Legal Casinos United Kingdom

Responsible Gambling

How to Self-Exclude from UK Online Casinos

A step-by-step guide to self-exclusion via GamStop, direct operator exclusion, device-level blocking, and support organisations in Great Britain.

Need immediate help?

GamCare National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 24 hours, 7 days). Gamblers Anonymous UK: 0330 094 0322.

Contact & Get Help

GamStop — Self-Exclusion Scheme

[email protected]

Email support only · No phone line

GamStop is the national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. One free registration blocks all UKGC-licensed gambling websites and apps simultaneously. Registration and account management at gamstop.co.uk.

National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133

Free · 24 hours · 7 days

Operated by GamCare. Phone and chat support for gambling harm.

BeGambleAware 0808 8020 133

Routes to National Gambling Helpline

Gambling awareness charity. Online self-assessment and tools at begambleaware.org.

Gambling Therapy

gamblingtherapy.org

Online only · Free

Anonymous online forum and chat operated by Gordon Moody Association.

Gordon Moody 01384 241292

Mon–Fri, office hours

Residential treatment for gambling disorder. Email: [email protected].

Gamblers Anonymous

0330 094 0322

UK national number

Peer support meetings for people with gambling problems.

GamAnon — Families & Friends

0330 094 0322

UK national number · option 2 for GamAnon

Support meetings for friends and families of people affected by gambling problems. Nationwide meeting finder at gamanon.org.uk.

What Self-Exclusion Means in Great Britain

Self-exclusion is a formal process through which a gambling customer requests that an operator — or group of operators — prevent them from accessing gambling services for a defined period. In Great Britain, self-exclusion is backed by the Gambling Commission's licence conditions: all UKGC-licensed operators are legally required to honour self-exclusion requests promptly and maintain effective systems to prevent excluded customers from gambling.

There are three principal mechanisms for self-exclusion from UK online casinos: the national GamStop scheme (covering all UKGC-licensed online operators simultaneously), direct exclusion with individual operators, and device-level blocking via software such as GAMBAN. Each method has different scope and mechanisms; for the broadest protection, GamStop combined with GAMBAN is recommended.

Registering with GamStop

GamStop is operated by GAMSTOP Ltd and is free to use. Registration takes approximately five minutes:

  1. Go to gamstop.co.uk (not a link we control — search for it directly)
  2. Click "Register" and choose your exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years
  3. Enter your personal details — name, date of birth, home address, and email addresses used for gambling accounts
  4. Confirm registration — GamStop will send a confirmation email
  5. The exclusion activates within 24 hours and is propagated to all UKGC-licensed operators

It is important to include all email addresses you have used to register gambling accounts. GamStop matches exclusion records against operator accounts using personal details — if you registered a gambling account with a different email address, it may not be blocked unless that address is included in your GamStop registration.

What GamStop Covers — and What It Doesn't

GamStop covers all operators holding a UKGC remote gambling licence — this includes online casinos, sports betting sites, bingo sites, poker sites, and online lottery operators. As of 2024, GamStop has over 7 million registered users.

GamStop does not cover:

  • Offshore operators without a UKGC licence (often marketed as "GamStop-free casinos" — these operate outside British regulation)
  • Land-based casinos, betting shops, or amusement arcades (covered by separate exclusion schemes)
  • Spread betting and financial derivatives platforms regulated by the FCA
  • Lottery tickets purchased in shops

For land-based exclusion, see below. For device-level blocking of offshore sites, GAMBAN provides coverage beyond what GamStop can achieve.

Direct Operator Self-Exclusion

Every UKGC-licensed operator must offer a direct self-exclusion option, independent of GamStop. Contact the operator's customer support — via live chat, email, or phone — and request self-exclusion for a minimum of six months. The operator must:

  • Process the request promptly (within 24 hours at most)
  • Disable your ability to deposit or wager immediately
  • Pay out any existing balance to your registered withdrawal method
  • Remove you from all marketing lists immediately

Direct exclusion covers only the specific operator. If you have accounts with multiple operators, you would need to contact each individually — which is why GamStop (covering all UKGC-licensed operators at once) is usually more practical as a first step.

Device-Level Blocking: GAMBAN

GAMBAN is software that blocks gambling content at the device level — intercepting requests to gambling websites and apps before they reach your browser or application. It covers 35,000+ gambling domains globally, including offshore sites outside UKGC jurisdiction. GAMBAN runs on desktop, iOS, and Android.

GAMBAN is available as an annual subscription. Reduced-cost licences are available through GamCare and treatment providers. Once installed, GAMBAN cannot be uninstalled without a structured support process — this deliberate friction provides protection against impulsive removal.

Full Gamban guide → — how it works, how it differs from GamStop, and how to access subsidised licences through NHS and treatment services.

Banking-Level Gambling Blocks

Most UK banks now offer gambling transaction blocking within their mobile apps. These blocks prevent the bank from processing payments to gambling merchants, identified by merchant category codes (MCC 7993 and 7995). Banks offering this control include:

  • Barclays, Lloyds Banking Group, Halifax, HSBC — available in mobile app settings
  • Monzo, Starling Bank — immediate toggle in app, with optional cooling-off period on removal
  • Nationwide Building Society — available on request

Since 2020, credit cards have been prohibited from being used for gambling transactions in Great Britain — the Credit Cards (Gambling Transactions) Act 2019. This prevents the additional harm of gambling on borrowed money, though debit cards and bank transfers remain available.

Land-Based Casino and Betting Shop Exclusion

Self-exclusion from land-based gambling is handled separately from GamStop. For betting shops, the Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme (MOSES) allows simultaneous exclusion from Betfred, Coral, Ladbrokes, Mecca, Paddy Power, William Hill, and other participating chains. Visit your local betting shop branch to register.

For land-based casinos, contact the casino management directly. The Betting and Gaming Council operates a casino self-exclusion scheme for member premises. You can also register through the Casino Co-ordinated Self-Exclusion Scheme (CCSES), which covers multiple casino venues in a geographic area.

Responsible Gambling Support Organisations

GamStop

GamStop

Free national self-exclusion scheme covering all UKGC-licensed online operators

GamCare

GamCare

UK's leading support service for people affected by gambling problems

BeGambleAware

BeGambleAware

Gambling harm prevention charity, funded by the gambling industry

Gambling Therapy

Gambling Therapy

Free global service offering practical advice and emotional support

Gordon Moody

Gordon Moody

Residential and online treatment programmes for gambling disorder

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice

Debt and financial guidance for those affected by gambling-related financial problems

Gamban

Gamban

Device-level software blocking 35,000+ gambling sites, including offshore platforms

National Problem Gambling Clinic

National Problem Gambling Clinic

NHS specialist outpatient clinic for gambling disorder, based in London. Free, self-referral accepted.

YGAM

YGAM

Young Gamblers Education Trust — prevention and education for young people aged 7–25

Self-Exclusion — Frequently Asked Questions

What is GamStop and how does self-exclusion via GamStop work?
GamStop is the national online self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Registering blocks you from accessing all UKGC-licensed gambling websites and apps for your chosen period — a minimum of six months, with options for one year or five years. Once active, the exclusion cannot be lifted during the chosen period. All UKGC-licensed operators are required by the Gambling Commission to check the GamStop register and block registered customers.
Does GamStop cover all UK online casinos?
GamStop covers all operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission — remote casinos, sports betting sites, bingo sites, poker sites, and lottery operators. It does not cover offshore operators without a UKGC licence, or land-based premises (these have separate self-exclusion registers). If you encounter a site that claims to accept you despite your GamStop registration, that site either lacks a UKGC licence or is in breach of its licence conditions.
How long does GamStop take to activate?
GamStop self-exclusion activates within 24 hours of registration. During this activation period, you should avoid gambling, as some operators may still be able to process activity before the system propagates. Most operators update their GamStop check registers more frequently than the required 24-hour window. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete.
Can I cancel a GamStop self-exclusion early?
No. A GamStop registration cannot be cancelled or revoked during the chosen exclusion period. This is a deliberate design feature — the irreversibility provides a meaningful barrier during periods of vulnerability. Once your exclusion period expires, you can request reactivation of your accounts; this process includes a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period and a review of your situation.
What is GAMBAN and how is it different from GamStop?
GAMBAN is a device-level blocking software that prevents access to gambling websites and apps at the network level on your devices — desktop, mobile, and tablet. It operates independently of GamStop and blocks overseas sites that lack UKGC licences. GAMBAN is a paid subscription service (with reduced rates for people in treatment programmes). GamStop blocks at the operator account level; GAMBAN blocks at the device/network level. Using both together provides stronger protection.
How do I self-exclude from individual casinos if I don't want GamStop?
Every UKGC-licensed operator is required to offer direct self-exclusion — separate from GamStop. You can contact any operator's customer support directly and request self-exclusion for a minimum of six months. The operator must process this promptly and cannot charge you or restrict your withdrawal before granting the exclusion. However, operator-level self-exclusion only covers that single operator — GamStop covers the entire UKGC-licensed online market in one registration.
Does self-exclusion affect my winnings or remaining balance?
Self-excluding does not forfeit your existing balance. Under UKGC licence conditions, operators must pay out any balance held in your account upon self-exclusion request. Operators cannot withhold balances as a condition of accepting a self-exclusion request. Winnings on pending bets placed before the exclusion takes effect are generally paid; winnings on bets placed after the exclusion becomes active may be withheld.
What support is available alongside self-exclusion?
Self-exclusion is most effective when combined with support. GamCare offers a free National Gambling Helpline (0808 8020 133, 24 hours), online chat support, and counselling referrals. BeGambleAware provides online self-help tools and a treatment directory. Gordon Moody Association offers residential treatment programmes for severe gambling disorder. The NHS also funds gambling treatment services via the National Gambling Clinic (London) and outpatient clinics across England.
Can I self-exclude from betting shops and land-based casinos?
Land-based exclusion is handled separately from GamStop. For betting shops, each major bookmaker (Ladbrokes, William Hill, Coral, Paddy Power, Betfair) operates its own in-store self-exclusion system. MOSES (Multi-Operator Self-Exclusion Scheme) allows you to self-exclude from multiple betting shop chains simultaneously. Land-based casinos participate in self-exclusion schemes through the Betting and Gaming Council and casino associations — speak with the manager at any casino to register.
Is self-exclusion reversible after the period expires?
After your GamStop exclusion period ends, your registration does not automatically lapse — it remains active until you take active steps to cancel it. This means you will not suddenly regain access at the end of six months. To reactivate gambling accounts, you must contact GamStop directly, confirm you wish to end the exclusion, wait a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period, and then individually contact any operators whose accounts you wish to reinstate.
What happens if an operator allows me to gamble during a self-exclusion?
This is a breach of the operator's UKGC licence conditions. You should report it directly to the Gambling Commission via their online complaints service. The Commission takes violations of self-exclusion protocols seriously — several operators have received significant financial penalties in part due to failures to honour self-exclusion registrations. You may also be entitled to claim back losses incurred during the period the operator should have excluded you.
Does GamStop block mobile betting apps as well as websites?
Yes. GamStop registration is linked to your personal details (name, date of birth, email address), not to specific devices. Operators must check the GamStop register at account login and registration stage, meaning attempts to use a mobile app — even on a new device — should be blocked. However, GamStop does not block at the network or device level; it relies on operators checking and enforcing the register. For device-level blocking, GAMBAN provides additional protection.
Are there financial help services for people affected by gambling-related debt?
Yes. Citizens Advice provides free debt advice including for gambling-related financial problems. StepChange Debt Charity (0800 138 1111) offers free debt management plans and individual voluntary arrangement (IVA) advice. The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) provides free, impartial financial guidance through MoneyHelper. GamCare also provides specialist debt advice services integrated with its gambling support programmes.
Can I block gambling transactions on my bank account or credit card?
Most major UK banks now offer gambling transaction blocks within their mobile banking apps. Barclays, Lloyds, Halifax, Nationwide, Monzo, and Starling allow customers to block gambling-category transactions with a single toggle. These blocks cover all gambling merchant category codes (MCC 7993, 7995). Credit card gambling blocks are also available through most major card providers. These controls are self-service and can be toggled on or off — consider using a cooling-off period before disabling them.