Understanding self-exclusion: 4 ways it helps you regain control

Self-exclusion is a commitment you make to stay away from gambling sites for a chosen period, enforced by the sites themselves. It blocks your access to accounts and prevents new sign-ups during that time. RBLWS explains how self-exclusion schemes work, what they cover and how veterans and their families can use them to step back from gambling when it stops being manageable.

What self-exclusion stops you doing

When you self-exclude, gambling sites must prevent you from placing bets, making deposits or accessing your account. The site should also stop sending you marketing emails, texts and offers. You cannot withdraw money during the exclusion period, though any balance you had before registering is held and returned when the period ends.

Self-exclusion works differently depending on where you register. A single-site exclusion applies only to that operator. A multi-operator exclusion covers several brands under one company. GAMSTOP, the national scheme, excludes you from all sites licensed by the Gambling Commission in one registration.

How GAMSTOP covers licensed sites in Great Britain

GAMSTOP is a free service that lets you self-exclude from all gambling sites licensed in Great Britain at once. You register online at www.gamstop.co.uk, and your exclusion takes effect within 24 hours. The scheme covers online casinos, betting sites, bingo halls and poker rooms that hold a UK licence.

You choose how long to exclude yourself: six months, one year or five years. Once you register, you cannot shorten the period or cancel early. Sites check your details against the GAMSTOP register when you try to open an account or log in, and they must refuse you access.

GAMSTOP does not cover sites that operate without a UK licence. Those sites are not part of the scheme and will not block you, even if you are registered. If you find yourself using unlicensed sites, blocking software such as Gamban or BetBlocker can add another layer of protection by filtering gambling content across all browsers and devices.

Register with GAMSTOP in under ten minutes

The registration process is straightforward and happens entirely online. You need proof of identity and a few personal details to complete it.

1. Visit www.gamstop.co.uk and click the registration button.
2. Enter your name, date of birth, address, email and phone number exactly as they appear on your gambling accounts.
3. Choose your exclusion period: six months, one year or five years.
4. Upload a form of ID such as a passport, driving licence or utility bill to verify your details.
5. Confirm your registration. GAMSTOP processes your exclusion within one working day.

If you share your address with family members who gamble, they will not be affected by your registration. GAMSTOP matches your personal details only, not your household.

Where single-site exclusion still has a role

Some veterans prefer to exclude themselves from specific sites rather than all of them at once. A single-site exclusion might suit someone who uses one operator heavily but wants to keep access to others, or who is testing whether a break from a particular brand changes their habits.

You register directly with the site, usually through your account settings or by contacting customer support. The site sets the exclusion in place, though the length and the exact restrictions vary by operator. This approach demands more discipline than GAMSTOP because you remain responsible for avoiding other sites, and marketing from those sites continues unless you opt out separately.

What happens after your exclusion period ends

Your exclusion does not lift automatically. GAMSTOP sends you a reminder before the end date, but your accounts remain blocked until you contact each site to reactivate them. This cooling-off step prevents immediate relapse and gives you time to decide whether you want to return.

Many veterans find that the end of an exclusion period brings a mix of relief and temptation. If you are unsure whether you are ready to gamble again, consider extending your exclusion through a new GAMSTOP registration before the first one expires. There is no limit to how many times you can register.

Recognise when exclusion alone is not enough

Self-exclusion removes access, but it does not address the reasons you gambled in the first place. Many veterans who self-exclude find that urges to gamble persist, particularly during stressful periods or when triggers such as isolation, boredom or reminders of service life appear.

If you gamble to cope with trauma, anxiety or depression, self-exclusion buys you time but does not replace support. Counselling, peer groups and structured programmes help you understand what drives the behaviour and build other ways to manage difficult feelings. The longer you stay excluded, the more important that work becomes.

When urges return during exclusion

Urges are normal, even when access is blocked. They tend to peak in the first few weeks after registration and again near the end of the exclusion period. Writing down what triggered the urge, calling someone who knows you are excluded, or using a distraction that occupies your hands and mind can all reduce the intensity.

Some veterans keep a card in their wallet with the names and numbers of people they can contact when an urge hits. Others set phone reminders to check in with themselves twice a day. The method matters less than having something prepared before the moment arrives.

Protect children and partners when you self-exclude

If you share devices or live with family, self-exclusion protects them as well as you. Gambling sites should not be accessible to children, and self-exclusion ensures that accounts tied to your details cannot be opened by anyone else in the household.

Installing parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio on shared tablets and phones adds a second layer, blocking gambling content even if someone tries to access an unlicensed site. Talking to your partner or older children about why you have self-excluded reduces secrecy and makes it easier for them to support you without policing your behaviour.

Get help with gambling harm today

Self-exclusion works best alongside other forms of support. GamCare offers free, confidential support online and by phone through the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day. BeGambleAware provides information on treatment services and self-help tools.

Gordon Moody runs residential and online treatment programmes for people affected by gambling harm. If blocking software would help, Gamban is a paid subscription service that filters gambling content across all devices, while BetBlocker is free and covers multiple platforms.

Online gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If you are supporting a family member or partner who is struggling, the organisations above can guide you as well.

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