrictions. 

This ban is only for an individual so it is impossible to request for setting restrictions on another person like a friend or a family member. In addition to this facility, there is also an option for people who are experiencing gambling problems and those closest to them. In this package, they can benefit from support free of charge and receive assistance from consultation centres on gambling addiction.