GAMSTOP self-exclusion
GAMSTOP self-exclusion is the free national scheme that stops every online gambling company licensed in Great Britain from letting you gamble, through its apps or websites, for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. You register once, it can't be cancelled early, and operators must close your accounts, return your money and stop marketing to you.
By the BestApps editorial team. Last checked .
Key takeaways
- GAMSTOP is free and covers all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
- Choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years; the exclusion can't be cancelled early.
- When it ends, it stays in place until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it.
- It covers online gambling only: land-based venues and draw-based lotteries such as Lotto are separate.
- Every licensed online operator has had to take part since 31 March 2020.
- Cost
- Free
- Periods
- 6 months, 1 year or 5 years
- Early cancellation
- Not possible
- Covers
- Online operators licensed in Great Britain
- Mandatory since
- 31 March 2020
- Run by
- The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited
What is GAMSTOP self-exclusion?
GAMSTOP is the UK's national online self-exclusion scheme. One registration blocks you from gambling with every online gambling company licensed in Great Britain, whether you'd use its app on your phone or its website on a laptop. It's run by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited and is free to use.
Self-exclusion means asking gambling businesses not to let you gamble for a set period. You can do it with one operator at a time, but GAMSTOP does it with all licensed online operators at once, which is why it sits at the heart of our safer gambling hub.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free |
| Who it covers | All online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain |
| Lengths | 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, with the option to renew |
| Cancel early? | No, it runs for the full period |
| When it ends | Stays in place until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it |
| Land-based venues | Not covered: separate schemes apply |
How to register for GAMSTOP on your phone
Registration happens on GAMSTOP's own website, and you can do it from your phone in a few minutes. It's worth sitting somewhere quiet and giving accurate details, because operators use them to recognise you.
- Open your phone's browser and go to GAMSTOP's registration page (opens in a new tab).
- Choose your exclusion period: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years.
- Enter your personal details exactly as you'd give them to a gambling company.
- Confirm your registration and keep any confirmation message.
- Delete gambling apps from your phone and turn off their notifications.
Choosing your GAMSTOP period: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years
The three lengths suit different situations, and none is the "wrong" choice. Many people pick a longer period than they think they need, because it removes the temptation to count down the days.
| Period | Might suit | What happens at the end |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | A firm break while you reset habits | Stays in place until you ask for removal |
| 1 year | A full cycle of paydays, holidays and big sporting events | Stays in place until you ask for removal |
| 5 years | A long-term stop | Stays in place until you ask for removal |
| 5 years, renewing | Anyone who wants the block to carry on automatically | Renews rather than lapsing |
Whichever you choose, the exclusion can't be cancelled early. That can feel daunting, but it's the feature that makes it work: a bad evening can't undo a decision made on a good day.
What casino apps must do once you're on GAMSTOP
Taking part isn't optional for operators. Under LCCP 3.5.5, licensees must participate in the national multi-operator self-exclusion scheme, and the Commission's notice on GAMSTOP participation (opens in a new tab) confirmed that every online operator had to join from 31 March 2020.
Once you're registered, the self-exclusion rules in LCCP 3.5.3 require operators to:
- refuse to let you gamble through their apps and websites;
- close your accounts and return the money in them;
- remove you from their marketing within two days;
- point you towards support services.
The Commission's self-exclusion guide for players (opens in a new tab) explains these duties from the customer's side. If an operator still lets you gamble, you can raise it; our guide to complaining about a casino app explains the process.
What GAMSTOP covers and what it doesn't
GAMSTOP is broad, but it isn't everything. Knowing the edges helps you plan the other layers you might need.
| Type of gambling | Covered by GAMSTOP? |
|---|---|
| Online casino apps and sites licensed in Great Britain | Yes |
| Online betting and bingo licensed in Great Britain | Yes |
| Instant win lottery games online | Yes, blocked |
| Draw-based lottery games such as Lotto | No |
| Betting shops, casinos and bingo halls | No: land-based self-exclusion is separate |
| Sites not licensed in Great Britain | No, and they offer no UK protection |
To cover payments, add a bank gambling block. To stop gambling sites loading on your devices at all, consider the Gamban blocker, which Gamban itself recommends using alongside GAMSTOP.
A warning about sites "not on GAMSTOP"
Some websites advertise themselves as gambling that isn't covered by GAMSTOP. These are operators without a Gambling Commission licence, and they're not something we name or link to.
Playing with them means losing every UK safeguard: no deposit limit prompts, no reality checks, no requirement to honour self-exclusion, no fair-terms rules and no route to an approved dispute service. Our guides on spotting an unlicensed casino app and fake casino apps and scams explain the risks. If you find yourself searching for these sites, that's a strong signal to call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
Using GAMSTOP alongside your phone's own blocks
GAMSTOP works on the operator side, so it doesn't remove apps from your phone. A casino app you forgot to delete may still open, but a licensed operator shouldn't let you gamble with it while you're registered.
Deleting the apps and adding device blocks reduces reminders and temptation. Our guides show how to block gambling apps on iPhone with Screen Time and how to block gambling apps on Android with Digital Wellbeing and the install unknown apps setting. The general guide to self-exclusion from casino apps brings all the steps together.
GAMSTOP vs time-outs and single-operator self-exclusion
Casino apps offer their own breaks too, and it helps to know how they differ from GAMSTOP before choosing.
- Time-out: a short pause with one operator. Useful for a cooling-off spell; see taking a time-out.
- Self-exclusion with one operator: closes your account with that business only. You could still open accounts elsewhere.
- GAMSTOP: blocks all online operators licensed in Great Britain at once, for at least 6 months.
If you're unsure, think about whether the problem is one app or gambling in general. Our overview of safer gambling tools in casino apps explains limits and reality checks if you want to stay in control rather than stop, and the glossary has short definitions of self-exclusion and GAMSTOP.
Why GAMSTOP is mandatory: a short timeline
GAMSTOP started as a scheme operators could join, but the Gambling Commission made participation compulsory for all online operators. The rule has teeth: in November 2022 the Commission suspended LEBOM Limited for failing to take part.
- 14 January 2020: the Commission announces mandatory participation.
- 31 March 2020: all online operators must participate.
- November 2022: LEBOM Limited suspended for failing to participate.
For the wider regulatory picture, see our page on customer interaction rules, which require operators to spot and act on signs of harm, and how UK casino apps are licensed.
When your GAMSTOP exclusion ends
Your exclusion doesn't switch off automatically when the period runs out. It stays in place until you contact GAMSTOP and ask for it to be removed, which builds in a deliberate pause before anything changes.
Before asking, it's worth being honest with yourself about why you want it lifted. If you'd like to talk it through, the National Gambling Helpline, run by GamCare, is free and open 24/7 on 0808 8020 133, and in Wales the NHS Wales Helpline is on 0808 2819 265. Our help and support page lists NHS gambling clinics and Gamblers Anonymous, and our page on signs of problem gambling can help you take stock.
18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.
Frequently asked questions
Is GAMSTOP free?
Yes. GAMSTOP is a free national self-exclusion scheme covering all online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain. You register once on its website, choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and every licensed operator must then refuse to let you gamble through its apps and sites. There's nothing to pay at any stage. Our overview of safer gambling tools in casino apps shows other free options, and the glossary entry for GAMSTOP gives a short definition.
Does GAMSTOP block casino apps?
GAMSTOP doesn't delete apps from your phone, but it stops every online operator licensed in Great Britain from letting you gamble while you're registered, whether through an app or a website. A licensed casino app you reopen shouldn't let you play. For fewer reminders, delete the apps and add device blocks too. See our guides to blocking gambling apps on iPhone and the quick answer to does GAMSTOP block casino apps.
Can I cancel GAMSTOP early?
No. Once you've registered, the exclusion runs for the full period you chose and can't be cancelled early. That's deliberate: it protects the decision you made on a calm day from an urge on a harder one. When the period ends, the exclusion stays in place until you ask GAMSTOP to remove it. If you're finding it hard, talk to the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133. Our help and support page and the page on the National Gambling Helpline explain what's available.
What happens to my casino account balance after I register?
Under the Commission's self-exclusion rules, operators must close your account and return the money in it. They must also remove you from marketing within two days and point you to support. If an operator doesn't do this, follow its complaints process first. Our guide to complaining about a casino app explains the steps, and the answer to what happens to my balance if I delete the app covers a related question.
Does GAMSTOP cover betting shops and the National Lottery?
GAMSTOP covers online gambling only, so betting shops, casinos and bingo halls are not included; separate land-based self-exclusion schemes apply there. For lotteries, online instant win games are blocked, but draw-based games such as Lotto are not covered. If you also gamble in person, ask the venue about self-exclusion. Our page on help and support can point you in the right direction, and the guide to self-exclusion from casino apps covers the online side.
How long does GAMSTOP self-exclusion last?
You choose 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and you can also set it to renew. The period can't be shortened once it starts. When it ends, the block doesn't lift by itself: it stays until you contact GAMSTOP and ask for removal. Many people choose a longer period than they first planned, so the end date isn't on their mind. For a shorter pause with one app, see taking a time-out or the glossary entry for self-exclusion.
Should I use Gamban as well as GAMSTOP?
Many people do, and Gamban recommends it. GAMSTOP works with operators, stopping licensed companies letting you gamble on any device. Gamban works on the device, blocking gambling sites and apps wherever it's installed. Together they close more gaps, especially in a browser. Gamban is paid, with a free trial, and Halifax and Lloyds customers can get access through their bank. Read our Gamban gambling blocker guide and the page on bank gambling blocks.
Are sites that say they're not on GAMSTOP safe?
No. Sites that advertise being outside GAMSTOP aren't licensed by the Gambling Commission, so you lose every UK protection, including limit prompts, self-exclusion duties, fair-terms rules and access to approved dispute services. We don't name or link to them. Searching for them is often a sign that gambling is becoming harder to control, so it's a good moment to call 0808 8020 133. Our guides on spotting an unlicensed casino app and checking a casino app's licence explain more.
Related pages
Sources
- Control your gambling | Gamstop Online (opens in a new tab)
- About | Gamstop Online (opens in a new tab)
- GAMSTOP registration (opens in a new tab)
- Self-exclusion (opens in a new tab)
- Online operators required to participate in GAMSTOP from March 2020 (opens in a new tab)
- 3.5.3 Self-exclusion – remote SR code (opens in a new tab)
- Gambling business suspended for failure to participate in GAMSTOP (opens in a new tab)