What is GAMSTOP?
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GAMSTOP is the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. Registering with GAMSTOP prevents you from accessing UKGC-licensed online casino and betting sites for a period you choose: 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years.
How GAMSTOP works
You register at gamstop.co.uk with your name, date of birth, email, and address. GAMSTOP shares this data with participating licensed operators, who are required to block your access. Registration is free. When you try to log into or register at a UKGC-licensed site, the site checks against the GAMSTOP database and blocks you if you’re registered. The exclusion cannot be reversed early — you must wait until the period expires.
What GAMSTOP doesn’t cover
GAMSTOP only applies to UKGC-licensed sites. Casinos licensed by other authorities (MGA, Curaçao) are not obligated to participate. If you’re using GAMSTOP as part of addressing a gambling problem, it’s most effective when combined with other self-exclusion schemes and support resources like GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline.
Ben Barber got into the gambling industry through the poker rooms of London in the early 2000s. After building up a solid grounding in casino, sports betting and poker, he made the move to Malta where he spent close to a decade writing for some of the biggest affiliate networks in the region. A few years ago he relocated to Bali, which shifted his focus toward website strategy and affiliate marketing. The casino side never really left, though. He still writes reviews, how-to guides and in-depth pieces on everything from slots and live dealer tables to crypto casinos and sweepstakes sites. His approach is fact-first: help players understand how online gambling actually works before they deposit a cent.