• Responsible Gambling & SEO Strategies

The Best Free Self-Exclusion Tools: The Intersection Between Betting Habit Control & SEO Approaches

  • Felix Rose-Collins
  • 4 min read
The Best Free Self-Exclusion Tools: The Intersection Between Betting Habit Control & SEO Approaches

Intro

In the ever-evolving landscape of online platforms, the need for effective SEO strategies is paramount. While a multitude of users engage in online activities, a significant percentage faces challenges related to irresponsible gambling behaviour.

Only in the USA, up to 6% of the population suffers from irresponsible gambling behaviour. It is a global problem that requires self-awareness and dedication from a player. Luckily, nowadays, tools facilitate this process.

Almost every country with legal gambling experiences huge losses due to irresponsible behaviour. Why not block casinos then? The thing is that no technology can fully ban online gambling until international casinos and a VPN exist. The problem is not casinos, but players who cannot manage their finances and habits. One of the leading causes is the lack of responsible gaming tools and practices. Such initiatives can inform and prevent addiction among the population. As a result – a healthy gaming environment.

Now, when countries can’t provide an overall healing tool, each gambler can make a private decision and turn on the following tools.

The Best Free Self-Exclusion Tools: The Intersection Between Betting Habit Control & SEO Approaches

Top Free Self-Exclusion Tools: Analogues in SEO Approaches

Responsible gaming tools, such as self-exclusion programs, time and deposit limitations, and external reality checks, bear resemblances to SEO practices. Just as these tools safeguard users from the pitfalls of excessive gambling, SEO strategies aim to shield websites from the negative impacts of poor visibility and ranking.

If the problem of addiction gets serious, only the full exclusion can help. Let's talk about the instruments, that can help in solving this challenge.

GamStop Like SEO Shield

GamStop is a national online self-exclusion scheme in the UK. The idea was introduced and supported by the government, so it is completely free. All UK citizens can register themselves or register their family members.

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This tool acts as an SEO shield, preventing websites from the detrimental impacts of poor search visibility. In the same way that GamStop restricts access to gambling sites, effective SEO practices restrict unwanted traffic and enhance a website's online presence.

Here is how it works:

  1. The users can apply at the official GamStop website or in offline offices.
  2. The program collects the user’s IP.
  3. After the program is turned on, the users with this IP will be restricted from visiting any casino or betting sites registered in the UK.

The good thing is that a player can select the program’s duration. GamStop can last from 6 months to 5 years straight. A shorter period is considered ineffective. To provide even more support, GamStop can help with psychological support and free help from professionals. Despite it being a non-profit, independent tool, each casino registered on the territory of the UK must follow it. After obtaining a license, a casino gives the program full access to the platform and promises not to accept program participants on the site.

There are other advantages of GamStop as well. If a player feels better, they can easily access non GamStop betting sites since the program only blocks British sites. This feature allows users to make conscious decisions.

BetBlocker: A Global Approach to Protection

BetBlocker is another free tool for responsible gaming. Unlike GamStop, it is not regulated by any government.

BetBlocker takes a global stance, mirroring the approach SEO professionals take to manage and block unwanted content globally. Its ability to block thousands of casino operators aligns with the SEO goal of filtering out irrelevant or harmful elements.

The program is international and users from all over the world can take part. For this, several steps are needed:

  1. Download the software. BetBlocker is available for smartphones, PCs, and tablets. In fact, any device with an Internet connection can participate.
  2. Install. The program is installed like any other reapplication.
  3. Set up and choose a period. After the program is activated, a user individually chooses a blocking period. Just like with other tools, it can work for a short period or years.

After that, the program will block all gambling sites and applications. Since it is an international platform, it blocks all licensed casinos from each country. It is an obvious advantage over local programs – a user can block thousands of casino operators and sports betting websites.

SpelPaus: A Regulated Guardian

SpelPaus is a Sweden self-exclusion program. It was introduced by the Swedish Gambling Authority – Spelinspektionen, to protect the local gamblers from irresponsible habits.

We can draw parallels to SEO regulations. In the same way, SEO professionals adhere to guidelines, SpelPaus enforces strict regulations for online casinos and betting operators in Sweden.

Using it, a player will be restricted from visiting any casino and sports betting operators, registered in the territory of Sweden. To register, the user should only address the local authority.

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The rules of this program are a little stricter than in other countries:

  • The program cannot be cancelled within the set period.
  • The program covers not only online casinos but all land-based gaming locations as well.
  • SpelPaus can be activated for up to 7 years, which is an unusually long period.

Being regulated by the government directly, the program has much more influence on players. Sure, it cannot cover illegal platforms or sites registered in other countries. But all local casinos and bookmakers must strictly follow its regulations.

Reality Checks

Just as gamblers benefit from reality checks between sessions, SEO practitioners implement strategies to periodically assess their website's performance. Customisable reality checks ensure that both gamblers and SEO professionals pause, evaluate, and make informed decisions.

It is proven that pauses between gambling sessions can help to behave more responsibly. If a player is not ready for self-exclusion, a reality check feature is a thing. These are special programs or inner casino features that send you a reminder to make a pause between gaming sessions.

The reality check is fully customisable. First, it is not regulated, the player decides to turn it on and off individually. Also, such tools allow you to set notifications each set period, from 10 minutes to up to an hour. Moreover, a user can cater to any tool possible. Some players set simple alarms on their phones, others use special free tools. Also, some casinos will allow you to turn on the reality check right on the gambling site.

With such a measure, the user behaves more responsibly and evaluates the current situation.

Conclusion

In the realm of responsible gaming and effective SEO, informed decisions play a pivotal role. The best practices for responsible gaming include the informed decisions of the player. No authority can fully block casinos, especially global ones. If the player is ready to solve the problem, the best tools are self-exclusion, reality checks, and deposit limits. Also, psychological support can play a significant role in healing. If you feel any signs of addiction, the best idea is to address local authorities and ask for help before the problem gets serious.

Felix Rose-Collins

Felix Rose-Collins

Ranktracker's CEO/CMO & Co-founder

Felix Rose-Collins is the Co-founder and CEO/CMO of Ranktracker. With over 15 years of SEO experience, he has single-handedly scaled the Ranktracker site to over 500,000 monthly visits, with 390,000 of these stemming from organic searches each month.

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