GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you exclude yourself from all gambling websites and apps licensed in Great Britain, in one step. It is a powerful tool for taking a firm break from online gambling. This guide explains GAMSTOP. It is general information, and if gambling is causing you concern, support is always available.
What GAMSTOP is
GAMSTOP is a free, national self-exclusion scheme that lets you block yourself from all online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain through a single registration. It is run independently to help people control their gambling. Understanding that GAMSTOP excludes you from all GB-licensed online gambling at once, rather than one operator at a time, is the key point, as it provides a comprehensive barrier across the entire licensed online market in one step, which is far more effective than excluding from sites individually.
How it works
When you register with GAMSTOP, your details are used to prevent you from accessing or opening accounts with online operators licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose. Understanding that GAMSTOP works by blocking you across all licensed online operators for your chosen period, automatically, helps you see its strength, as once registered, you are prevented from gambling with any GB-licensed online site or app, removing the need to exclude from each one separately and closing off the licensed online market for the duration.
The exclusion periods
GAMSTOP lets you choose a self-exclusion period of six months, one year, or five years, after which it can be renewed. You select the length that suits you. Understanding that GAMSTOP offers exclusion periods of six months, one year or five years gives you a choice of how firm a break to take, as you can opt for a shorter or longer commitment depending on your needs, with the longer periods providing a more substantial barrier for those who want a firm, lasting break from online gambling.
How to register
You register with GAMSTOP for free through its website, providing your details so operators can identify and block you. The process is straightforward. Understanding that registering with GAMSTOP is free and done through its official website, gamstop.co.uk, helps you take the step if you want to, as the registration is simple and costs nothing, making it an accessible tool for anyone who wants to exclude themselves from GB-licensed online gambling without delay or expense.
What it covers
GAMSTOP covers online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain, including their websites and apps, blocking you across all of them for your chosen period. Understanding that GAMSTOP covers all GB-licensed online operators, the regulated online market, helps you know its scope, as registering blocks the licensed online sites and apps where most people gamble online, providing broad protection across the properly regulated online gambling industry in Great Britain in a single registration.
What it does not cover
GAMSTOP does not cover land-based venues like betting shops and casinos, or gambling sites not licensed in Great Britain. Other tools address these. Understanding that GAMSTOP applies to GB-licensed online gambling, not physical venues or unlicensed sites, helps you see its limits, as you may need separate land-based self-exclusion for shops and casinos, and you should be aware that unlicensed sites operating outside GB regulation are not covered, which is one of many reasons to avoid them entirely.
Why use it
GAMSTOP is valuable for anyone wanting a firm break from online gambling, providing a single, comprehensive barrier that does not rely on willpower at each site. Understanding that GAMSTOP offers a strong, account-wide barrier in one step, removing access rather than relying on self-control, helps you see its benefit, as for those who want to stop or pause online gambling decisively, it provides a far more robust safeguard than trying to avoid each site individually through willpower alone.
It is free
GAMSTOP is completely free to use, funded to support people in controlling their gambling, so cost is never a barrier. Understanding that GAMSTOP costs nothing to register and use helps you access it without hesitation, as the service is provided free of charge precisely so that anyone who wants to exclude themselves from online gambling can do so easily, making it an accessible safeguard available to all who need it, whatever their circumstances.
Within the period
Once you register for a period, the exclusion is designed to hold for its full length, providing a firm commitment rather than something easily reversed on impulse. Understanding that a GAMSTOP exclusion is meant to last for the full period you chose, not be lifted on a whim, is part of its strength, as this firmness is what makes it effective, holding you to your decision through moments of temptation rather than allowing an impulsive reversal, which is exactly the protection many people need.
Combining with other support
GAMSTOP works best alongside other support, such as the National Gambling Helpline, GamCare, and tools like blocking software. Our guide on gambling help in the UK lists these. Understanding that GAMSTOP is most effective as part of a wider package of support, combined with help and other tools, helps you build a fuller plan, as self-exclusion removes access while support addresses the underlying habits and any difficulties, so using them together gives the best chance of lasting change.
The danger of unlicensed sites
Because GAMSTOP only covers GB-licensed sites, it is vital to avoid unlicensed sites, which are not part of the scheme and carry many risks. Understanding that unlicensed sites fall outside GAMSTOP, and should be avoided entirely, is important for anyone self-excluding, as the temptation to seek out sites not covered by GAMSTOP undermines the whole purpose of excluding, besides exposing you to the serious risks of unregulated gambling, so steering clear of them is essential to a self-exclusion working.
so steering clear of them is essential to a self-exclusion working.GAMSTOP and licensed operators
Because GAMSTOP only works across operators licensed in Great Britain, it is another strong reason to use only properly licensed sites in the first place. Licensed operators are required to take part in GAMSTOP and to offer the full range of safer gambling tools. Understanding that GAMSTOP depends on operators being GB-licensed reinforces why licensed sites matter, as only by gambling with properly regulated operators can you rely on protections like GAMSTOP, deposit limits and the other required safeguards, which unlicensed sites simply do not provide, leaving you without these important protections.
Getting support
If you are considering GAMSTOP, support is available to help you alongside it. Our guide on self-exclusion explained covers the wider picture.
If gambling is causing you or someone you know any concern, free and confidential support is available from the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, 24 hours a day, and online through GamCare and BeGambleAware. You are not alone, and help is always available.
In short
GAMSTOP is a free national scheme that excludes you from all online gambling operators licensed in Great Britain in one registration, for six months, one year or five years. You sign up free at gamstop.co.uk. It covers GB-licensed online sites and apps, but not land-based venues or unlicensed sites, which should be avoided entirely. It is a firm, account-wide barrier that works best alongside other support. If you need help, free and confidential support is always available.
Explore more in our Safer Gambling guides.