GamStop is the UK’s official self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. It’s a free service that allows you to block yourself from all UK-licensed gambling websites and apps with a single registration.
The service is operated by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Ltd and is mandated by the UK Gambling Commission. This means every legitimate gambling operator in Great Britain must participate and check against the GamStop database.
Over 500,000 people have registered with GamStop since its launch in 2018, with record daily sign-ups reported around New Year 2025.
Important: If you’re struggling with gambling, GamStop can provide immediate protection across all UK-licensed online casinos. This guide explains everything you need to know about this free, government-backed service.
GamStop operates through a comprehensive verification and monitoring system that protects you across the entire UK gambling landscape.
Available to anyone resident in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the service requires no banking details or credit card information.
GamStop offers flexible exclusion periods to suit different needs and circumstances:
New Auto-Renewal Option: The 5-year auto-renewal option automatically extends your exclusion for another five years, with email reminders sent every 15 months. This ensures continuous protection without needing to remember to re-register.
GamStop covers every single online gambling operator licensed in Great Britain. This includes:
With hundreds of brands participating, GamStop provides comprehensive coverage across the entire UK online gambling market. You can find the complete list of participating operators on the official GamStop website.
GamStop offers several key advantages for those seeking gambling protection:
Registering with GamStop is straightforward and takes just a few minutes:
You can extend your exclusion period or update your contact details by logging into your GamStop account. However, you cannot reduce your exclusion period or remove it early.
GamStop works alongside professional support organisations to provide comprehensive help:
These organisations provide professional counselling, therapy, and ongoing support to help you address the underlying causes of problem gambling alongside the protection that GamStop provides.
GamStop is a free, nationwide self-exclusion scheme for anyone in the UK who wants to block their access to all UK-licensed online gambling sites and apps. When you register at gamstop.co.uk, you provide your name, date of birth, email, and address—and choose a password. Registered sites then verify you against the GamStop database and refuse you access for the period you select.
You pick one of three fixed self-exclusion options: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years.
Once you confirm your choice, the ban is irreversible—you cannot shorten or cancel it. At the end of your chosen period, your registration simply expires and you may gamble again if you wish.
Register: Go to gamstop.co.uk, click Register, then enter your personal details and choose a password. You’ll get a confirmation email—click the link to activate.
Log In: Once registered, use your email and password on the GamStop homepage to view your self-exclusion end date or to confirm your registration status.
No—you cannot cancel, shorten, or reverse a GamStop registration once it’s in place. The system is designed to be foolproof: your self-exclusion will only lift when your chosen period (6 months, 1 year, or 5 years) has fully elapsed.
There is no legitimate or legal workaround. All UK-licensed operators are required to check GamStop on registration and at login. Any site claiming to let you bypass GamStop is operating unlicenced, outside UKGC control—and using it means you’re gambling illegally and at your own risk.
Only offshore or unlicensed gambling sites fall outside GamStop’s remit. Examples include casinos licensed in Curaçao or other non-UK jurisdictions. Warning: Gambling on these sites is illegal for UK residents, carries no UKGC protections, and often exposes you to unfair terms or fraud.
Yes—all UK-licensed arms of major operators (e.g. PokerStars UK, Betfair, Sky Vegas) are connected to GamStop. Some international versions of those sites (for example, PokerStars.eu or PokerStars on other domains) may not be covered—but you should never use those, as they’re unregistered in the UK and illegal for UK players.
If you’re concerned about your gambling, don’t wait. GamStop provides immediate, comprehensive protection across all UK-licensed gambling sites.
Remember: Gambling should be fun, not harmful. If you’re struggling, professional help is available through GamCare (0800 154 1234) and other support services.