Gambling
How do you block gambling sites and self-exclude?
Short answer
In Great Britain, register with GAMSTOP to block yourself from gambling websites and apps run by businesses licensed in Great Britain for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years. In the US, self-exclusion is run by state regulators, with programs in states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York. Add blocking software to your devices, and in the UK, ask your bank to block gambling payments.
Key takeaways
- GAMSTOP covers gambling websites and apps run by businesses licensed in Great Britain, and those businesses must take part.
- Separate UK schemes cover betting shops (GAMSTOP Betting Shops), casinos (SENSE) and bingo premises (BISES).
- US self-exclusion is state-run; New York, for example, offers one-, three- or five-year and lifetime periods.
- Many UK banks can block your account or debit card from gambling transactions.
- Self-exclusion depends partly on you: you are responsible for any attempt to get around a GAMSTOP exclusion.
How does GAMSTOP work?
GAMSTOP is Great Britain's online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme and has been available since April 2018. Once you register, you are prevented from using any gambling websites and apps run by businesses licensed in Great Britain for the period you choose. The NHS lists the options as 6 months, 1 year or 5 years, and GAMSTOP describes signing up as free.
All licensed gambling businesses must participate, and they must update their lists of self-excluded customers every 24 hours. When you self-exclude, a gambling business must close your account and return any money in it to you.
GAMSTOP only covers businesses licensed in Great Britain, and the Gambling Commission is clear that you are responsible for any actions you take to get around a GAMSTOP self-exclusion. That's why it's worth pairing it with the other tools below.
Can you self-exclude from betting shops, casinos and arcades in the UK?
Yes. The Gambling Commission lists free multi-operator schemes that let you make one request covering in-person gambling:
- Betting shops: call the GAMSTOP Betting Shops helpline on 0800 294 2060 to self-exclude from multiple bookmakers in your area.
- Casinos: SENSE (Self Enrolment National Self Exclusion) covers all licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain.
- Bingo: BISES (Bingo Industry Self-Exclusion Scheme) covers all licensed land-based bingo premises in Great Britain.
- Arcades and adult gaming centers: self-exclude in person at the premises, or call BACTA self-exclusion on 01482 441 142 (option 1) for advice.
How does self-exclusion work in the US?
In the US, self-exclusion programs are run by state gambling regulators, so what's covered and for how long varies by state. Three examples:
- Pennsylvania: you can ask to be excluded from legal gambling in casinos and off-site venues, online, at video gaming terminal (VGT) venues, or on fantasy contests. If you break the terms, winnings are confiscated and you may be cited for criminal trespass.
- New Jersey: you can self-exclude from all internet gaming and sports wagering, with minimum periods of one year or five years, including through your online player account.
- New York: self-excluded people are barred from pari-mutuel wagering, internet and account wagering, sports wagering, commercial casinos and video lottery games, for one, three or five years, or lifetime.
Can your bank block gambling payments?
In the UK, yes. According to the Gambling Commission, many banks now offer a gambling block that stops your bank account or debit card from being used for gambling transactions. Some add a delay: with HSBC's 'Cool Off Period', you can lift the restriction, but transactions are still declined until the period ends. In the US, ask your bank or card issuer whether it can block gambling transactions.
How do you block gambling sites on your phone or computer?
The Gambling Commission describes two kinds of software: gambling-specific blocking software, designed to block gambling websites, and general blocking software, which blocks a wider range of sites and can be used to set permissions or parental controls. The NHS lists Gamban as one tool that blocks access to gambling websites and apps on your devices.
NICE also suggests blocking gambling marketing. You can't remove social media ads entirely, but the Gambling Commission notes you can limit them or hide them from your feed. Each tool covers a different route to gambling, so consider combining them: self-exclusion, a bank block, and software on every device you use.
How Vow can help
Vow doesn't block gambling sites, but it can back up the blocks you set. When an urge comes, Craving Shield (Premium) guides you through a ~3-minute urge-surfing timer while your personal reason for quitting resurfaces, and discreet notifications keep sensitive habit names off your lock screen. The app also tracks your streak and the money you no longer spend.
Sources
Each source below was read when this answer was reviewed. Open a source to see the passages the answer relies on.
UK Gambling Commission — Self-exclusion with GAMSTOPgamblingcommission.gov.uk
GAMSTOP is an online multi-operator self-exclusion scheme and has been available since April 2018.
All gambling businesses must participate in this scheme
They must also update their lists of self-excluded consumers every 24 hours.
You are responsible for any actions you take designed to get around any self-exclusion registered with GAMSTOP.
Open the sourceUK Gambling Commission — Free multi operator and national self-exclusion schemesgamblingcommission.gov.uk
Once registered, you will be prevented from using any gambling websites and apps run by gambling businesses licensed in Great Britain, for a period of your choosing.
You can choose to self-exclude via a multi operator self-exclusion scheme.
Call the GAMSTOP BETTING SHOPS help line to self-exclude from multiple bookmakers in your area. 0800 294 2060
The SENSE (Self Enrolment National Self Exclusion) scheme offers self-exclusion from all licensed land-based casinos in Great Britain.
The BISES (Bingo Industry Self-Exclusion Scheme) offers self-exclusion from all licensed land-based bingo premises across Great Britain.
If you want to self-exclude from one or more Adult gaming centres, High street arcades ... you can do so in person at the premises.
If you would like advice telephone BACTA self-exclusion on 01482 441 142 and select option 1.
Open the sourceNHS — Help for problems with gamblingnhs.uk
sign up for GamStop – this stops you being able to use gambling websites and apps for 6 months, 1 year or 5 years
install Gamban – this blocks access to gambling websites and apps on your devices
The National Gambling Helpline (run by GamCare) – call 0808 8020 133 for free 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Open the sourceUK Gambling Commission — Self-exclusiongamblingcommission.gov.uk
close your account and return any money in your account to you
Open the sourcePennsylvania Gaming Control Board (Responsible Play PA) — Self-Exclusionresponsibleplay.pa.gov
Self-exclusion allows a person to request to be excluded from legalized gaming activities within a casino and offsite venues, online, at VGT establishments or on fantasy contests.
Individuals who violate their self-exclusion terms will have any winnings confiscated and may receive a citation for criminal trespass.
Open the sourceNew Jersey Office of Attorney General, Division of Gaming Enforcement — Self Exclusion Programnjoag.gov
Self-exclusion from all Internet Gaming and Sports Wagering activities. Minimum self-exclusion periods are one year or five years.
Self-exclusion from all Internet gaming activities including sports wagering with signup through your online player account.
Open the sourceNew York State Gaming Commission — Voluntary Self-Exclusiongaming.ny.gov
Self-excluded individuals in New York State are prohibited from on- and off-track pari-mutuel wagering, internet and account wagering, sports wagering, commercial casinos, video lottery games
Individuals seeking to self-exclude may select from the following durations: One year, Three year, Five years, Lifetime
Open the sourceUK Gambling Commission — Block gambling payments with your bankgamblingcommission.gov.uk
They do this by blocking your bank account or debit card which stops the account from being used for gambling transactions.
customers can lift a restriction but transactions will still be declined until the period has ended
Open the sourceUK Gambling Commission — View playing history and restrict or block gambling activitygamblingcommission.gov.uk
Gambling-specific blocking software: These are designed to block gambling websites
General blocking software: These are designed to block a range of websites and can be used to set permissions or parental controls.
Although is is not possible to completely remove adverts on social media platforms, there are ways in which you can limit them or hide them from your feed.
Open the sourceNICE guideline NG248 (via NCBI Bookshelf) — Gambling-related harms: identification, assessment and managementncbi.nlm.nih.gov
blocking marketing messages
Open the sourceNational Council on Problem Gambling — NCPG Adopts 1-800-MY-RESET as New National Problem Gambling Helpline Number (January 29, 2026)ncpgambling.org
The National Problem Gambling Helpline™ is available 24/7, is free and confidential, and provides support and referrals to local resources.
Open the sourceNational Institute of Mental Health — Help for Mental Illnessesnimh.nih.gov
Call or text 988 or start a chat online to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Open the sourceNHS — Where to get urgent help for mental healthnhs.uk
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans
Open the source
This page is general information, not medical advice, and it does not replace care from a qualified professional. If you are in immediate danger, call your local emergency number. Vow is not a medical service.