Self-exclusion from all UK bingo...
Gamstop Betting Shops
For the full legal landscape around gambling in the UK, including the position of non-GamStop sites, see our guide on whether non-GamStop casinos are legal. Contact the scheme administrator for the relevant venue type after your exclusion period has ended. You contact an individual gambling operator — whether online or land-based — and request self-exclusion specifically from their services. Self-exclusion is a formal process through which an individual voluntarily restricts their own access to gambling services. GAMSTOP allows you to self-exclude from online operators with one request. You can choose to self-exclude via a multi operator self-exclusion scheme.
You are responsible for making all arrangements necessary to access our site and use GAMSTOP (including in relation to your GAMSTOP account), such as ensuring you have adequate internet connectivity. Although we provide on our site information about gambling and gambling support services that we hope you will find helpful, this information, together with all other content on our site, is provided for general information only. You understand and agree that during the minimum 24-hour cooling-off period, your self-exclusion will remain active. If you have not selected the auto-renewal option, on expiry of your Minimum Exclusion Period, you may, via your GAMSTOP account or the GAMSTOP Contact Centre, extend your self-exclusion for a further Minimum Exclusion Period of six months, one year or five years. We may make reasonable updates to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy from time to time where necessary for compliance with a legal obligation or the effective operation of GAMSTOP or your self-exclusion. You specifically agree to us using your personal data for the purposes of GAMSTOP and your self-exclusion as described in the Terms and our Privacy Policy (as it may be updated from time to time).
A player who registered because of excessive slot play will also be excluded from regulated sports betting, poker, bingo, and every other online gambling product. Six months may feel manageable at the point of registration, but it’s worth noting that the exclusion covers all UKGC online gambling — not just the site or game type that prompted the decision. However, its success largely depends on the individual’s commitment to the process and the comprehensive implementation of the exclusion measures by gambling operators. Through self-exclusion, individuals can restrict their access to both online gambling platforms and traditional gambling establishments, offering a comprehensive approach to safeguarding their well-being. Self-exclusion at Online Casinos is a vital process for promoting responsible gambling, allowing individuals to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating in gambling activities for a specified period. GAMSTOP is a free service that enables you to self-exclude from participating online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
Self-exclusions remain in place until the minimum term agreed has passed. To do so, you need to get in touch with the premises you wish to be excluded from and they will guide you through the next steps. That means you can lean on people when you are struggling, while it may be you can be the person to provide strength and encouragement when others are in their time of need too. Ultimately, the best step for anyone struggling with gambling addiction is to seek professional help.
If you would like further details about how to opt out of casino gaming or gambling addiction, then we would recommend both GamCare.org and Be Gamble Aware. You should be aware that many large operators may be connected and as such excluding yourself from one, may mean you do so for another. This is why many of the large companies have added specific sections to their websites, to ensure that all players know where to seek advice and that the option of self-exclusion is available. Once you make contact though, any operators are expected to act responsibly and comply with your wishes.
GamStop centralised this into a single registration that covers all UKGC-licensed online operators simultaneously. Before GamStop existed, players who wished to self-exclude had to contact each gambling operator individually — a time-consuming and often ineffective process. Everything you need to know about the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme — how it works, how to register, exclusion periods, cancellation, limitations, and what alternatives exist for players. Once self-exclusion is active, participating operators should stop you from accessing gambling features. That means it is not just a “promise to yourself”; it is a structured process that licensed operators must follow, with systems that actively restrict your access. It is designed to reduce temptation, remove easy access to online betting and casino products, and support healthier habits with clear, enforceable boundaries.
Registration is free, voluntary, and — critically — irreversible for the duration of the chosen period. Remember, responsible gambling is about making informed choices and knowing when to seek help. By recognizing the warning signs and utilizing the various self-exclusion services available in the UK, players can protect their financial and emotional well-being. They offer a range of resources, including a helpline and online chat for immediate assistance. It supports a wide range of devices and is easy to use. It involves a series of steps to ensure that the exclusion is effectively implemented and maintained.
The period of time this can be for is a minimum of six months up to a maximum of five years, extended to a maximum of seven if not removed. A part of the UK Gambling Commission’s rules and regulations for those holding a remote licence (3.5.4 – Self-exclusion – Remote ordinary code), it sees a customer enter into a formal agreement with the operator not to gamble. It allows you to extend your self-exclusion status for an additional period if you feel it is necessary. You can do this during the enrolment process or at any time afterwards. We advise that you set up an account to more easily manage, extend and renew your exclusion.
A cooling-off period is a shorter-term option compared to self-exclusion. It is final and permanent, and you will no longer be able to access any of your account details. Self-exclusion is a very useful tool if you have lost control of your gambling. The equivalent for casinos is SENSE (Self Enrolment National Self Exclusion). Self-exclusion cannot be removed until the preset period has expired.
If you have registered with GamStop because you have a gambling problem, accessing non-GamStop casinos to continue gambling may worsen your situation. Some users have reported being able to open accounts despite active exclusions, though operators face severe penalties if they fail to implement adequate checks. This means there are online casinos accessible to UK players that fall outside GamStop’s reach. It does not extend to land-based casinos, high-street betting shops, bingo halls, the National Lottery (including online lottery play), or gaming machines in pubs and other venues. Some operators may require you to complete additional responsible gambling assessments before restoring full access.
Reaching the end of an exclusion is not proof you’re cured. People who treated exclusion as a pause rather than a change frequently relapse here. Your exclusion doesn’t simply vanish and let you straight back in. Set the figure, confirm it, and the casino enforces it automatically. Not everyone is ready for full exclusion, and that’s fine—deposit limits are a sensible first line of defence.
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. No—you cannot cancel, shorten, or reverse a GamStop registration once it’s in place. When you register at gamstop.co.uk, you provide your name, date of birth, email, and address—and choose a password. GamStop operates through a comprehensive verification and monitoring system that protects you across the entire UK gambling landscape. If your account has been blocked due to your participation in the GamStop program but you are not registered with GamStop, you should contact GamStop directly to resolve the matter. They will guide you through the process of withdrawing your funds.
In providing training to staff on their responsibilities for self-exclusion, licensees should have, as a minimum, policies for induction training and refresher training. The licensee should retain the records relating to a self-exclusion agreement at least for the length of the self-exclusion agreement plus a further 6 months. We assume no responsibility for the content of any third-party websites linked to via our site and we will not be liable for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of them. Our site may include information and materials uploaded by other users, including to social media pages, video-sharing sites, bulletin boards and chat rooms.
Google acts as data processor on our behalf, further information is available in Google Cloud Platform Service Specific Terms (opens in new tab) and Google’s Cloud Data Processing Addendum (opens in new tab). Should you have a concern or complaint about SENSE please email or write to SENSE. You can also find more detailed answers to any questions you may have via our Q&A page, accessible from the button below. If you want to complain about a gambling business or need further help please contact us. We are unable to provide refunds for any money you have spent gambling.
A CBC journalist who tested the system found that he was able to enter Ontario casinos and gamble on four distinct occasions, in spite of having been registered and photographed for the self-exclusion program. “Gambling addicts … said that while on the … self-exclusion list, they entered OLG properties on a regular basis” in spite of the facial recognition technology in place at the casinos, according to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. However, you can self-exclude from physical casinos and bookmakers in line with the Gambling Commission’s rules and regulations. These effectively block you from accessing gambling sites, never mind logging in, and there are many on the market that are free and specifically designed to combat gambling addiction. Alternatively, you can call the gambling website which you wish to self-exclude from, with the customer support team guiding you through all the necessary steps.
They don’t directly offer support – they actually direct people to GamCare for this – but what they do is fund research, prevention, and treatment for gambling addiction in the UK. They offer free support and counselling to people who have a gambling addiction or to friends and family of someone with a gambling addiction. You can get software that is designed to block any websites containing gambling activity, or you can get software that you can personalise yourself, so you tell it which sites to block. This is software that limits your access to certain websites or specific services on the internet. There are a few gambling sites that will flash up reminders every so often that tell you how long you have been playing, and perhaps suggest that you take a break. All bettors and casino players can choose to self-exclude from as little as 24 hours to permanently.
When your GamStop exclusion period expires, it does not automatically end. Once activated within 24 hours, all participating operators should suspend your accounts, terminate active sessions, remove you from marketing lists, and block new account creation. You choose an exclusion period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. You could consider software which blocks your access to gambling websites. These schemes allow you to make a single request to self-exclude from the same type of land-based gambling within your area. You can contact gambling companies you have accounts with directly to arrange the return of funds.
You can find out more about gambling blockers by reading our full guide. You will then immediately be blocked from using the gambling site. As there are different ways to self-exclude, however, there are different steps you need to take. It’s made easy in order for people to get immediate help with their gambling problems. It’s one step of several that should be made in order to address the situation and it’s vital to acknowledge the signs of problem gambling before it has an even more detrimental impact on a person’s life. This can be done over a six to five year period, extended to a maximum of seven years if not removed.
Free-to-play social casino apps and games that do not involve real-money wagering are not covered by GamStop. GamStop does not extend to physical gambling venues. While playing at these sites is not illegal for UK residents, they come with different levels of consumer protection. During these 24 hours, you can change your mind and keep your GamStop exclusion in place at no cost or consequence.
Navigating the world of online casino transactions can sometimes lead to unexpected surprises, especially if you come across suspicious activity on your account. While self-exclusion is indeed a genuine and vital tool for responsible gambling, no official refund process exists explicitly for those who have self-excluded. This allows non gamstop you to make a single request to self-exclude from all premises offering the same type of gambling (for example, betting shops) in your area, rather than the customer needing to exclude from each operator individually. If you think you are spending too much time or money gambling – whether online or in gambling premises – you can ask to be ‘self-excluded’.
The scheme is run by the not-for-profit National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited and funded by the gambling industry. The National Gambling Helpline provides confidential information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling problems in England, Scotland and Wales. Open the self‑exclusion page on any UK‑licensed site, fill the form, hit confirm, and let the system do the rest.