Everything You Need to Know About GamStop UK Self-Exclusion Scheme & How To Get Around GamStop
In 2018 the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited company started the multi-operator self-exclusion scheme which we now know as GAMSTOP. As part of the wider movement TalkBanStop, it’s mandatory for all UK-licensed online gambling websites and apps and since it launched, over half a million UK residents dealing with gambling addiction have made use of it.
What is GamStop
Gamstop is the UK’s national online self-exclusion scheme which every online gambling operator licensed in Great Britain is connected to. The idea is that if you decide your gambling’s getting problematic, you can sign yourself up on GAMSTOP and then your access to all your currently open casino and betting accounts will be blocked and you’ll be unable to create new accounts. You won’t need to pay anything. The scheme is funded by the government and is free for players who would like to use it.
The gambling sites don’t have direct access to the information within the GAMSTOP program, they only get a warning if someone who’s self-excluded tries to log in or sign up with them so as to be able to block your access to gambling services online.
Are There Any Casinos Not on GamStop
The GAMSTOP scheme operated by the National Online Self-Exclusion Scheme Limited company is, as the name of implies, an online-based UK national program. In other words, it covers online casinos and betting sites holding a UK Gambling license. But it doesn’t include the land-based gambling businesses, though. They fall under different self-exclusion programmes, like the GamStop Betting Shops and so on.
Of course, the exclusion via GamStop applies to online casinos licensed by the UKGC. The locally licensed gaming operators must take part in the program. But this doesn’t apply to the non UK casino sites. That’s where their nickname (non Gamstop casinos) comes from. They’re licensed by other gambling regulators, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming Control Board, Anjouan Gaming Commission and so on.
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TalkBanStop and Free Tools to Use Alongside GamStop
The TalkBanStop program includes three tools which are available for free across the UK to help players who’re battling gambling addiction start on their way towards recovery.
The ‘Talk’ part is related to the free National Gambling Helpline operated by GamCare which offers confidential help at all times. The ‘ban’ part is related to the GamBan blocking software which UK players can use for free through the GamCare treatment services. And, of course, ‘Stop’ is related to the opportunity for free Gamstop self-exclusion registration which you can make with a few clicks online.
Other Ways to Take a Break From Gambling Aside from the GamStop Block
The UK Gambling Commission says that all UK licensed casino operators need to have several other tools you can use to take a break from gambling. Those include:
- time out periods
- operator based self exclusion
The time out feature is a tool you can use to block your access to a given casino site only for a shorter time frame, ranging from 24 hours to six months.
GamStop vs Operator Self-Exclusion
All casino and betting brands licensed for online gambling in the UK (by the authorities in Great Britain) offer you their own, operator-based, self-exclusion schemes which are separate from GamStop. Those are useful if you want to take a break from playing with particular sites only. Using the self-exclusion tools, you’ll be able to block your access to all the sister brands under a given company while you will still be able to play with casinos under different owners.
That’s, of course, the main difference to the coverage that GamStop provides you with because if you use the national-level scheme, you’d restrict your access to all the online gambling platforms under the UKGC rules, regardless of which company operates them.
How to Get Around GamStop
GamStop users who’ve excluded at an impulse, not because they’re having serious gambling issues, or all players who’ve had their exclusion expire but have found themselves unable to get their access to UKGC casinos for some reason might be looking for a way to get around the block.
Now, that’s something which cannot happen across the sites that GamStop covers. Which means that if you want to get around GamStop, you’ll have to play with the casino sites which are licensed abroad, be it in Malta, Curacao and so on.
How to Cancel GamStop
The GAMSTOP self exclusion period cannot be canceled in advance. Once your registration is confirmed, you’ll need to wait till the period you’ve chosen has elapsed. Do keep in mind that if you want to start playing once more, you’ll have to request that the block get lifted; otherwise it will be continued automatically for additional seven years.
Can You Remove GamStop
The gambling block via GamStop can’t be removed before the chosen period has elapsed. You’ll need to wait through the full six months, a year or five years prior to be able to stop your exclusion. But it will not be removed automatically and you’ll need to request it be lifted via following the steps outlined on the GamStop website.
How to Remove GamStop Exclusion
To remove your online gambling self-exclusion, you’ll have to wait until it’s expired and then reach out to the team of GamStop directly via online chat or through their free phone line at 0800 138 6518. You can contact them from 10 AM till 8 PM every day. You can check whether you’re eligible to do so by logging into your GamStop Online account. If you don’t have access to it, you can reach out to the GamStop support team to change your log in details.
Once the exclusion is removed, you’ll need to wait through the 24 hours cooling-off period before you’re able to log into your old casino accounts or sign up for new ones.
How to Bypass GamStop
There are several ways through which self-excluded customers can bypass the GamStop block:
- Via non Gamstop casinos: Those are online casino platforms which are licensed by regulators other than the UK Gambling Commission which means they fall outside the scope of the GamStop scheme.
- Using VPN: Some VPN friendly casino sites allow you to access various forms of gambling which are restricted by the local regulations through the use of a virtual private network which masks your IP.
- Via crypto casinos: Another way to go around GamStop is by signing up with crypto casino sites which are usually licensed offshore and come with lower to none KYC requirements, especially if you register via MetaMask.
If you do want to play with the UK-licensed casinos, though, you’ll need to wait untill your self-exclusion period has expired and then de-register from GamStop.
How Does GamStop Work
The national self-exclusion scheme works by matching the details you’ve provided during your GamStop registration with any existing accounts across the licensed online gambling sites operating under the UK Gamblint Commission. And if you try to log into one of them, this will trigger a warning for the gambling operator and they’ll not permit you to access any of their casino and betting features.
In the same manner the GamStop exclusion prevents you from signing up for any new gambling accounts. But for this to happen, you’ll need to first set up your self-exclusion with GamStop.
How to Register with Gamstop UK and Details Required for GamStop Registration
To register with Gamstop, you need to open their website at Gamstop.co.uk and find the Register section. You’ll see the Start button which you need to click on to get started. First step is providing an email where you’ll get a verification message with a link you should click on. Once you’ve done so, you’ll see the registration form which requires you to fill in:
- first and last name
- date of birth
- email address
- phone number
- postal address
You’ll have to verify your identity, too, and to do so, you can use a passport, driving license, citizen card, word ID or travel card, as long as the document shows your date of birth. The team of GamStop might run a soft credit check for verification purposes but it will not show up on your credit file. They might also ask you a few questions, once more, to verify your identity.
And then, once you finish off the registration, it will take into effect within 24 hours on all casino sites, online sportsbooks and land-based betting shops under the GamStop Group.
A Quick Summary on What Gambling Sites GamStop Covers
The GamStop program includes:
- online casino websites
- online bookmakers
- online bingo sites
- mobile gambling apps
- other online platforms providing any sort of gambling regulated under the local authorities
For the block to take into effect, though, the site/app needs to be operating under an UK-licensed business.
Additional Self-Exclusion Programs Under the UK Gambling Commission
If you’d like to extend the exclusion to cover off-line based gambling sites, you can do so via several other programs:
- GamStop Betting Shops covers all the land-based bookmakers
- The SENSE program covers all land-based casinos in Great Britain
- The BISES scheme is designed to offer self-exclusion across UK land-based bingo halls
The BACTA and the SmartEXCLUSION programs, on the other hand, provide you with the chance to self-exclude from all Adult Gaming Centres, High Street Arcades, as well as Motorway Service Areas.
Can You Undo GamStop Once You’ve Self-Excluded
The GamStop exclusion cannot be reversed. Once you’ve signed up for the program, you’ll need to wait until the full period expires before you’re able to return to gambling with the UK-licensed casino and betting sites.
How Long Does GamStop Last
The Gamstop block can last for either:
- six months
- one year
- five years
But there’s one important caveat. If you don’t request that the self exclusion expires once the period you’ve signed up for elapses, there’s an auto-renewal period which lasts for further seven years.
How to Avoid GamStop and Responsible Gambling Tips
Avoiding GamStop requires avoiding getting into some bad gambling habits which can then lead to impulse control and potential addiction. Which means that you need to practice responsible gambling online and here are some tips which can help you with that:
Consider gambling as a source of fun only; not as a source of income.
- Don’t think that you’re guaranteed any winnings.
- Set up a budget and don’t spend more than what you can afford to lose.
- Always gamble only with money you actually have; don’t play on credit.
- Make sure gambling doesn’t interfere with your professional life or personal relationships.
- Don’t use gambling as a way to cope with anger, being sad, feeling bored, etc.
- Don’t chase losses.
To make it easier to control your spendings, you can also make use of the various deposit limits and other responsible gambling tools which the online casino sites offer you.
Where to Find Help If You’re Dealing With Gambling Addiction?
If you’re considering turning towards the GamStop program to stop gambling addiction, remember that you’ve got other resources at your disposal to combat your habits, too.
There are many help organizations which you can turn to like GamCare including via the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 80 20 133 or the Samaritans (through calling 116 123 or texting them SHOUT at 852 58). Various help services and treatment (including with in-patient therapy) are available through the NHS, too.
