Control your gambling
Once activated, your minimum self-exclusion period (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years) cannot be shortened. Tools like Gamban and BetBlocker install on your phone, tablet, or computer and block access to thousands of gambling websites and apps at the device level. The single biggest gap in GamStop coverage is unlicensed offshore gambling sites. If you have a balance with a bookmaker or casino at the moment of self-exclusion, that money is yours and the operator must return it. When you register, GamStop adds your details to a central database that every UKGC-licensed operator must check before allowing you to log in or open a new account. It is the single most effective tool available to anyone in Great Britain who wants to take a meaningful break from online gambling.
Non-GamStop casinos often appeal to UK players for several reasons beyond self-exclusion. These limitations do not diminish GamStop’s value, but they do highlight the importance of combining self-exclusion with other responsible gambling measures and, where appropriate, professional support. Gambling websites licensed in other jurisdictions — such as Curacao, Malta (where the operator does not also hold a UKGC licence), Gibraltar, or the Isle of Man — are not required to participate. Even after your GamStop exclusion ends, individual operators may still have their own self-exclusion policies in place. Instead of your accounts becoming accessible again on a specific date, you must actively contact GamStop to request the removal of your self-exclusion.
What Happens to Your Account
GamCare can help you navigate this process if land-based gambling is also part of your picture. If you have accounts under an address you didn’t register with GamStop, those accounts may remain accessible. At the end of your chosen period, your exclusion does not automatically lift. Once registered, you cannot reduce or cancel your exclusion before the period ends. For full protection, you should pair GamStop registration with gambling-blocking software such as Gamban, BetBlocker, or your bank’s gambling transaction block.
If you think self-exclusion could work for you, make sure you exclude yourself from all the places where you may be tempted to gamble. Responsibility for sticking with this lies with you, but you can expect the gambling operator to do all they reasonably can to help you. This means you will be refused service in the venues and on the sites you have excluded from. As you self-exclude any remaining cash balance will be transferred to your bank account or via another payment if necessary.
After you submit your request, the self-exclusion is activated and operators are required to apply restrictions. This information is used to match and block your access across participating operators. The longer the period, the more space you give yourself to reset habits and build supportive routines that do not rely on gambling. Once you register, the scheme is designed to restrict your access across participating online brands for the duration you select.
- Gambleaware are another charity that deals with gambling addiction and they have a lot of information and advice on their website.
- You cannot cancel your GamStop self-exclusion before the minimum period you selected has expired.
- MOSES (Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme) is the equivalent of GamStop for land-based gambling venues.
- You can get software that is designed to block any websites containing gambling activity, or you can get software that you can personalise yourself, so you tell it which sites to block.
If you are looking for a trusted non GamStop casino, we have tested and ranked the best options for UK players. GamStop exists to protect you during vulnerable periods. If you registered with GamStop because of a gambling addiction or financial difficulties caused by gambling, please consider carefully before seeking alternatives.
The five-year exclusion is the maximum duration and functions as a long-term separation from online gambling. GamStop is the UK’s national online self-exclusion scheme. Self-exclusion is a straightforward process that empowers individuals to take control of their gambling habits by voluntarily restricting their access to gambling platforms and venues. Online gambling platforms in the UK are legally required to offer self-exclusion options, making it easier for individuals to block their access to these sites. This article will further explore the self-exclusion process, its benefits, and how it can be applied to both online and traditional gambling environments within the United Kingdom. You should consider self-exclusion from online gambling if you find that your gambling habits are becoming difficult to control.
Warning Signs of Problem Gambling
For the full step-by-step process, see our guide on how to remove GamStop. If you do not actively contact GamStop to request removal, the exclusion extends for a further 7 years. When you register with GamStop at gamstop.co.uk, your personal details are added to a centralised database. Here, we cover the essentials within the context of the broader self-exclusion landscape.
Deciding to self-exclude from an online casino can feel like a significant step — and it is. Playing at offshore sites while self-excluded is legal in the UK but defeats the purpose of self-exclusion and means you lose UKGC consumer protections — slow payouts, withdrawal voids and unfair terms become real risks. Unlicensed offshore casinos are not bound by GAMSTOP. UKGC-licensed casinos must refund any deposits made by a GAMSTOP-registered player.
In an anonymous gambling environment there will be times when customers who have self-excluded will be able to gamble without being identified. In addition you could consider blocking software which blocks access to gambling websites. You can find out more about self-exclusion and the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme on the GambleAware website. Once you have made a self-exclusion agreement, the gambling company must close your account and return any money in your account to you. It is up to you to stick to your self-exclusion agreement, but if you try to gamble during that time the gambling business should take reasonable steps to prevent you from doing so.
If you are considering self-exclusion, you may wish to register with GAMSTOP. For more information on how to limit your exposure to ads on social media and some other online platforms please follow this link. Due to the nature of these sites, which are not linked to our membership data bases, it is not otherwise possible to prevent you from receiving or seeing gaming related messages that may be issued to friends or followers.
A player who registered because of excessive slot play will also be excluded from regulated sports betting, poker, bingo, and every other online gambling product. Six months may feel manageable at the point of registration, but it’s worth noting that the exclusion covers all UKGC online gambling — not just the site or game type that prompted the decision. However, its success largely depends on the individual’s commitment to the process and the comprehensive implementation of the exclusion measures by gambling operators. Through self-exclusion, individuals can restrict their access to both online gambling platforms and traditional gambling establishments, offering a comprehensive approach to safeguarding their well-being. Self-exclusion at Online Casinos is a vital process for promoting responsible gambling, allowing individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating in gambling activities for a specified period. GAMSTOP is a free service that enables you to self-exclude from participating online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
This will block your access to any online gambling sites and as such reduce the temptation of registering with another. For many operators there is an automatic minimum 6 months exclusion period, but you can request more. If you then attempt to access your account it will be blocked by the operator for that predetermined period of time, which is usually between six months and five years. The premise is pretty simple, in that you can choose to contact a gambling operator and block yourself from playing or betting on that site for a specific period of time. This is where the idea of being able to opt out of casino gaming comes into play, by blocking gambling sites; so let us tell you a little more about the self-exclusion process. GamStop covers every single online gambling operator licensed in Great Britain.
You can access the details of all Gambling Operators on the Gambling Commission’s Public Register. You must be of legal gambling age in your jurisdiction, typically 18, 19, or 21+. For further guidance on managing your gambling safely, visit our responsible gambling hub, and read our deposit limits guide for practical tools to stay in control.
No single self-exclusion tool covers every form of gambling. A comprehensive breakdown of every self-exclusion tool available to UK residents — from GamStop and MOSES to device-blocking software and bank gambling blocks. We strongly advise online casinos that you exclude yourself from all other forms of gambling that you may use, after enrolling onto SENSE. Information can also be found on this website about the wider help and support available for people with gambling issues and also for concerned family members or friends. You will then be excluded from every casino venue in the country. Otherwise you can enrol by visiting a casino venue in person to complete the process with a manager.
You understand and agree that if you fail to keep your Registration Data up to date, we reserve the right to do either or both of restricting your account and ending your participation in GAMSTOP. You understand and agree that you must not attempt to register for self-exclusion on anyone else’s behalf. You agree to immediately notify us of any unauthorised use of your account or any other breach of security. Failure to do so may result in your self-exclusion being less effective. It is your responsibility to keep your GAMSTOP account information up-to-date.
This is often chosen by recreational gamblers who recognise they need a break but do not consider themselves to have a severe gambling problem. The minimum period is designed for individuals who want a shorter cooling-off period. You do not need to demonstrate a gambling problem to register.
The scheme is run by the not-for-profit National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited and funded by the gambling industry. The National Gambling Helpline provides confidential information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems in England, Scotland and Wales. Open the self‑exclusion page on any UK‑licensed site, fill the form, hit confirm, and let the system do the rest.
It is considered an important harm-reduction strategy and is often used in conjunction with other measures such as counseling, financial restrictions, and support groups. It is particularly effective for those struggling with gambling addiction or those who want to take proactive steps to prevent potential gambling-related problems. Gambleaware are another charity that deals with gambling addiction and they have a lot of information and advice on their website. The company is a registered charity and the support team are all trained, experienced and professional. There are also support chat rooms, face to face counselling services, and they will have knowledge of where you can go for help in your specific area.
Self-Exclusion means you will be unable to re-access the products you have excluded from until your Self-Exclusion has expired. Do you wish to block access to gambling for 6 months to five years due to a gambling concern? Will my Self-Exclusion be extended to other operators? Gamblermaster.co.uk, like the name suggests, is a website focused on gambling online for real money. At the end of your chosen period, your registration simply expires and you may gamble again if you wish. You can find the complete list of participating operators on the official GamStop website.
You understand and agree that, during your self-exclusion, we will use reasonable efforts through GAMSTOP to prevent you from accessing any accounts you hold or attempt to open with Gambling Operators, that match your Registration Information. You understand and agree that during the registration process you must select a minimum duration for your self-exclusion (your Minimum Exclusion Period). Although you can access certain parts of our site without having to register, to be able to use GAMSTOP to self-exclude, you will need to register for your self-exclusion. It is free, covers thousands of licensed sites in a single registration, and cannot be reversed impulsively. If you are considering removing your exclusion, take time to reflect honestly on whether your relationship with gambling has genuinely changed.
