GamStop is a self-exclusion scheme designed for players in the UK, specifically those from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is a voluntary self-exclusion program that players can enroll, to take a break from online gambling, primarily websites licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
All UKGC-licensed sites are obliged to join GamStop and help players effectively self-exclude from real-money gambling products. Here’s a quick overview of the registration process and what it means once you are on GamStop.
Are All UK Players Can Register In GamStop?
Yes, GamStop is for all UK players looking to put brakes on their gambling activity online. Note that you can still play casino games provided by websites outside the UK. Players can also play in land-based UK casinos. If you want to self-exclude from offline gambling halls, you can register for the SENSE (Self-Enrollment National Self-Exclusion) program, the GamStop equivalent of land-based casinos. However, no law prohibits gambling on non-UKGC sites. Players can still find casinos, not on GamStop, and use them to get around GamStop self-exclusion. Still, such offers come with various drawbacks, so it is always important to review each thoroughly before signing up.
If you registered by mistake, you can contact the GamStop customer support team within 24 hours to cancel the scheme, although it is unlikely that this will be possible. The only option then is to wait out your term or find offshore platforms that welcome players on GamStop. The self-exclusion scheme only applies to UKGC casino sites, but many other credible gambling regulators exist, such as Curacao, Malta, Alderney, the US, and Canada.
If you want to block access to all online gambling sites, including those licensed abroad, the best options are casino-blocking apps. These are advanced applications that detect and block access to gambling material, including online casinos and adverts. Some are free, but most require a premium. Like GamStop, these apps allow players to choose the self-exclusion term, usually between six months and five years. Some of the best GamStop alternatives include Gamblock, Gamban, Gamcare, Betfilter, and Net Nanny.
GamStop Sign up Procedure
The GamStop sign-up process is dauntless and only takes a few minutes to complete. Thousands of players from the UK already registered there, and the number is growing. To get started, visit the GamStop official website and read the existing information. You can check out the list of all participating companies to determine if the casinos you are currently playing on are part of the program. If the site isn’t part of GamStop, you can consider other self-exclusion options mentioned above (Gamban, Gamblock, Net Nanny, etc.). GamStop recommends that you provide enough details during registration to make the scheme effective. The following information is needed during registration:
Your name and date of birth
Your current postcode and address, as well as addresses for places you have lived in the past
Your current email address and any other you have used in the past
Your current mobile number and any you have used in the past
To register, click on Sign Up on the registration page and proceed to provide the required information. Once you are registered, GamStop will send a confirmation email informing you that you are now part of players blocked from accessing UKGC licensed gambling sites. The exclusion won’t apply for the next 24 hours, after which your accounts with any UK online casino will be suspended.
The minimum self-exclusion period is six months, but players can choose a year or five years, as desired. After registration is complete, players must wait for the entire self-exclusion term before regaining access to UK casino sites. Note that GamStop isn’t responsible for returning any funds that are held in casino accounts. As such, players have to contact the casinos directly and request any pending payments.
Conclusion
Are you ready to take a leave from online gambling? While betting is a worldwide hobby, it comes with various concerns. Authorities warn people that players might suffer compulsive gambling, leaving them unable to control their habits. GamStop is designed to help UK players voluntarily seek help and self-exclude online gambling for at least six months.
Nonetheless, if you registered by mistake, there are various ways around the GamStop scheme. Just make sure you review all non GamStop casinos and choose those with a growing reputation for safety, certified fair games, huge bonuses, secure payments, and exceptional customer support.
