GamStop, explained properly

What GamStop is

GamStop is the free national self-exclusion scheme for Great Britain. Every operator licensed by the UK Gambling Commission is legally required to check the register, so one registration removes your access to hundreds of sites and apps at once — you don't have to contact them one by one.

You register at gamstop.co.uk with your name, date of birth, postcode, email and mobile number. It takes a few minutes and there is no cost.

Choosing your period

You pick six months, one year or five years. If you're unsure, choose longer. The exclusion cannot be shortened or cancelled once it's live, which is exactly the point: your calm decision today outranks the version of you that wants a way in at 1 a.m.

When the period ends, nothing reopens automatically — you have to log in, ask for it to be lifted, and then wait 24 hours. That friction is on your side.

What GamStop does not cover

• High-street bookmakers, land-based casinos and bingo halls.
• Lottery and scratchcards bought in shops.
• Sites licensed outside Great Britain, which are not required to check the register.
• Crypto and offshore betting apps.

This is why GamStop works best as one layer of several rather than a single fix. See how to block gambling on your phone, bank and computer for the layers that close those gaps.

The same-day checklist

1. Register with GamStop and choose the longest period you can accept.
2. Turn on the gambling block in your banking app — most UK banks offer one.
3. Delete gambling apps and every saved card in browsers and wallets.
4. Install a gambling blocker and let someone else hold the passcode.
5. Tell one person you trust. Secrecy is what lets gambling grow.
6. Call GamCare free on 0808 8020 133, any hour, if today feels heavy. It's confidential.

Then comes the part GamStop can't do

A block stops the access, not the urge. The cravings still arrive, usually strongest in the first few weeks, and they pass faster than they feel like they will. Read how to stop gambling and what to do before your GamStop expires so the day the block lifts isn't the day everything restarts.

Frequently asked questions

What does GamStop block?

GamStop blocks you from all online gambling sites and apps licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. It does not cover land-based betting shops, casinos, the National Lottery in shops, or sites licensed outside Great Britain.

How long does GamStop last?

You choose a minimum of six months, one year or five years. The exclusion cannot be cancelled early, and it only ends after the period expires and you actively ask for it to be lifted, followed by a 24-hour cooling-off period.

Is GamStop free?

Yes. Registration is free and takes a few minutes. You need your name, date of birth, postcode, email and mobile number so operators can match your details.