A comprehensive, impartial guide to the UK's free online self-exclusion scheme. Learn how GamStop works, who it affects, how to register, what happens when you sign up, and what your options are once your exclusion period ends.
GamStop is a free, independent self-exclusion scheme that allows people in the United Kingdom to restrict their access to online gambling. When you register with GamStop, you are blocked from using all online gambling websites and applications that are licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This includes online casinos, sports betting sites, bingo platforms, poker rooms, and the National Lottery website.
The scheme is designed as a tool for people who feel they need a break from online gambling, whether due to concerns about problem gambling or simply because they want to step away for a while. It is entirely voluntary — nobody can sign you up without your knowledge or consent.
GamStop is operated by the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited, a non-profit organisation. While it is independent from the UK Gambling Commission, all UKGC-licensed operators are legally required to participate in the scheme. This means that when you register, your exclusion should take effect across every licensed online gambling platform in the UK, not just the ones you have accounts with.
Before GamStop existed, online gambling self-exclusion in the UK was a fragmented process. If you wanted to exclude yourself from online gambling, you had to contact each operator individually, filling in separate forms and dealing with different procedures at every site. This was time-consuming, easy to circumvent, and placed an unreasonable burden on vulnerable individuals.
The UK Gambling Commission recognised this shortcoming and began working towards a centralised solution in the mid-2010s. The idea was simple: create a single registration point that would simultaneously block a person from all UKGC-licensed online gambling platforms.
GamStop officially launched on 31 March 2018 following a directive from the Gambling Commission. Initially, participation was encouraged but not mandated. However, from 31 March 2020, the Gambling Commission made it a licence condition for all online gambling operators to participate in GamStop. This meant that any UKGC-licensed site that failed to integrate with GamStop was in breach of its licence.
Since its launch, GamStop has processed hundreds of thousands of self-exclusion registrations. The scheme has been broadly welcomed by gambling harm campaigners, though it has also faced criticism for its limitations — particularly the fact that it does not cover betting shops, land-based casinos, or internationally licensed gambling sites.
In 2020, the National Lottery (operated by Allwyn, formerly Camelot) joined the GamStop scheme, meaning that self-excluded individuals can no longer play the National Lottery online. This was a significant expansion of GamStop's reach, given the Lottery's enormous player base.
GamStop operates as a centralised database that sits between you and every UKGC-licensed online gambling operator. When you register your details with GamStop, those details are shared with all participating operators, who are then required to prevent you from opening new accounts, depositing money, or placing bets.
The process relies on personal information matching. GamStop collects several data points from you — including your name, date of birth, email addresses, home address, and phone number — and cross-references these against operator databases. When a match is found, the operator must close or suspend the account.
Here is how GamStop works behind the scenes:
While GamStop is an effective deterrent, it is not a perfect system. It relies on the accuracy of the information you provide. If you register with GamStop using one email address but have gambling accounts under a different email, those accounts may not be immediately identified. For maximum effectiveness, provide all email addresses, phone numbers, and address variations you have ever used for gambling.
Registering with GamStop is straightforward and takes approximately five minutes. The service is entirely free, and you do not need to provide a reason for wanting to self-exclude.
Go to www.gamstop.co.uk and click the "Register" or "Self-Exclude" button. The website is accessible on all devices.
You will need to enter your full legal name, date of birth, current home address, email address(es), and mobile phone number. Provide every email and phone number you have ever used for gambling to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Select one of the three available periods: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. Consider carefully — you cannot change or shorten this period once confirmed.
Review your details and confirm. You will receive a confirmation email from GamStop. Your exclusion will be activated within 24 hours.
After 24 hours, try logging into any UKGC-licensed gambling site to confirm that your exclusion is active. If you can still access an account, contact GamStop immediately.
GamStop offers three fixed exclusion periods. The period you choose determines the minimum time you will be blocked from all UKGC-licensed online gambling. Understanding each option is important because the decision cannot be reversed once made.
The shortest option. Suitable if you want a temporary break from online gambling. You cannot request removal until the full 6 months have passed.
The middle option. Provides a longer period of separation from online gambling. Commonly chosen by people who want meaningful time to reassess their habits.
The longest exclusion period. Recommended for individuals who are dealing with serious gambling-related harm and want long-term protection from online gambling.
This is a personal decision that depends on your individual circumstances. Here are some things to consider:
Gambling support organisations generally recommend choosing the longest period you are comfortable with. Research suggests that short cooling-off periods are less effective at changing long-term gambling behaviour. If you are registering with GamStop because gambling is causing you harm, the 5-year option provides the strongest safeguard.
Once your GamStop registration is processed, several things happen across the online gambling landscape. Understanding these changes can help you know what to expect.
GamStop applies to all online gambling operators that hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. As of 2026, this includes over 600 online gambling brands. Essentially, if a gambling site legally targets UK customers and holds a UKGC licence, it must participate in GamStop.
No. GamStop is exclusively an online self-exclusion scheme. It does not cover physical premises such as high street betting shops (Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Betfred), land-based casinos, bingo halls, or arcades. If you want to self-exclude from physical gambling venues, you need to use different schemes:
Yes, partially. Since 2020, the National Lottery's online platform has been part of the GamStop scheme. If you register with GamStop, you will be blocked from playing the National Lottery online, including Lotto, EuroMillions, Set For Life, and instant win games on the National Lottery website and app.
However, GamStop does not prevent you from buying physical lottery tickets from a shop or newsagent. The in-store lottery terminal is separate from the online system and is not linked to GamStop.
While GamStop is a valuable tool for many people, it is important to understand its limitations. GamStop is not a comprehensive solution to gambling harm, and being aware of what it cannot do will help you make more informed decisions about your self-exclusion strategy.
If you have registered with GamStop but are still finding ways to gamble, or if you are feeling strong urges to gamble, please reach out to a professional support service. GamStop is designed to be one tool in a wider toolkit — not a standalone solution. Contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 (free, 24/7) or visit www.gamcare.org.uk for confidential support.
One of the most frequently asked questions about GamStop is whether it applies to internationally licensed gambling sites. The short answer is no.
GamStop only applies to gambling operators that hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission. Gambling sites that operate under international licences — such as those issued by the Curacao Gaming Authority, the Malta Gaming Authority (for non-UK-facing operations), or the Anjouan Offshore Finance Authority — are not members of GamStop and are not obligated to honour GamStop exclusions.
This means that individuals who have registered with GamStop can, in practice, still access these internationally licensed platforms. There is no UK law that prevents a British resident from using an offshore gambling site.
If you registered with GamStop because you have a gambling problem, using non-GamStop sites to continue gambling defeats the purpose of self-exclusion. Non-GamStop sites may offer fewer player protection tools than UKGC-licensed sites, and you will not have access to the UK's robust complaints and dispute resolution processes.
However, we recognise that some people register with GamStop for reasons other than problem gambling — perhaps impulsively, or because they wanted a temporary break rather than a permanent change. For these individuals, understanding that internationally licensed sites exist is relevant factual information.
If you do choose to play at non-GamStop gambling sites, we strongly encourage you to:
You cannot remove yourself from GamStop before your chosen exclusion period has ended. This is a deliberate and important safeguard — it prevents people from making impulsive decisions to return to gambling during a vulnerable moment.
When your exclusion period expires, GamStop does not automatically lift the restriction. Your exclusion remains in place until you actively request removal. Here is how the process works:
Your exclusion must run its full course. If you chose 6 months, you must wait the full 6 months. There are no exceptions or early exit procedures.
Once your period has expired, contact GamStop to request removal. You can do this via the GamStop website or by emailing them directly.
After you request removal, there is a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period. This gives you time to reconsider before the restriction is lifted.
After the cooling-off period, your details are removed from the GamStop database. Operators are notified, and you should be able to access your old accounts or create new ones.
Just because your exclusion period has ended does not mean you should rush to start gambling again. Take time to consider whether the circumstances that led you to register with GamStop have changed. If you are unsure, speak to a gambling support service before making a decision. You can always choose to extend your exclusion by re-registering with GamStop for a new period.
Yes. If you remove yourself from GamStop and later decide that you want to self-exclude again, you can re-register at any time. There is no limit on how many times you can register with GamStop. Each new registration starts a fresh exclusion period of your choosing.
Understanding the legal framework around GamStop helps clarify what it is and what it is not.
For operators, yes. Since March 2020, all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators are required to participate in GamStop as a condition of their licence. Failure to comply can result in regulatory action, including fines and licence revocation.
For players, no. Registering with GamStop is entirely voluntary. No one — not the government, the Gambling Commission, your bank, or anyone else — can force you to sign up for GamStop.
There is no UK law that makes it illegal for a British resident to gamble at an offshore or internationally licensed gambling site. The Gambling Act 2005 regulates operators, not individual players. While UKGC-licensed operators are prohibited from offering services to GamStop-registered individuals, there is no legal penalty for a player who chooses to use a non-UKGC site.
That said, players at non-UKGC sites do not have the same level of regulatory protection. Disputes cannot be escalated to the UK Gambling Commission, and the player protection requirements may be less stringent than those imposed by UK regulation.
GamStop processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your information is shared only with participating gambling operators for the purpose of enforcing your self-exclusion. GamStop does not sell your data or share it with third parties for marketing purposes.
GamStop is one tool among several that can help you manage your gambling. Depending on your situation, you may want to use GamStop alongside other measures, or you may prefer alternative approaches.
If gambling is causing you or someone you know harm, please reach out for support. There are several excellent, free, and confidential services available in the UK and internationally.
Problem gambling affects people from all backgrounds and walks of life. There is no shame in seeking help, and support services are staffed by trained professionals who understand gambling addiction. Taking the first step is often the hardest part — but it is also the most important.
Free, confidential advice and support. Call 0808 8020 133 (24/7) or visit gamcare.org.uk. Live chat also available.
Information, advice, and referral to treatment services. Visit gambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
International support service offering online counselling, forums, and self-help tools. Visit gamblingtherapy.org.
Residential treatment for severe gambling addiction. Offers intensive therapy programmes. Visit gordonmoody.org.uk.
If any of these apply to you, please consider contacting one of the support services listed above. Help is available, it is free, and it is confidential.
GamStop is a free self-exclusion scheme for the UK that allows individuals to restrict their access to all online gambling companies licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Once registered, you are blocked from using UKGC-licensed gambling websites and apps for a chosen period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
No. GamStop is entirely voluntary for players. You choose to register and select your own exclusion period. However, all UKGC-licensed gambling operators are required by law to participate in the scheme and honour GamStop registrations.
GamStop offers three exclusion periods: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. The minimum exclusion period is 6 months. You cannot remove yourself from GamStop before your chosen period expires, and you cannot shorten the period once it is set.
No. GamStop only covers online gambling. Physical betting shops, casinos, and bingo halls on the high street are not part of the GamStop scheme. For in-person self-exclusion from betting shops, you would need to use the SENSE scheme. Land-based casinos have their own self-exclusion programmes through the Moses scheme.
The National Lottery's online platform has been part of GamStop since 2020. If you register with GamStop, you will be blocked from playing the National Lottery online. However, you can still buy physical lottery tickets from a retail shop, as in-store purchases are not linked to GamStop.
No. GamStop only applies to gambling operators that hold a licence from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). Offshore or internationally licensed gambling sites operating under jurisdictions such as Curacao, Malta (non-UKGC), or Anjouan are not part of GamStop and are not required to block GamStop-registered users.
Visit www.gamstop.co.uk and complete the registration form. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, email addresses (all of them), home address, and phone number. Registration takes about 5 minutes and your exclusion is activated within 24 hours.
No. Once you have registered with GamStop, you cannot remove yourself until your chosen exclusion period has fully expired. This is an intentional safeguard designed to prevent impulsive decisions to resume gambling during a vulnerable moment. There are no exceptions to this rule.
When your exclusion period expires, GamStop does not automatically lift the restriction. Your exclusion remains in place until you actively contact GamStop and request removal. After you make the request, there is a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period before the restriction is actually lifted and operators are notified.
No. GamStop is an independent non-profit organisation that operates the UK's online self-exclusion scheme. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is the government regulatory body that oversees gambling in the UK. The UKGC requires all its online licensees to participate in GamStop, but GamStop itself is a separate entity with its own management and operations.
Using another person's gambling account is a serious violation of every licensed operator's terms and conditions. It could result in all winnings being voided, accounts being permanently closed, and potential legal consequences. More importantly, if you feel compelled to circumvent your self-exclusion in this way, it is a strong sign that you should seek additional support for gambling-related harm. Please contact GamCare on 0808 8020 133 for free, confidential advice.
No. Registering with GamStop has no impact on your credit score, credit history, or any financial records. GamStop does not share your information with credit reference agencies, banks, or any other financial institutions. Your registration is confidential and is only shared with UKGC-licensed gambling operators for the purpose of enforcing your exclusion.
No. Your GamStop registration is completely confidential. GamStop does not notify your employer, family members, friends, GP, or any other party. The only organisations that receive your information are UKGC-licensed gambling operators, and this is solely for the purpose of blocking your access to their platforms.
GamStop is a free, voluntary self-exclusion scheme that blocks you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling platforms. It launched in 2018 and became mandatory for operators in 2020. You can choose exclusion periods of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years, and you cannot leave early. GamStop does not cover betting shops, land-based casinos, or internationally licensed gambling sites.
If you are experiencing gambling-related harm, GamStop can be a valuable first step — but it works best when combined with professional support, gambling blocking software, and bank gambling blocks. Remember that help is available and free: call GamCare on 0808 8020 133 at any time, day or night.
If you have already registered with GamStop and are looking for information about non-GamStop gambling sites, you can view our homepage for our latest reviews and recommendations. We encourage all players to read our responsible gambling guide before playing at any gambling site.