Registering with GAMSTOP: 4 Steps to Block Access Across Every Licensed Site

GAMSTOP is the UK's free national self-exclusion register. When you sign up, you are blocked from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose. Registration takes a few minutes, works immediately and covers every operator required to check the register. The guide below walks you through signing up, what happens after and how to make the exclusion stick.

Understanding What GAMSTOP Blocks

The register excludes you from every online gambling site licensed by the Gambling Commission. That includes betting sites, casino sites, bingo platforms and lotteries. You cannot open a new account, and any existing accounts are closed within twenty-four hours of your registration.

The exclusion applies only to sites licensed in Great Britain. Offshore operators are not required to check the register, and GAMSTOP cannot block them. Software such as Gamban or BetBlocker is needed for those.

Land-based venues such as betting shops and casinos are not covered. A separate self-exclusion must be arranged directly with the operator or through a local scheme.

Preparing the Details You Need

Before starting the registration, gather a few pieces of information. You will need your full name as it appears on official documents, your date of birth, your address and a valid email address. GAMSTOP also asks for a mobile phone number to confirm your identity.

The register uses these details to match you across operators' systems. Give the name and address that appear on your bank statements or utility bills, as that is what most sites hold. Inconsistent details can delay the block from taking effect on some accounts.

Signing Up: Four Steps to Complete Registration

The process is straightforward and takes five to ten minutes. Once submitted, the exclusion is active immediately.

1. Go to gamstop.co.uk and select the "Exclude now" option. You will be asked to confirm you are over eighteen and that you understand the exclusion cannot be undone early.
2. Choose the length of your exclusion: six months, one year or five years. Think carefully before selecting; the period cannot be shortened once set, and the minimum term is six months.
3. Enter your personal details in the form. Double-check spelling, especially your name and email address. GAMSTOP sends a confirmation link to the email you provide, and without it the registration is not finalised.
4. Open the email from GAMSTOP and click the link inside. This step verifies your email address and completes the registration. Check your spam folder if the message does not arrive within a few minutes.

Your exclusion is now active. Operators receive the update within hours, and you should find yourself unable to log in by the following day.

What Happens After You Register

Once your registration is confirmed, licensed operators are notified. Existing accounts are suspended or closed, and any balance is returned to you using the withdrawal method on file. You cannot open new accounts while the exclusion is live.

Marketing stops. Sites are required to remove you from their mailing lists and suppress your details so you receive no further offers or promotions. If messages continue, report them to the operator and to GAMSTOP.

GAMSTOP sends reminders as your exclusion period nears its end, giving you time to extend it before access resumes. Many people choose to renew before the term expires, and you can do so through the same site.

Checking Your Status

You can log in to your GAMSTOP account at any time to see how long remains on your exclusion. The site also holds a record of when you registered and which period you selected.

Combining GAMSTOP with Other Blocking Tools

GAMSTOP covers licensed sites, but other measures strengthen the barrier. Blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker prevents access to unlicensed operators and can be installed on phones, tablets and computers. Both work alongside GAMSTOP and are recommended by GamCare.

For a shared device, parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio adds another layer. These tools are designed to protect children but can be set to block gambling domains for any user.

Link your GAMSTOP registration to practical changes: delete saved passwords, unsubscribe from operator emails before registering and remove gambling apps from your devices. The fewer routes back, the easier the exclusion is to maintain. You can read more on this approach in blocking gambling websites across devices.

Common Questions About the Registration Process

Can You Register on Behalf of Someone Else

No. The person being excluded must complete the registration themselves. GAMSTOP requires the individual's own email address and mobile number, and only the account holder can confirm the exclusion.

If someone close to you is struggling, you can encourage them to register and offer to sit with them while they do it, but the decision and the action must be theirs.

What If You Change Your Mind

The exclusion cannot be reversed early. If you registered for six months, you remain excluded for six months. If you chose five years, that term stands. This is by design: the cooling-off period exists to protect you from impulsive decisions during urges.

Requests to remove the exclusion early are refused. The only exception is a provable error in the details you submitted, and even then the correction process takes time.

Recognising When Self-Exclusion Is the Right Step

GAMSTOP works best when it is part of a wider plan. Blocking access gives you breathing room, but the urges that drove the gambling do not disappear on their own. Many veterans find that the same traits that served them in service – discipline, pushing through discomfort, self-reliance – can make it harder to admit when gambling has become a problem.

Ask yourself whether gambling has cost you more than money: time with your family, trust from a partner, focus at work, peace of mind. If the answer is yes, self-exclusion is a practical first step, not a defeat.

Support makes the difference. GamCare runs the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, free and available every hour of the day. BeGambleAware offers online chat and resources designed for people who have served. Gordon Moody provides residential and online treatment for those who need more intensive help.

If debt has built up alongside the gambling, there are clear steps you can take to address it. Read facing gambling debts for practical guidance on where to start.

Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you are struggling, you are not alone, and reaching out is not weakness – it is the decision that makes recovery possible.

This guide is for general information only. RBLWS is an information site. We do not provide personal advice, and we are not a gambling operator. Gambling should never be seen as a way to make money or solve financial problems. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, free and confidential support is available through BeGambleAware.org. You must be 18 or over to gamble.

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Download PDF: GAMSTOP Registration Checklist PDF, 29 KB