Set up GamStop in 4 steps and block gambling sites across Britain

GamStop is the national self-exclusion scheme that blocks you from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain. Registration takes around ten minutes and activates within hours. Safer Play Guide walks you through the process so you know exactly what to expect before you begin.

What GamStop does once you register

The scheme prevents you from opening new accounts or logging into existing ones on any site holding a Gambling Commission licence. This covers online betting, bingo, slots and table games operated from Great Britain.

Your exclusion begins as soon as the system processes your details. Sites you already have accounts with will close them automatically. You cannot reverse the decision during the period you choose.

GamStop does not cover sites operating without a British licence. You may still receive marketing from those operators unless you contact them separately.

Register for GamStop: the four steps

The registration form asks for personal details that match what gambling sites hold on file. The more accurate your answers, the more effective the block.

1. Visit gamstop.co.uk/register and choose your exclusion period: six months, one year, or five years. You cannot shorten it once confirmed.
2. Enter your full name exactly as it appears on your identification documents, then your date of birth and home address. Include previous addresses if you moved within the past year.
3. Add your email address and phone number. The system sends a verification message to both. If you use more than one email or mobile number for gambling accounts, list those as well.
4. Confirm your details and submit. You receive a reference number immediately. GamStop emails you once the block is active, usually within a few hours.

You can add usernames from your existing accounts if you remember them. This speeds up the matching process but is not required.

Prepare the information you need before starting

Gather these details before you open the registration page. Having everything to hand means you complete the form in one session without stopping to search for documents.

You need your legal first name and surname, your date of birth and your current postcode. If you moved house recently, note the previous postcode as well. Have your main email address ready and the mobile number you use most often.

Check any gambling accounts you still have access to and write down the email addresses or usernames attached to them. Some people use different emails for different sites; listing all of them helps GamStop match your records faster.

What happens after you submit the form

GamStop sends a confirmation email with your reference number. Keep this message in case you need to contact the scheme later.

The system then shares your details with every licensed operator. Most sites process the exclusion within hours. A few may take up to a day. You cannot log in or create new accounts during your chosen period.

Operators close your existing accounts and return any balance to you. Pending bets are usually settled according to the site's terms. Bonuses and loyalty points are forfeited.

Marketing emails and texts from licensed sites should stop within days. If any continue, use the unsubscribe link or contact the operator directly.

Choose your exclusion length carefully

The minimum period is six months. You can also select one year or five years. Once you submit the form, you cannot reduce the length or cancel early.

A longer period gives you more time away from gambling without the option to change your mind during a moment of urge. If you are unsure, taking a break from gambling explains how to decide what length suits your situation.

After your exclusion ends, you can register again or leave it. GamStop does not automatically renew.

Compare GamStop with other self-exclusion options

Site-by-site exclusion requires you to contact each operator individually. GamStop covers them all at once but only works for licensed sites. Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker works across devices and includes unlicensed sites, but you can uninstall it.

Block gambling on other devices and accounts

GamStop works when you try to access a site through a browser or app on any device. It does not stop you from using someone else's account or borrowing a phone.

Install blocking software on every device you own if you want a second layer. Gamban and BetBlocker both cover computers, tablets and phones. Some mobile network providers also offer gambling blocks on request.

If you share a device with children or others in your household, set up parental controls. Tools such as Net Nanny and Qustodio restrict access to gambling sites for anyone using that device.

What to do if GamStop does not block a site

A site that does not recognise your exclusion is either processing your details or does not hold a British licence. Check the operator's homepage for a Gambling Commission logo.

If the site is licensed and still lets you in after a day, contact GamStop through their website. They will investigate and contact the operator on your behalf.

Unlicensed sites are outside the scheme's reach. Use blocking software or ask your bank to block gambling transactions to prevent payments to those operators.

Recognise when you need more than a technical block

GamStop removes the immediate access to gambling but does not address the urges or patterns behind it. Many people register and then find themselves looking for ways around the block or turning to other behaviours.

If you registered because gambling caused financial harm, strained relationships or took up time you needed for other responsibilities, consider speaking to someone trained in gambling support. The urge to gamble often has roots in stress, boredom or the need to escape difficult feelings.

Recognising your gambling triggers helps you understand what drives the behaviour. Once you know your patterns, you can build alternatives that meet the same need without the harm.

Get support while you are excluded

Taking yourself out of gambling is a significant step. The period away from it can feel uncomfortable, especially in the first weeks.

GamCare offers free confidential support at gamcare.org.uk or by calling the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available around the clock. Advisers listen without judgement and help you work through what comes next.

BeGambleAware provides information and tools at begambleaware.org. Their resources include practical advice on managing money and talking to family.

Gordon Moody runs residential and online treatment programmes for people whose gambling has caused serious harm. Find out more at gordonmoody.org.uk.

Gambling is restricted to people aged 18 and over. If you are concerned about someone younger, contact one of the organisations above for guidance on how to help.

This week: complete your registration and tell someone

One decision followed by a few small actions moves you further than thinking about it. Start with what you can do today.

Set aside ten minutes to register on the GamStop website. Choose the longest period you can commit to. Save your confirmation email somewhere you will find it later. Tell one person you trust that you have excluded yourself — a friend, a partner, or a family member who will check in with you over the coming weeks.

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Download PDF: Your GamStop registration checklist PDF, 29 KB