H1 2026 Data Shows Young Adults Under 25 Are Increasingly Conscious of Online Gambling Habits
Gamstop, the UK’s national online gambling self-exclusion scheme, has revealed that May 2026 recorded the highest volume of monthly registrations in its history. The organization’s latest H1 2026 performance report indicates a major shift in demographic awareness, with adults under the age of 25 representing the fastest-growing segment taking proactive control of their online wagering behaviors.
For the first half of the year (January to June), Gamstop registered a 16% year-on-year (YoY) uptick in overall registrations. This growth was heavily anchored by May’s record-breaking figures, which stood out during an otherwise stable six-month period of consistent month-over-month sign-up metrics.
Key Takeaways
- Record Self-Exclusions: May 2026 marked Gamstop’s most active month since its 2018 launch, recording a historic 12,236 new sign-ups.
- H1 YoY Growth: Overall registrations on the self-exclusion platform rose by 16% YoY during the January–June 2026 period.
- Youth-Led Proactive Care: Sign-ups among individuals under the age of 25 surged by 26% YoY, accounting for nearly one-third of all self-exclusions in H1 2026.
- Post-Tournament Outlook: Gamstop projects that registrations in July could exceed May’s records, following historical trends where sign-ups spike after major football tournaments.
- Gender Demographics: Men continue to make up the vast majority of the program’s users, accounting for more than 70% of new registrations.
Post-Tournament Spikes and Seasonal Risks
A total of 12,236 self-exclusions were processed in May 2026 alone. However, Gamstop predicts that July’s final figures could eclipse this record. Historical data shows that registrations regularly spike immediately following major international football tournaments, particularly when England is eliminated.
Demographic and Registration Breakdown (H1 2026)
| Metric Category | Statistical Finding / Percentage | Long-Term Trend Insight |
| H1 Registration Uptick | +16% Year-on-Year | Reflects steady, widespread adoption of digital safe-play frameworks. |
| May 2026 Peak | 12,236 Sign-ups | Registered as the single most active month in the platform’s history. |
| Under-25 YoY Growth | +26% Year-on-Year | Builds on a 40% increase observed in FY25 among young players. |
| Under-25 Market Share | ~33% (1 in 3) of all exclusions | Shows a high level of risk awareness among younger adult demographics. |
| Gender Distribution | >70% Male / <30% Female | Remains highly consistent with historical data recorded since 2018. |
Matt Burgiss, Head of External Affairs at Gamstop, warned about the transition from tournament betting to other casino products:
“There is a real risk that people have increased their gambling during the World Cup and once the tournament is over, they might find it more difficult to stop or turn to online casino games and other forms of gambling. Self-exclusion gives them the opportunity to take a break from gambling and prevent it from getting out of hand. From personal experience, I know how easy it is to overlook when gambling becomes more frequent and how quickly it can start to negatively impact you and those around you.”
Younger Generations Lead Self-Protection Efforts
The sharp rise in youth self-exclusion highlights a continuing trend of younger consumers choosing to restrict their own access to betting platforms. The 26% H1 surge in under-25 sign-ups follows a 40% YoY increase recorded in the group’s FY25 annual report.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop, highlighted how the program has adapted to meet these shifting user expectations:
“The fact that self-exclusion has again increased significantly year-on-year shows that users are continuing to find it an invaluable and flexible tool to manage their gambling, particularly younger consumers. Whilst the landscape has changed significantly in recent months, our approach remains the same, which is to work collaboratively across the sector, emphasising the importance of layering tools and support, to enhance recovery for those experiencing harm.”
