Paddy Power Unveils Self-Exclusion App in All UK Stores
After a successful trial in one of its regional stores, the Irish sportsbook operator announced plans to launch its online self-exclusion process across the UK.
Self-exclusion apps are seen as a way forward to prevent problem gambling. ©Paddy Power
The new online system will replace the current paper-based method which the operator sees as a forward step towards offering more protection to at-risk problem gambler customers. The new process will not only help prevent gambling in a specific store but also within the wider community.
Customers who wish to be excluded need only log in to their Paddy Power accounts via in-store tablets and opt out. The tablet will save the customer’s image and contact details and issue a system-wide notice to other bookmakers in the surrounding area of the customer’s intent to self-exclude.
The new service is deemed a more efficient way of enabling customers to exclude themselves from online gambling and comes hot on the heels of the UK Gambling Commission’s recent report outlining the steps it expects UK based operators to take, to help prevent and reduce the amount of problem gambling in the UK.
Managing Director of Retail at Paddy Power, David Newton, confirmed as much when speaking about the expansion of the online self-exclusion programme.
Providing quick support for customers who want to self-exclude is a key element of our responsible gambling agenda. We believe that this new process will make self-exclusion easier and quicker for our customers and hope that other retail betting-operators join us in providing this service.– David Newton, Managing Director of Retail, Paddy Power
The new system is expected to be in all Paddy Power UK stores by the end of June with plans to expand to Irish shops later in the year. The opt-out system was developed by the Responsible Gambling Consultancy Ltd and trialled in the south-east of England. The product is expected to be white labelled and made available to other betting operators in the UK.
