MyStake - Advertising on 'NotGamstop'

Hi. I'm a problem gambler. Have been for 9 years now. Was clean for the last 5 years as a result of signing up for Gamstop, a UK service to completely self-exclude from gambling sites.

I've recently discovered MyStake.com and although I've only lost £3k. It feels like I've lost my self-respect, dignity and my mental health... well it no longer exists!

I stumbled across their website after clicking on an advert from 'Notgamstop.com'... literally 'Not Gamstop'.

The purpose of this site? Purely to advertise websites that do not comply with Gamstop and allow problem gamblers to sign up.

The betting companies listed then pay affiliate income for any referrals made.

So effectively, they're paying to get problem gamblers signed up to their site.

This is how they lured me in... and all I want to do is get out.

I want my money back, but I also want to be self-excluded worldwide. Is this activity even legal?

What makes it worse is that MyStake's team are so rude and now completely non-responsive.

Has anyone else had similar experiences?

Hello. I am really sorry about this situation, and also that unfortunately there are some other ways, like this one, to get to the gambling sites in your country. I can understand, that it must be really challenging for everyone. The MyStake Casino does not have an UK license though, so that is why players on Gamstop are able to register. Unfortunately, I can say, especially when seeing your case now. Can I say, regarding to that website, you are talking about, I really do not understand the purpose.🤔 Well except of making money of course, which nowadays seems to be like the most important thing, and just a small number of the people look and take into consideration your health. Right? I am really not sure, if you can call it illegal though.🤷‍♀️

I hope you will be able to get yourself some help, to get this under control. If you're interested, we have a list of some help centers available in your country. I will put the link here, just in case. All the best to you, always.🍀

Hey Romi, if I understand the law around this correctly. It's not illegal to accept players that come to your website organically.

However, if a gambling site is to advertise they must register with the UK Gambling Commission if they are to advertise towards UK individuals.

MyStake.com are paying notgamstop.com affiliate income for every referral they send their way. To the point that MyStake.com have even listed them on their 'Affiliate' page as a testmonial: https://m.mystake.com/en/static/affiliate

Affiliate marketing, is marketing. Gamstop is a UK organisation, and 'Not Gamstop' is targeting UK individuals. As a result MyStake.com are paying to market to UK individuals.

I'm fairly certain this breaks the law.

In this case, to really understand the law, or to ensure you if it is somehow breaking the low, we can not be of any help, simply because we are not lawyers. We do not work in that industry, you know. Therefore I am really sorry, that can to give you any advice, accept the ones within our topics on the website and our forum, of course. I do understand your point and your concern here, though. Please try stay as safe as possible, and whenever you need some help, we are here.