GAMSTOP guide
This GAMSTOP guide covers the free UK scheme that blocks you from every gambling website and app licensed in Great Britain for a period you choose, from 6 months to 5 years. Once registered you cannot cancel early, and every licensed online operator has had to take part since 31 March 2020.
By the BonusKing editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- GAMSTOP is free and covers every online gambling business licensed in Great Britain.
- You choose 6 months to 5 years; it cannot be cancelled early and can be set to renew.
- After the period ends, the exclusion stays until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it.
- It does not cover betting shops, venues, draw lotteries such as Lotto, or unlicensed offshore sites.
- Pairing GAMSTOP with a bank gambling block and blocking software closes most of the gaps.
- Run by
- The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited
- Cost
- Free
- Periods
- 6 months to 5 years, can renew
- Cancel early?
- No
- Compulsory for operators
- Since 31 March 2020 (LCCP 3.5.5)
GAMSTOP explained: one sign-up, every licensed site
GAMSTOP is the national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Instead of contacting dozens of casinos, bookmakers and bingo sites one by one, you register once and every operator holding a Gambling Commission online licence must keep you out for the period you pick.
It is run by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited, and it costs nothing to use. Taking part is compulsory for licensed online operators, which is what makes it so much stronger than excluding from sites individually. You can read the scheme's own description on GAMSTOP's about page (opens in a new tab).
GAMSTOP is one form of self-exclusion. If you want a break of days or weeks rather than months, a time-out with a single operator may suit better.
GAMSTOP at a glance: periods, cost and rules
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who can use it? | Anyone wanting to stop gambling online with GB-licensed operators |
| What does it cost? | Nothing; the scheme is free |
| How long can I choose? | From 6 months up to 5 years |
| Can it renew? | Yes, it can be set to renew |
| Can I end it early? | No, not during the chosen period |
| What happens at the end? | It stays active until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it |
| Which operators must join? | Every online operator licensed by the Gambling Commission |
| What does an operator do? | Refuses service, closes accounts, returns funds, stops marketing |
Talking to someone at the same time makes self-exclusion more effective. The National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is on 0808 8020 133, free and 24/7.
How to register with GAMSTOP, step by step
Registration happens online through the official site. Only use the real address, gamstop.co.uk (opens in a new tab); be wary of anything else claiming to offer the same thing.
- Before you start, note the names, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers you have used on gambling accounts, including old ones.
- Go to the GAMSTOP website and choose to register.
- Fill in the personal details requested, giving every email and address variant you have used so operators can match you.
- Select your exclusion length, from 6 months to 5 years.
- Confirm your registration and keep the confirmation for your records.
- Set up a bank gambling block and blocking software as extra layers while the exclusion beds in.
What changes on gambling sites once GAMSTOP is active
Once your registration takes effect, licensed online operators must treat you as self-excluded. Under the Commission's remote self-exclusion code, that means they refuse service so you cannot deposit or play, close any account you hold, return the money in it, take you off marketing lists within two days and point you towards support.
In practice you may find that a login fails, or a message tells you the account is closed due to self-exclusion. If you try to open a new account at a licensed site, the operator should refuse service. For more on money left in accounts, see our answer on your balance when you self-exclude, and for the wider picture of when operators can close accounts, our answer to can a casino stop me from playing.
What GAMSTOP covers and what it does not
GAMSTOP is powerful within its lane, and it helps to know where that lane ends.
| Type of gambling | Blocked by GAMSTOP? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online casino, slots and live casino (GB-licensed) | Yes | All licensed online operators must take part |
| Online betting and bingo (GB-licensed) | Yes | Same duty applies |
| Instant-win lottery games online | Yes | Blocked under the scheme |
| Draw lotteries such as Lotto | No | Draw-based games are not covered |
| Betting shops, casinos, arcades, bingo halls | No | Land-based venues run separate schemes |
| Unlicensed offshore sites | No | Not part of the scheme and offer no UK protection |
GAMSTOP applies to operators licensed in Great Britain. Northern Ireland has different gambling law, explained on our Northern Ireland gambling law page.
Why every UK-licensed site must join GAMSTOP
Before 2020, operators could choose whether to take part. The Gambling Commission announced on 14 January 2020 that participation would become compulsory, and from 31 March 2020 every online operator had to join. The Commission's announcement on mandatory GAMSTOP participation (opens in a new tab) set out the change, and LCCP 3.5.5 (opens in a new tab) now says licensees must participate in the national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 14 January 2020 | Commission announces compulsory participation |
| 31 March 2020 | All online operators must take part in GAMSTOP |
| November 2022 | The Commission suspends LEBOM Limited for failing to participate |
That suspension, described in the Commission's notice on LEBOM Limited (opens in a new tab), shows the rule is enforced. Our pages on the LCCP and the Gambling Commission explain how the licence conditions work.
Closing the gaps GAMSTOP leaves
Because GAMSTOP works by matching your details with licensed operators, it cannot stop a payment or a website on its own. Two extra tools cover that ground.
- Bank gambling blocks. Several UK banks, including Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, NatWest, Santander and Starling, let you block card payments to gambling merchants from your app. Some add a delay before a block can be lifted. See our bank gambling blocks guide.
- Blocking software. Apps such as Gamban (opens in a new tab) block gambling sites and apps on your devices, which also catches unlicensed sites. Halifax and Lloyds offer access to Gamban licences. Our gambling blocking software page compares the approach.
Credit cards are already banned for gambling in Great Britain, as our page on the credit card ban explains, so a debit card block covers the main payment route for most people.
GAMSTOP myths and facts
Advantages
- Fact: GAMSTOP is free to use.
- Fact: every licensed online operator in Great Britain must take part.
- Fact: the exclusion carries on after the chosen period until you ask for removal.
- Fact: GAMSTOP can be set to renew automatically.
Drawbacks
- Myth: you can ring up and cancel after a few weeks. You cannot end it early.
- Myth: it blocks all gambling everywhere. It does not cover venues, Lotto draws or unlicensed sites.
- Myth: it ends automatically on the end date. You have to request removal.
- Myth: one site's self-exclusion does the same job. It only covers that operator.
When your GAMSTOP period finishes
The end of the minimum period is a decision point, not an automatic restart. GAMSTOP stays in place until you contact the scheme and ask for removal, so you never drift back by accident.
Before deciding, it can help to look back at what prompted the exclusion and whether those pressures have changed. If you do return, set a deposit limit and reality checks on day one, and treat every session as entertainment you pay for: the house edge means losses are the expected result over time. Many people choose to renew instead, and that is a perfectly good outcome.
Help to use alongside GAMSTOP
GAMSTOP limits access, but support deals with the urge itself. The National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133) is free and 24/7; NHS gambling clinics in England take self-referrals; Gamblers Anonymous runs peer meetings across England, Wales and Ulster. Our gambling support UK page and the signs of problem gambling guide are good next reads, and every tool is collected on our safer gambling hub.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
What is GAMSTOP and how does it work?
GAMSTOP is the free national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. You register once, choose a period from 6 months to 5 years, and every online gambling business licensed by the Gambling Commission must then refuse you service, close your accounts, return funds and stop marketing. Participation has been compulsory for operators since 31 March 2020. It covers websites and apps only. Our wider self-exclusion guide compares it with other options on the safer gambling hub.
Can I cancel GAMSTOP early?
No. Once you register, the exclusion cannot be cancelled during the period you chose, whether that is 6 months or 5 years. This is what makes the scheme effective, because it holds firm through moments when the urge to gamble is strongest. When the period ends, the exclusion still stays active until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it. If you need a shorter break instead, a casino time-out lasts up to six weeks; our support services page lists people to talk to.
Is GAMSTOP free?
Yes, GAMSTOP is completely free to use. It is run by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited, and there is no charge to register or to choose any exclusion length from 6 months to 5 years. Be careful to use only the official website, gamstop.co.uk, when registering. Other free tools that work well alongside it include bank gambling blocks and the National Gambling Helpline; our blocking software page covers device-level options, some of which are paid.
Does GAMSTOP block the National Lottery?
Partly. GAMSTOP blocks online instant-win lottery games, but draw-based games such as Lotto are not covered by the scheme. It also does not cover tickets or scratchcards bought in shops, because land-based gambling sits outside GAMSTOP. If lottery spending is part of the problem, a bank gambling block may help, depending on your bank. Our bank gambling blocks page and the signs of problem gambling guide can help you plan.
How long does GAMSTOP last?
You choose the length, from a minimum of 6 months up to 5 years, and you can set it to renew. When the period ends, the exclusion does not lapse on its own: it remains in place until you contact GAMSTOP and ask for it to be removed. Many people pick a longer period than feels necessary because cravings can return after the first few weeks. For shorter pauses, see our guide to casino time-outs and our answer on taking a break from gambling.
Does GAMSTOP stop offshore casinos?
No. GAMSTOP only binds operators licensed by the Gambling Commission, so unlicensed offshore sites are not part of it. Those sites also offer none of the UK protections, such as safer-gambling tools and complaints routes. Blocking software that filters gambling sites on your devices, and a bank gambling block on your cards, are the best ways to cover that gap. Our guides to blocking software and checking a casino licence explain more.
What happens to my casino accounts when I join GAMSTOP?
Licensed operators must close them and return the money held in them. The Commission's remote self-exclusion code also requires operators to refuse service, remove you from marketing within two days and signpost support. If you have a balance, you can withdraw it before registering to speed things up. Our answer on what happens to your balance when you self-exclude explains the detail, and our withdrawal guide covers cashing out.
Does GAMSTOP cover betting shops and land-based casinos?
No, GAMSTOP is online only. Betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and arcades run their own self-exclusion arrangements, so ask at the venue or the operator about joining them. A bank gambling block can also stop card spending at gambling merchants, depending on how your bank's block works. For the rules that apply in venues, see our page on land-based casino rules, and for payment controls our bank gambling blocks guide.
Related pages
Sources
- Control your gambling | Gamstop Online (opens in a new tab)
- About | Gamstop Online (opens in a new tab)
- Online operators required to participate in GAMSTOP from March 2020 (opens in a new tab)
- 3.5.5 Remote multi-operator SR code (opens in a new tab)
- Gambling business suspended for failure to participate in GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab)
- Get The Support You Need to Quit Online Gambling. - Gamban (opens in a new tab)