UK athletics body partners with Gamstop

The Professional Players Federation (PPF) will aim to raise awareness of the self-exclusion scheme among members and the public.

UK.- The Professional Players Federation (PPF), which represents thousands of elite athletes, is to promote Britain’s online self-exclusion scheme, Gamstop.

The body aims to promote the scheme among its members to reduce athletes’ risk of developing gambling problems.

It will also aim to raise awareness of the tool among the general public by posting information about Gamstop on its website and social media. 

The PPF comprises various professional sports bodies including the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and similar bodies that represent cricket, darts, racing and rugby.

It says the promotion of Gamstop will form part of its efforts to educate sportspeople on the risks associated with gambling.

PPF chief executive, Simon Taylor, said: “Professional athletes are at a higher risk of developing gambling problems than their peers outside of sport.

“We are therefore pleased to help promote Gamstop to make it easier for players that decide they want to self-exclude.”

As of March, British online gaming licensees must integrate with Gamstop as a condition of their licences from the Gambling Commission.

Players can register with Gamstop to exclude themselves from all gambling sites for periods of six months, a year or five years, which cannot be undone until the period expires after which players must contact Gamstop to terminate the self-exclusion.

More than 150,000 people have registered since Gamstop launched in 2018.

Fiona Palmer, chief executive of Gamstop, said: “We welcome PPF’s commitment to protecting and educating those closest to sport who might be affected by problems with their gambling.

“This partnership will help ensure that all members have the practical tools and support around them to be protected and educated.”