GamStop: What You Need to Know



How the Self-Exclusion Scheme Works

GamStop is the single self-exclusion scheme covering every licensed online gambling operator in Great Britain. Register once, and you are blocked from gambling with all participating sites for a minimum of six months. It is free, confidential, and takes only a few minutes to set up. Read more about this at mobile casinos uk.

The service was launched in 2018 by the Remote Gambling Association and is now funded directly by the gambling industry and overseen by the Gambling Commission. Since launch, hundreds of thousands of players have registered, with the scheme reporting well over 100,000 active exclusions at any one time.

Registration requires your name, date of birth, address, email and mobile number. These details are matched against operator databases, so any attempt to open or use an account during your exclusion period should be refused. There is no charge and no way for an operator to override your decision.

You can extend your exclusion at any point before it expires. Extensions can run for five years, or even indefinitely if you choose. Once the minimum six months has passed, you must actively request removal , it never lapses automatically.

What GamStop Does and Does Not Cover

GamStop covers online sportsbooks, casinos, bingo sites and poker rooms licensed by the Gambling Commission. That includes virtually every household name, from the biggest bingo brands to niche slots specialists. Operators found accepting excluded players face regulatory action, which is why compliance is taken seriously.

However, the scheme does not block land-based venues. Bookmakers on the high street, casinos, adult gaming centres and bingo halls sit outside its remit. If you want to exclude from physical premises, you need to contact each venue directly or use the separate self-exclusion schemes run by trade bodies.

It also cannot stop unlicensed offshore sites, and it will not block apps or accounts opened using different personal details. Some players install blocking software alongside GamStop for a stronger barrier. Combining both approaches is widely recommended by treatment services.

GamStop also does not affect National Lottery products, including scratchcards and online lottery purchases. If lottery spending is part of your concern, you should register separately with the operator’s own self-exclusion process.

Practical Points Before You Register

Think carefully about timing. Because the minimum term is six months, registering on impulse during a losing streak commits you for a considerable period. That said, most gambling charities regard the commitment as a strength rather than a drawback , it removes the option to reverse course when temptation returns.

Before registering, withdraw any remaining balances and close accounts you no longer need. GamStop does not handle your money, so funds left in an account may need to be reclaimed directly from the operator. Most major sites process these requests within a few working days.

If you need additional support, GamStop signposts players to organisations such as GamCare and BeGambleAware, both of which offer free counselling over the phone and online. Waiting lists for NHS gambling clinics have grown, but helplines typically answer within minutes.

Finally, note that removal is not instant. Once your request is processed, it can take up to 24 hours for operators to update their systems. Plan around that window if you intend to return to gambling after your exclusion ends.