GamStop and self-exclusion: how it works
How to exclude yourself from every UK-licensed gambling site at once, what GamStop covers and does not, how long it lasts, and the tools that go with it.
GamStop is the free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling in Great Britain. Registering blocks you from opening or using an account with any Gambling Commission licensee for the period you choose.
How it works
You register at gamstop.co.uk with your name, date of birth, address and email, and choose six months, one year or five years. Licensed operators check every registration and login against the database and must refuse you. The exclusion cannot be lifted early; at the end of the period it stays in place until you ask for it to be removed, with a 24-hour cooling-off.
What it does not cover
Land-based betting shops and casinos (they have their own schemes, MOSES for shops and SENSE for casinos), the National Lottery, and any site not licensed by the Commission. Sites that advertise as “not on GamStop” are unlicensed for Britain and are breaking the law by taking your bets.
Other tools
Bank gambling blocks, which most UK banks offer in the app with a cooling-off period. Gamban and similar software that blocks gambling sites and apps on your devices. Operator-level tools: deposit limits, time-outs of up to six weeks, and reality checks.
Help
The National Gambling Helpline is on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, run by GamCare. See our safer gambling page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel GamStop early?
No. Once registered, the exclusion runs for the full period you chose. This is deliberate.
Does GamStop cover betting shops?
No. Shops use the MOSES scheme and casinos use SENSE; GamStop covers online sites licensed by the Gambling Commission.