Self-exclusion: what it means and the 4 ways to arrange it

Self-exclusion is a voluntary arrangement that blocks you from gambling at one or more sites for a period you choose, from months to years. It exists because walking away is harder when an account stays open, and AJAG explains how the tool works, what it actually stops, and how you set it up in practice.

The mechanism behind self-exclusion

When you self-exclude, the gambling site closes your account and refuses any attempt to reopen it before the period ends. You cannot log in, deposit or place a bet. Marketing stops: no emails, no texts, no post. The site will not let you reverse the decision early, even if you ask.

The period is fixed at the start—six months, a year, five years or permanent. Once confirmed, the clock runs and the operator holds to it. The point is to remove the choice for long enough that other changes can take root.

What self-exclusion covers and what it does not

A self-exclusion applied to one gambling site affects that site only. If you hold accounts elsewhere, those stay open unless you close them separately. This is why national schemes exist: they let you exclude from many licensed sites at once, rather than contacting each one.

GamStop is the free national self-exclusion service for Great Britain. Registering with GamStop blocks access to every gambling site licensed by the Gambling Commission—casinos, betting, bingo, poker—in one go. The minimum period is six months; you can choose one year or five years instead. Once registered, participating sites will not accept you as a customer during that time.

Good to know: GamStop covers only sites licensed in Great Britain. It does not reach operators without that licence, nor does it affect the National Lottery or non-commercial gambling such as a private card game.

Four ways to arrange self-exclusion

1. Through the gambling site itself. Most licensed sites let you self-exclude directly from your account settings or by contacting customer support. State the period you want; the site will confirm and close the account immediately.
2. Via GamStop. Visit gamstop.co.uk, complete the short online form with your name, address, date of birth and email, then choose your exclusion length. The block starts within 24 hours and applies across all participating operators.
3. By visiting a premises in person. For betting shops, bingo halls or casinos with a physical location, you can ask to be excluded at the counter. Some chains share exclusion lists across their branches; ask when you register.
4. Using blocking software. Tools such as Gamban (gamban.com) and BetBlocker (betblocker.org) install on your devices and prevent access to gambling sites by blocking them at the network level. They work alongside self-exclusion and catch sites that fall outside a national scheme.

The practical side of excluding yourself

Before you self-exclude, withdraw any balance in your account. Once excluded, access to funds already held may be delayed while the operator processes the request. Write down the sites you use—check your email for account confirmations if you have forgotten any—and either self-exclude from each one or register with GamStop to cover them all.

Self-exclusion does not erase debts. Outstanding balances with the site or payments owed remain your responsibility, and the operator will continue to pursue them through the usual channels. The block prevents new gambling, not the settlement of old accounts.

Protecting devices others use

If you share a computer, tablet or phone with someone under 18, install parental-control software such as Net Nanny or Qustodio to prevent access to gambling content. Self-exclusion protects you; parental controls protect those around you.

Comparison of self-exclusion methods

What happens when the period ends

When a self-exclusion term finishes, the block lifts. GamStop does not renew automatically: if you want to remain excluded, log back in and register again before the original period expires. Individual operators vary—some will contact you as the date approaches, others will not.

In practice: the end of an exclusion is a high-risk moment. The urge may return sharply once access becomes possible again. Many people find it helpful to renew before the deadline or to have already put blocking software in place so that access remains difficult even after the formal exclusion ends.

When self-exclusion is breached

Occasionally an excluded person manages to open a new account at a site they have already excluded from, often by using a different email address or slight variations in personal details. If this happens, contact the operator immediately. Licensed sites are required to have systems that prevent this, and a breach of your exclusion should be reported so the new account is closed and any losses during that period are examined.

The Gambling Commission expects operators to refund net losses incurred while you were supposed to be excluded, though each case is assessed individually. Keep records of the exclusion confirmation and the dates of the new account.

Self-exclusion and the people around you

Excluding yourself affects more than your own access. If you have been borrowing money, missing commitments or lying about where funds have gone, those close to you will notice when the gambling stops—and often before. Learning how to stop gambling includes recognising that trust takes longer to rebuild than an exclusion takes to arrange.

Be direct: tell someone you trust that you have self-excluded. That person can help you stay accountable during the period and notice if behaviour that accompanied gambling—secrecy, defensiveness, late nights online—begins to return.

Support while you are excluded

Self-exclusion removes the opportunity to gamble; it does not remove the urge. Many people find the first weeks hardest, particularly if gambling filled time or provided escape from other difficulties. Structured support makes the difference between an exclusion that holds and one that feels like waiting.

GamCare offers free, confidential support at gamcare.org.uk and by phone on 0808 8020 133, available around the clock. BeGambleAware (begambleaware.org) provides online resources, forums and a directory of local services. For residential or intensive treatment, Gordon Moody (gordonmoody.org.uk) runs programmes across the UK.

Gambling is for people aged 18 and over. If someone under that age has access to a device you use, ensure parental controls are active and that no payment details are saved in browsers or apps.

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