Registering with Gamstop: the steps and the limits
Registering with Gamstop takes three steps: open the Register page on gamstop.co.uk, choose a period, and follow the form to the end. The block starts within 24 hours and cannot be cancelled during the period. The mistake to avoid is choosing a short period you may want to reverse, because the choice is final.
What you need
- A device and a few minutes in a quiet place.
- A decision on the period: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or 5 years with automatic renewal.
- The details the Gamstop form asks for. We have not listed them, because the form can change; the Register page is the source.
This page has no operator links and no advertising.
Step 1: Open the Register page
Action. Go to gamstop.co.uk/register. The service is run by The National Online Self Exclusion Scheme Limited.
Result. The registration form.
Mistake to avoid. Registering through a link in an email, message or advertisement. Type the address yourself or use the link above.
Step 2: Choose the period
Action. Choose 6 months, 1 year, 5 years, or 5 years with automatic renewal. The service is free, according to our notes from the Gamstop pages.
Result. A fixed exclusion period.
Mistake to avoid. Treating it as a pause you can end early. Gamstop says a registration cannot be cancelled during the period. When the period ends, the block stays until you ask Gamstop to lift it.
Step 3: Finish the form and wait for the block to start
Action. Complete the form. Gamstop is for people in the UK, covering Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Result. A block on your online accounts at licensed operators in Great Britain that take part. Participation is a licence condition for remote operators (SR 3.5.5); see the participation rule.
Mistake to avoid. Expecting an instant block. It can take up to 24 hours to come into force.
You can check whether an operator takes part on Gamstop's participating companies page, which showed an update dated 4 November 2026 when we read it.
What Gamstop does not cover
| Tool | What it covers | What we can state |
|---|---|---|
| Gamstop | Online accounts at participating licensees in Great Britain | Free; periods as above; start within 24 hours |
| MOSES | Betting shops | A separate scheme |
| SENSE | Casinos | A separate scheme |
| BISES | Bingo | A separate scheme |
| BetBlocker | Blocks gambling sites on a device | Free |
| Gamban | Blocks gambling sites on a device | Paid after a trial period |
| Bank blocks | Block gambling payments at your bank | Ask your bank; not checked here |
Gamstop does not make a site safe to use and it is not a licence check. See how to check a casino licence.
If you want to talk to someone first
- National Gambling Helpline (GamCare): 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, with chat and WhatsApp.
- Samaritans: 116 123, for urgent support.
- Emergency: 999.
- GambleAware offers support to people in Great Britain.
You can also read responsible gambling and staying in control at a live table, or set a deposit limit as a smaller step.
Quick answers
- How long does Gamstop self-exclusion last?
You choose the period when you register: 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, or 5 years with automatic renewal, according to the Gamstop About page we read on 6 November 2026.
- When does the block start?
Up to 24 hours after you register, according to Gamstop. Do not assume an account is blocked in the first minutes.
- Can you cancel Gamstop during the period?
No. Gamstop says a registration cannot be cancelled during the chosen period. Think about the period before you choose it.
- What happens when the period ends?
According to the Gamstop pages we read, the block stays in place until you ask Gamstop to lift it. It does not simply lapse.
- What does Gamstop not cover?
It covers online accounts at licensed operators that take part. Shops, casinos and bingo halls use other schemes, and blocking software and bank blocks cover other things. Details are in the table below.
- Is there support if you want to talk to someone?
Yes. The National Gambling Helpline (GamCare) is 0808 8020 133, free, 24 hours a day, with chat and WhatsApp. Samaritans is 116 123 and the emergency number is 999.