GAMSTOP and safer gambling tools explained

Last checked: 20 October 2026

If gambling is starting to feel like more than entertainment, there are free tools that can help. This guide explains the main ones.

What is GAMSTOP?

GAMSTOP is the UK’s national online self-exclusion scheme. It is free. When you register, you are blocked from gambling accounts on websites and apps of participating companies, which includes all online casinos licensed in Great Britain.

How long does it last?

You choose the exclusion period when you register:

Once your registration is complete, you cannot cancel the exclusion until the period ends. This is deliberate, because it protects you during a moment when you might want to change your mind. If you choose automatic renewal, you can only turn it off during the last six months of a five-year period.

What GAMSTOP does not cover

• Betting shops. GAMSTOP has a separate service for betting shops.
• Casinos without a UK licence. These sites are illegal for UK players and are not part of the scheme. They are also the sites with the least protection.
• Your devices. You can add blocking software to your phone or computer as an extra layer.

Other tools inside casinos

UK licensed casinos provide their own controls, which you can usually set up in your account settings:

• Deposit limits that cap how much you can pay in per day, week or month
• Time-outs for a short break, from a day to several weeks
• Reality checks that show how long you have been playing
• Account closure if you want to stop at one casino only

Warning signs

• Spending more than you planned or can afford
• Chasing losses
• Gambling to escape stress or low mood
• Hiding how much you play

Where to get help

• GamCare National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day
• BeGambleAware at begambleaware.org
• GAMSTOP at gamstop.co.uk

This website is for adults aged 18 and over. Gambling can be addictive.