What Is GamStop? How the UK Self-Exclusion Scheme Works
GamStop is the UK’s free national self-exclusion register. Here’s how it works, how to sign up, and what it does — and doesn’t — cover.
What GamStop Is
GamStop is a free service that lets you self-exclude from all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain. Once you register, every UK Gambling Commission operator is required to prevent you from using their site for the period you choose.
You can self-exclude for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. The exclusion cannot be reversed before it ends, and it applies across every UKGC-licensed casino, bookmaker and bingo site automatically.
How to Register
Registration takes a few minutes at gamstop.co.uk. You provide your name, date of birth, email and address, and the block takes effect within 24 hours. It is completely free.
GamStop vs Non-GamStop Sites
Because GamStop only covers UKGC-licensed operators, casinos and bookmakers licensed offshore are not connected to it — which is exactly why ‘non-GamStop’ sites can accept self-excluded players. If you registered with GamStop because gambling was harming you, the safest course is to honour that decision. To block offshore sites too, use BetBlocker on your devices.
18+ Please Gamble Responsibly
The casinos and bookmakers we cover are licensed outside the UK and are not part of GamStop or the UK Gambling Commission. Gambling should be entertainment you can afford to lose. Set a deposit limit before you play.
- Free 24/7 support — BeGambleAware.org
- Talk to an adviser — GamCare, National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133
- Block gambling on your devices — BetBlocker (free)
- Self-exclude from UK-licensed gambling — GamStop