Guidance to licensing authorities Self-exclusion
If you are applying a product Self-Exclusion, unless all three exclusions of Sky Bet, Sky Gaming and Sky Poker have been applied, this exclusion will apply only to you Sky Betting and Gaming Account. Remember – Once you enter into a Self-Exclusion this cannot be removed from your account. A Self-Exclusion can be set between a period of 6 months and 5 years, or permanently (only available when selecting an ‘all product’ Self-Exclusion).
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The tools that existed before your exclusion still work, and using them from day one establishes a framework that the pre-exclusion version of you might not have had in place. Your exclusion remains in place until you actively request removal. You cannot cancel, pause, or shorten it during the active period, regardless of your circumstances.
After you request removal, there is a mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period before your exclusion is actually lifted. To end your GamStop self-exclusion after the period has expired, you must contact GamStop directly. You will not be automatically re-enrolled on gambling sites.
Joining the SENSE scheme is a straightforward process designed to support individuals in their decision to self-exclude from UK land-based casinos. GamStop only covers UK-licensed operators, which means offshore gambling sites may still be accessible. Launched in 2018, it’s operated by an independent charity and covers all UK Gambling Commission-licensed online gambling operators. GamStop is a free service designed to help you take a break from online gambling with UK-licensed operators. After the 24-hour implementation period, the registrant should be unable to log in to any UKGC-licensed gambling site, create a new account, or receive marketing communications from participating operators.
You can request self-exclusion from individual casinos or groups of casinos by speaking to the customer services team. By registering with MOSES, you can exclude yourself from all licensed betting shops within a chosen radius of your home, workplace, or regular route. Contact each operator’s customer support team if you encounter difficulties accessing your funds. However, other online lottery betting services that hold a UKGC gambling licence will be covered. Understanding the practical impact of GamStop on your existing betting accounts is important for anyone considering registration.
You can also email us at , or use the form above. First of all, if you aren’t sure whether your gambling is problematic or not, you could read our post on the signs that you may have a gambling problem. What are the signs that self-exclusion may be helpful for you? This can be a difficult decision when you’ve been grappling with how you feel about your gambling.
There is also self-exclusion as a responsible gambling tool for online gambling, with 85.63% of casinos offering it, for example. If you are self-excluded from UK casinos and are looking for legal online gambling options, you might consider playing at online casinos not on GamStop. One such important tool is SENS, a self-exclusion scheme that allows players to voluntarily restrict their access to gambling for a certain period of time. GamStop is the UK’s free, national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling.
Help and support
It is mandated by the UK Gambling Commission and covers over 250 licensed operators. Gambling Therapy provides free online support for anyone affected by problem gambling, including live chat, email support, and a peer support forum. GamCare offers free counselling, support groups, and an online forum for people affected by gambling. Whether you use GamStop or choose to play at non GamStop casinos, responsible gambling should always be your priority. This means you can still visit land-based casinos, betting shops, bingo halls, and amusement arcades.
- This guide explains exactly how to register, what it does and does not block, how long the exclusion lasts, and what comprehensive support looks like beyond GAMSTOP alone.
- A cooling-off period is a shorter-term option compared to self-exclusion.
- If this fails, the operator should contact you to arrange an alternative withdrawal method.
- As you self-exclude it is advisable to also limit exposure to gambling advertising online.
- GAMSTOP is a free service that enables you to Self-Exclude from participating online gambling companies licensed in Great Britain.
- If you want to take a break from gambling in a British casino, you can do so directly from this website by clicking the red button at the top of either this, or any, page.
Once your Self-Exclusion period has ended and if you wish to reopen your account/ obtain access to the product/s from which you Self-Excluded, you must contact our customer services team. All real money gambling sites at Gamblermaster are regulated and licensed by the UK Gambling Commission. Yes—all UK-licensed arms of major operators (e.g. PokerStars UK, Betfair, Sky Vegas) are connected to GamStop.
All non-remote operators who are premises licence holders in the arcade, betting, bingo and not on gamstop casino sectors are required to participate in a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme. GamStop covers all operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), which includes over 250 online gambling companies. GamStop is the UK’s free national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling.
These are built directly into your account settings and can be activated at any time. Ultimately, self-exclusion should be seen as one component of a comprehensive strategy to promote responsible gambling. However, the system is not without its limitations, and ongoing efforts are needed to improve enforcement, coordination across jurisdictions, and access to supportive resources. Self-exclusion is a valuable and necessary tool in the fight against problem gambling.
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These changes are part of the account restriction. Self exclusion affects bonuses and promotions. The exact process depends on the platform’s policies. Your account remains in place, but its functionality is limited.
BetBlocker offers free software to block gambling sites and apps. These additional steps can enhance your efforts to maintain control over your gambling habits and support your journey towards responsible gambling. Self-exclusion is not a standalone solution and works best when combined with other support measures like counselling and financial advice.
One form covers slots, casino tables, bingo, poker, and sports betting across the entire licensed market. There are hundreds of UK-licensed casinos, and the moment you ban yourself from one, three others appear in your search results. DISCLAIMER – All offers, promotions, and bonuses featured on this site are governed by the terms and conditions of the respective casino operators and are subject to change. As a reminder, UK-licensed gambling sites are required to follow strict regulations set out by the UK Gambling Commission to protect players. It’s a commitment to block oneself from accessing gambling sites, aiming to prevent further losses. Have you ever wondered if you could reclaim money lost while gambling online after signing up for self-exclusion?
There are no restrictions based on the severity of your gambling habits. This is a critical decision because once you confirm, you cannot shorten your chosen period. Providing accurate information is essential for the scheme to work effectively. GamStop does not operate through any third-party websites or mobile applications. We explain how GamStop works, what it covers, who is eligible, and what your options are if you have registered and want to return to gambling. It’s a practical, evidence-based tool that gives you time and space — and that’s exactly what recovery often requires.
For a comprehensive guide to protecting yourself at offshore casinos, see our how to stay safe guide. The service is available globally and is particularly useful for UK players gambling at offshore sites. BeGambleAware.org provides information, advice, and support to anyone affected by problem gambling.
York City Walls is an independent guide to betting sites not registered with GamStop. If you are struggling with gambling, free confidential support is available 24/7. Overview of self-exclusion tools and options beyond the GamStop scheme. All self-exclusion schemes in the UK are confidential. These blocks prevent gambling transactions from being processed on your debit card.
This means that nothing in these Terms excludes or limits our liability for death or personal injury arising from our negligence, or for fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation. We do not exclude or limit in any way our liability to you where it would be unlawful to do so. You may print off one copy, and may download extracts, of any page(s) from our site which you are authorised to access, provided that such prints and downloads are for your personal and non-commercial use only. This clause shall not apply insofar as (but only to the extent that) we are unable to exclude or limit text or data mining or web scraping activity by contract under the laws which are applicable to us.
When you register with GamStop, your personal details (name, date of birth, email, address, and known usernames) are securely distributed to all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators. If you select 5 years, you will be excluded from all UKGC-licensed online gambling for the full five years with no option to reduce this timeframe. GamStop operates through a centralised database that shares your personal information with all UKGC-licensed online gambling operators. GamStop is the UK’s free national online self-exclusion scheme, designed to help individuals who wish to restrict their online gambling activity. If you have completed your GamStop self-exclusion period and want to return to betting on your own terms, these are our top-ranked non-GamStop operators for UK players.
It is considered an important harm-reduction strategy and is often used in conjunction with other measures such as counseling, financial restrictions, and support groups. It is particularly effective for those struggling with gambling addiction or those who want to take proactive steps to prevent potential gambling-related problems. Gambleaware are another charity that deals with gambling addiction and they have a lot of information and advice on their website. The company is a registered charity and the support team are all trained, experienced and professional. There are also support chat rooms, face to face counselling services, and they will have knowledge of where you can go for help in your specific area.
Moreover, we’ll address questions surrounding how to get around SENSE self-exclusion and highlight non-UK casinos not on SENSE, providing a holistic view that encompasses both those within the scheme and alternatives outside it. Furthermore, where a single individual self-excludes from multiple operators they will be counted as an individual self-exclusion for each operator, therefore this data cannot be used to assimilate the total number of self-excluded individuals. Self-exclusion data is provided to us by gambling operators via their Regulatory Returns. If you manage to access gambling despite your GamStop registration, don’t feel ashamed—this can happen, particularly with offshore sites. When operators close your accounts due to GamStop registration, they should return any remaining balance to you. SENSE is a multi-operator self-exclusion scheme for land-based gambling venues.
If you think self-exclusion could work for you, make sure you exclude yourself from all the places where you may be tempted to gamble. Responsibility for sticking with this lies with you, but you can expect the gambling operator to do all they reasonably can to help you. This means you will be refused service in the venues and on the sites you have excluded from. As you self-exclude any remaining cash balance will be transferred to your bank account or via another payment if necessary.
