GamStop Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and How to Self-Exclude

Full explainer on GamStop, the UK national self-exclusion scheme. Learn how to register, what it covers, and how to manage your self-exclusion period.

beginner6 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026Editorial Team
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Editorial Team

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Key Takeaways

  • ✓GamStop is the free national self-exclusion scheme that blocks you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling sites.
  • ✓Registration takes about five minutes and you choose a period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
  • ✓Once active, all UKGC-licensed online operators must close your accounts and refuse new registrations.
  • ✓GamStop covers online gambling only — it does not cover betting shops, casinos, or the National Lottery.
  • ✓Self-exclusion cannot be reversed early; you must wait for your chosen period to end before reactivating.

GamStop is the UK's national self-exclusion tool for online gambling. If you feel your betting is becoming harmful, GamStop provides a single registration that blocks you from every UKGC-licensed online gambling operator simultaneously.

What GamStop Does

When you register with GamStop, every UKGC-licensed online operator — bookmakers, casinos, bingo sites, and poker rooms — is required to:

  1. Close your active accounts within the timeframe specified by the UKGC
  2. Block new account registrations using your personal details
  3. Remove you from marketing communications including email, SMS, and push notifications

The scheme is operated by the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited and is free to use.

How to Register

  1. Visit gamstop.co.uk
  2. Click "Register" and provide your personal details
  3. Choose your self-exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years
  4. Confirm your registration

The process takes approximately five minutes. Operators begin blocking your accounts within 24 hours, though full implementation across all sites may take slightly longer.

What GamStop Covers — and What It Does Not

Covered:

  • All UKGC-licensed online bookmakers
  • Online casinos, poker rooms, and bingo sites
  • Gambling apps from licensed operators

Not covered:

  • Land-based betting shops (use the SENSE multi-operator scheme instead)
  • Land-based casinos (use individual or local scheme exclusion)
  • The National Lottery (contact Camelot/Allwyn directly)
  • Operators not licensed by the UKGC (unlicensed offshore sites)

The Self-Exclusion Period

Your chosen period is binding. Once activated:

  • You cannot shorten or cancel the exclusion
  • After the period ends, exclusion does not lift automatically — you must contact GamStop to request removal
  • A 24-hour cooling-off period applies after requesting removal before you can gamble again

This irreversibility is intentional. It prevents impulsive decisions to return to gambling during vulnerable moments.

After Self-Exclusion

When your self-exclusion period ends and you choose to return:

  • Contact GamStop to request removal
  • Wait 24 hours before accessing any gambling site
  • Consider whether the issues that led to self-exclusion have been addressed
  • If you do return, set strict deposit limits and use responsible gambling tools

GamStop exists because responsible gambling matters. There is no shame in using it — it is a sign of taking control.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is GamStop?+
GamStop is the UK's free national online self-exclusion scheme. When you register, all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators are required to close your active accounts and prevent you from opening new ones for your chosen exclusion period.
How do I register with GamStop?+
Visit gamstop.co.uk and complete the registration form with your personal details (name, date of birth, email, address, and phone number). You then choose an exclusion period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Registration is free and takes approximately five minutes.
Does GamStop cover all gambling?+
GamStop covers all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators. It does not cover land-based betting shops, casinos, bingo halls, or the National Lottery. For land-based exclusion, you can use individual operator self-exclusion or multi-operator schemes like SENSE for betting shops.
Can I cancel my GamStop self-exclusion early?+
No. Once your self-exclusion period is active, it cannot be reversed or shortened. This is a deliberate feature designed to protect you during vulnerable periods. After your chosen period ends, you must actively contact GamStop to request removal — it does not lift automatically.
What happens to my existing bets when I register with GamStop?+
Operators must close your account as soon as technically possible after receiving your GamStop registration. Any existing open bets are typically settled according to the operator's terms, and remaining balances are returned to you.

Bet Responsibly

Gambling should be fun. If it stops being fun, get help: BeGambleAware, GamStop

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