Two Pillars of Safer Gambling in Britain
GamCare and GAMSTOP are perhaps the two most important names in UK safer gambling, yet they do very different jobs. GamCare is a charity that has provided confidential support, information and counselling for anyone affected by gambling harms since 1997, operating the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, which is free and available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Discover further information on view all offers.
GAMSTOP, by contrast, is a single self-exclusion scheme that lets you block yourself from every UK-licensed online gambling operator at once. Launched in April 2018 by the Remote Gambling Association and now run as an independent body, it covers all sites holding a Gambling Commission licence , and every one of them is legally required to participate.
Together they form a practical safety net: one offers human support and treatment, the other enforces a hard barrier between you and the sites. Understanding how each works helps you use them at the right moment.
GamCare’s services are confidential and non-judgemental, whether you are worried about your own play or someone else’s. The charity also runs group chat sessions through its forum and provides structured treatment across England, Scotland and Wales.
How GAMSTOP Self-Exclusion Works in Practice
Registering with GAMSTOP is free and takes around five minutes online. You choose an exclusion period of six months, one year or five years. Once active, the block applies to every UK-licensed operator, and you cannot reverse it early , the scheme is designed to prevent impulsive decisions.
Operators must check the register before allowing deposits, and most check at registration and login too. Breaching the terms is difficult: creating a new account with false details may be treated as fraud, and any winnings linked to a breach can be withheld.
After your exclusion ends, you must actively opt out , the block does not simply lapse. This pause gives you time to reflect, and GamCare advisers can help you plan what happens next, including setting deposit limits with operators.
Figures published by GAMSTOP show more than 400,000 registrations since launch, with tens of thousands of new sign-ups each year. The average exclusion period chosen is around 12 months, though the five-year option is increasingly popular among those seeking a longer break.
What the Evidence Says About Effectiveness
Research commissioned by GamCare indicates that around 70% of people who use its counselling services report reduced gambling or complete abstinence six months later. The helpline handles tens of thousands of calls and chats annually, and its online forum has grown steadily as a first point of contact.
Self-exclusion evidence is similarly encouraging. Studies of GAMSTOP users suggest that the majority report lower gambling expenditure and fewer symptoms of harm during their exclusion period. Combining the two , a hard block plus ongoing support , produces the strongest outcomes, which is why GamCare refers clients to GAMSTOP and vice versa.
One important limitation: GAMSTOP covers only UK-licensed sites. Unlicensed operators are outside its reach, so taking advantage of safer gambling tools at the sites you use , such as the popular no deposit bonus offers, free spins and £10 no deposit promotions found on this site , alongside self-exclusion gives fuller protection.
If gambling is affecting your money, relationships or mood, contact GamCare free on 0808 8020 133 or register with GAMSTOP at gamstop.co.uk. Both are free, confidential and built for UK players.