What is GamStop?

If you or a person you love is dealing with gambling addiction, you must learn about GamStop and how it works. GamStop is a free national self-exclusion scheme provided by the UK Gambling Commission. It allows the risky gamblers from the UK to register online and block themselves from gambling for a certain period.

All moderate to high-risk players facing gambling harms or financial debts can register with GamStop self-exclusion for a time off from gambling. It lets you decide the exclusion period and doesn’t allow anyone to register you.

GamStop: How it work?

GamStop helps you block your access to multiple gambling websites at a time. Other than self-excluding on individual gambling sites, responsible players find this option convenient.

You register once with your details on the GamStop official website for a period you don’t want to gamble (6 months / 1 year / 5 years). Then, GamStop asks all the gambling businesses licensed by the UKGC to remove your account if you have one, block you from creating new accounts, and remove your details from their marketing databases.

Hence, GamStop stops you from signing up for new accounts and logging into your previous account and gambling again. However, all the remaining balance in your gambling accounts is returned by the operators once you contact them.

Who can use GamStop?

All residents of the UK above 18+ years can register with GamStop. Once registered, it blocks access to Great Britain and Northern Ireland-based operators’ sites.

You can assess your gambling situation on the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) before signing up to GamStop UK. As per the assessment, if you are a high-risk player, registering with this self-exclusion scheme helps you control your gambling habits.

However, the choice has to be made by you, as no one else can register you with the self-exclusion scheme, and GamStop runs a rigorous identity check.

How to sign up for GamStop?

Signing up with the GamStop self-exclusion scheme means committing not to gamble for a certain period.

Follow the steps below:

1. Visit the official GamStop website (https://www.gamstop.co.uk/register) and click Start.
   
2. Enter your email address.
3. You have to verify your email address next.
4. You will receive the registration link in your email. Click that to start the registration process.
5. On the registration page, provide the details like your title, name, date of birth, contact details, and full address.
6. Once done, click Next.
7. You have to review all the details for accuracy on the next page.
8. Your mobile number is verified, and submit the details.
9. Once registration is complete, you will receive a confirmation email. The mail contains all the information about the support tools and plans.
10. You can opt for a self-exclusion period of:
    • 6 months
    • 1 year
    • 5 years
    • 5 years with auto-renewal.

GamStop self-exclusion scheme takes 24 hours to be activated. After completing the registration, hold on for 24 hours. You shouldn’t be able to access UK-based gambling sites anymore.

Also, the best practise is to keep your details up to date on the GamStop site.

What happens after you register with GamStop?

GamStop self-exclusion scheme allows you to take a break from gambling for a certain period. After you register with GamStop, all gambling operators holding a UK licence will block you from their sites. It will come into effect within 4 hours to 24 hours after the registration. You can contact individual operators to withdraw any money you are supposed to get.

The ban on the gambling websites continues for the time period you choose. Also, it will continue even after the defined period ends if you don’t write to GamStop to lift it.

Can you cancel GamStop?

GamStop self-exclusion continues to block you from the UK gambling sites for the period you chose previously. You can cancel the registration after that exclusion period ends. You have to ask GamStop to deregister you. After that, you can contact the UK gambling sites to reactivate your account or create a new one.

GamStop vs other tools for responsible gambling

You have plenty of options to take time out from gambling. The operators encourage responsible gambling through different self-imposed limits, such as deposit limits, player limitations, game status remainder, time limit, etc.

Also, many organisations like GamStop, GamCare, and BeGambleAware provide support for gambling harms nationwide by imposing operator limits.

As per the PGSI, the moderate-risk gamblers rely on self-imposed limits on individual gambling sites. But low-risk and high-risk gamblers prefer operators’ limits imposed through GamStop self-exclusion.

Here are GamStop vs other tools available for controlled gambling.

GamStop

GamStop is a national self-exclusion scheme that helps prevent harmful gambling habits. Any 18+ player from the UK can register for free and take a time out from gambling for 6 months to 5 years.

When a player registers, it notifies the UK-based operators to block them from their sites and not send any marketing material. Your existing accounts are removed, and you are blocked from creating any new accounts. GamStop UK is the best solution for high-risk players as it’s effective on multiple websites.

Deposit limits

Low-risk players can opt for the deposit limit options provided by individual operators on their websites. Setting up the daily, weekly, and monthly deposit limits helps you stay on a budget. For beginners, deposit limits encourage responsible gambling habits and prevent them from being at financial risk.

Game status reminder

You can set up a game status reminder on individual gambling websites to practice time-outs. When enabled, pop-up notifications appear on your screen at certain intervals. Low-risk gamblers find this facility helpful to stay in check. The notification reminds you about your session hours. It also shows the total bet and payout amount so far.

Player limitations

Player limitation is another facility provided by individual operators to encourage responsible gambling. It allows you to self-exclude your account for a duration of 24 hours to indefinite. Medium-risk gamblers often benefit from applying player limitations.

If you have multiple accounts with an operator, you can specify the accounts you want to exclude and the ones you want to keep running. Operators also provide support and resources to the players facing gambling issues.

Time-outs

Some operators allow you to configure a timer on their website. When enabled, you’re automatically logged out after the set duration.

BeGambleAware

To help moderate and high-risk players, the non-profit organization GambleAware provides a handful of resources. It allows you to impose restrictions on multiple levels.

When you visit the official website, you’re introduced to multiple tools that help you:

• Register with GamStop to block all your gambling accounts.
• Install the blocking software on your devices that restricts access to gambling sites.
• Block your bank account from making any gambling transactions.
• Self-exclude from in-person casinos and betting shops.

GamCare

GamCare is the national gambling helpline in the UK. It provides extensive support and care for gambling harms. It suggests a blocking software, multiple self-exclusion options, and provides money management tips to help with your debts. It also provides self-help resources for a long-term impact. If you have been dealing with gambling problems for a long time, contact GamCare.

Support resources

If you need any support to come out of gambling harms, check out the resources below. You can also dial the 24/7 toll-free national gambling helpline number for instant help.

• GamStop: http://gamstop.co.uk
• GamCare: https://www.gamcare.org.uk/
• BeGambleAware: https://www.gambleaware.org/
• NHS gambling clinic: https://www.nhs.uk/
• National gambling helpline: 0808 8020 133