What Gamstop Does and Who It Covers

Gamstop is the national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain, operated by GAMSTOP Limited and funded by the licensed industry. Since launching in 2018, it has registered well over 400,000 people, with more than 100,000 new sign-ups recorded in some twelve-month periods. The scheme is free and takes only a few minutes to activate. Read more about this at 150FreeSpins minimum deposit casino uk.

Registration covers every gambling operator licensed by the Gambling Commission that offers remote services , that includes casino sites, sportsbooks, bingo rooms and poker platforms. Once your details are on the register, those operators are required to block your accounts and marketing emails.

It is important to understand the scope. Gamstop does not cover land-based venues such as betting shops or casinos, nor does it block unlicensed operators. It also does not stop you opening accounts where a different email address is used , which is exactly why the scheme works best alongside other controls.

The minimum exclusion period is six months. You choose the duration at sign-up: six months, one year, or five years. Shorter periods are not available, and the decision cannot be reversed early under any circumstances.

Setting Up Self-Exclusion Step by Step

Registration is completed online at the Gamstop website. You will need your full name, date of birth, home address and at least one email address. The system runs a soft identity check against credit reference data, which does not affect your credit score.

You should register every email address you have used with a gambling site. If you use several, list them all , a missed address is the most common reason blocks fail. The same applies to mobile numbers linked to betting accounts.

Once confirmed, the block usually goes live within 24 hours. During that window, contact each operator directly and ask for a manual account closure, then remove saved payment details from your devices.

Separately, most UK-licensed sites offer their own self-exclusion tools. These are shorter-term and operator-specific: typically a minimum of six months on that single brand. Use both , Gamstop for the blanket block, operator tools for immediate action while the register updates.

For those who want a breathing space rather than a full exclusion, a timeout of 24 hours to six weeks is available directly from each operator. It is a useful first step before committing to the longer Gamstop period.

Making the Block Stick and Finding Support

Gamstop stops licensed sites, but blocking software adds another layer. Free tools such as Gamban, and bank-level controls from several UK banks and building societies, can block payments to gambling merchants entirely. Combining a Gamstop registration with a payment block catches far more than either alone.

Gambling management tools in banking apps are also worth switching on. Many major UK banks now let you freeze gambling transactions in seconds from the app , a practical backstop if a new site slips through.

Support is available throughout. GamCare runs a free helpline on 0808 8020 133, open every day, and offers one-to-one counselling. StepChange and the National Debtline can help if gambling has affected your finances. For treatment, the NHS National Gambling Clinic provides free specialist care.

Finally, remember the exit process: when your exclusion ends, you must contact Gamstop directly to have it removed , it does not lapse automatically. Take that moment to review your bank blocks and support arrangements before deciding whether to return.